News - Community Heritage Partners

What's New @ Community Heritage Partners

APRIL 10, 2007

Eugene Aleci has been engaged by the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority as market design advisor for the Carlisle Central Farmers' Market. The newly-founded public market is scheduled to open in late 2007 in a vacant, 22,000 SF building on North Hanover Street in the Borough of Carlisle. (read full press release)

OCTOBER 16, 2006

Community Heritage Partners was awarded a contract to prepare a redevelopment plan for a new Portland Public Market in Portland, ME. The project is sponsored by the Portland Downtown District (PDD) and funded by the Maine Department of Agriculture following the closure of the previous Portland Public Market after years of struggle. (read full press release)

Major Projects:

The Stevens-Smith Historic Site has been re-envisioned as the Stevens-Smith Interpretive Center and Historic Precinct. Although still a working name, this indicates that we are taking a more total environment approach to the development. The project now involves six historic buildings and plans for an entirely new structure, the Interpretive and Educational Center, to occupy the vacant lot across from the new Convention Center on East Vine Street. The Interpretive Center will be a thoroughly modern educational environment, featuring museum and performance spaces, cafés and restaurants, and streetscape improvements. This project draws on all the elements of the firm’s strengths and interests: history and heritage; community interests and architectural design; town planning and development of historic buildings; preservation and contemporary design.

Planning and development for the New Public Market project in Portland, Maine is well underway, with Community Heritage Partners gathering feedback from the Portland community at public forums and through public opinion surveys. Read more about downtown Portland revitalization at www.portlandmaine.com.

Exterior restoration for the New Ressler Mill Foundation Cultural Heritage Center took major steps forward. This first phase of the multi-year construction project is currently under way. By Spring 2007, the early architectural character of this 1835 farmhouse and commercial building will be restored for all to see. Future phases will involve new site access and landscaping improvements, a renovated interior to accommodate the Foundation’s museum, research center, and community educational and meeting space program for this historic building. www.resslermill.com

A New Development Vision for the Haldeman Mansion and surrounding site in Locust Grove, Lancaster County, is the latest request for Community Heritage Partners consultation from the Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society. After many years of guiding the site’s architectural restoration, Community Heritage Partners will now assist with a plan for development to sustain the site and its historic architecture, and make it a revitalized resource for community heritage. A new heating and cooling system is also now partially installed.

The Cooper School Development Feasibility Analysis and Plan for Development in Shenandoah, PA was recently completed. Community Heritage Partners’ feasibility analysis and report gave the people of Shenandoah an exciting vision for their future. The report now in the hands of the Borough of Shenandoah, is being used to “sell” the building’s development potential to the broader community, and to build support among potential users and funding sources.

New signage and plans for future expansion to upper floor eating and meeting rooms are under development for La Dolce Vita Bakery and Café on North Duke Street in downtown Lancaster.

Completed Preservation Plan for an early Oil Heritage Region building, which was the original office for the Egbert Oil Company.

Community Heritage Partners’ office side yard has been transformed from an under-utilized patch of grass to a new urban courtyard. Office conferences and lunchtimes have never been better!

Residential Master Planning and Schematic Plans for Additions and Restoration are well-underway for an 18th century stone farmhouse complex between Manheim and Mount Joy in Lancaster County. With the overall complex master plan now determined, our next step will be to develop the architectural details of the new additions and the restoration plans for the historic portion. Along with residential spaces and guest rooms, this expansion will house work-at-home office spaces, and a work studio for creative live greenery fabrications, along with a large garage with woodworking shop.

Structural Stabilization and Restoration for 18th century Stone House has been completed for the Penn-Laurel Girl Scout Council at Camp Furnace Hills in far northern Lancaster County. This was an interesting project that involved on-site load-testing of the antique roof structure before designing a visually discrete reinforcement system.

New signage was erected for Crossroads Mennonite Church at S. Duke and Church Streets on South Duke Street in downtown Lancaster. Along with the sign designs, we provided the church with technical information on how to retain their slate roofing, and protect their sanctuary against water leakage through worn-out metal flashings.

Residential conversion planning is in its initial stages for a 20th century dairy barn at the seaside near Rome, Italy. Our client is an internationally-recognized, award-winning photo-journalist and his family.

New design plans will soon be underway for a private family vacation house on a wooded site overlooking an ocean inlet near Kennebunkport, Maine. Our clients are a professional couple with three young daughters.

Community Heritage Partners in the local community:

Principal Gene Aleci joins the Community Advisory Board of Franklin and Marshall College’s Local Economy Center, a non-profit research group based whose research and analysis supports effective, inclusive, and sustainable economic-development strategies.

CityWest Neighbors, a Lancaster neighborhood association, was formed over the last two years, with Community Heritage Partners assists in various aspects of neighborhood planning.

Further development of Civic Action Network for the Built Environment (CANBE) initiative, a coalition of citizens concerned about the quality of life and preservation of the historic built environment in urban Lancaster.

Aleci continues to serve as Professional Advisor to the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County. A handful of Lancaster’s many professionals have been selected by the Trust for their knowledge and experience in saving and revitalizing historic places. Aleci brings his expertise in development and adaptive use of historic buildings as well as his extensive knowledge of the technical aspects of preservation.

Aleci assists Franklin and Marshall faculty with “Greening of the College Campus" a project aimed at encouraging sustainable design and environmental responsibility in new campus planning and administrative decision-making.

Community Heritage Partners assists the Franklin and Marshall College Archivist and Library with conservation of Mercer Tile Fireplace and Pavings

New Addition to Community Heritage Partners' Team:

In April 2006, Benjamin Asher Samberg joined Community Heritage Partners as Assistant Architect. Ben has been working on many projects with us, but has been particularly focused on developing the 3D graphic visualizations for the Stevens-Smith Historic Site and Precinct.

Other projects and recent publications:

Aleci study tour opens up ancient Jewish catacombs under Rome’s Appian Way and captures the City’s early foundations. http://rome.contexttravel.com/static/rom_catacombs.php?PHPSESSID=
f132957950d508095eda59bb254de4c3

Aleci acts as editorial advisor to Primo Magazine, an English-language publication on Italian lifestyle and culture, for an article on urban renewal and eminent domain.

Aleci contributes an article entitled “Marketplace and Townscape” on Lancaster’s Central Market for an issue focused on “Food, Space and Place,” in Slow Food International’s journal, SLOW, based in Bra, Italy. The article was published in 7 different languages.

	What's New @ Community Heritage Partners APRIL 10, 2007 Eugene Aleci has been engaged by the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority as market design advisor for the Carlisle Central Farmers' Market. The newly-founded public market is scheduled to open in late 2007 in a vacant, 22,000 SF building on North Hanover Street in the Borough of Carlisle. (read full press release) OCTOBER 16, 2006 Community Heritage Partners was awarded a contract to prepare a redevelopment plan for a new Portland Public Market in Portland, ME. The project is sponsored by the Portland Downtown District (PDD) and funded by the Maine Department of Agriculture following the closure of the previous Portland Public Market after years of struggle. (read full press release) Major Projects: The Stevens-Smith Historic Site has been re-envisioned as the Stevens-Smith Interpretive Center and Historic Precinct. Although still a working name, this indicates that we are taking a more total environment approach to the development. The project now involves six historic buildings and plans for an entirely new structure, the Interpretive and Educational Center, to occupy the vacant lot across from the new Convention Center on East Vine Street. The Interpretive Center will be a thoroughly modern educational environment, featuring museum and performance spaces, cafés and restaurants, and streetscape improvements. This project draws on all the elements of the firm’s strengths and interests: history and heritage; community interests and architectural design; town planning and development of historic buildings; preservation and contemporary design. Planning and development for the New Public Market project in Portland, Maine is well underway, with Community Heritage Partners gathering feedback from the Portland community at public forums and through public opinion surveys. Read more about downtown Portland revitalization at www.portlandmaine.com. Exterior restoration for the New Ressler Mill Foundation Cultural Heritage Center took major steps forward. This first phase of the multi-year construction project is currently under way. By Spring 2007, the early architectural character of this 1835 farmhouse and commercial building will be restored for all to see. Future phases will involve new site access and landscaping improvements, a renovated interior to accommodate the Foundation’s museum, research center, and community educational and meeting space program for this historic building. www.resslermill.com A New Development Vision for the Haldeman Mansion and surrounding site in Locust Grove, Lancaster County, is the latest request for Community Heritage Partners consultation from the Haldeman Mansion Preservation Society. After many years of guiding the site’s architectural restoration, Community Heritage Partners will now assist with a plan for development to sustain the site and its historic architecture, and make it a revitalized resource for community heritage. A new heating and cooling system is also now partially installed. The Cooper School Development Feasibility Analysis and Plan for Development in Shenandoah, PA was recently completed. Community Heritage Partners’ feasibility analysis and report gave the people of Shenandoah an exciting vision for their future. The report now in the hands of the Borough of Shenandoah, is being used to “sell” the building’s development potential to the broader community, and to build support among potential users and funding sources. New signage and plans for future expansion to upper floor eating and meeting rooms are under development for La Dolce Vita Bakery and Café on North Duke Street in downtown Lancaster. Completed Preservation Plan for an early Oil Heritage Region building, which was the original office for the Egbert Oil Company. Community Heritage Partners’ office side yard has been transformed from an under-utilized patch of grass to a new urban courtyard. Office conferences and lunchtimes have never been better! Residential Master Planning and Schematic Plans for Additions and Restoration are well-underway for an 18th century stone farmhouse complex between Manheim and Mount Joy in Lancaster County. With the overall complex master plan now determined, our next step will be to develop the architectural details of the new additions and the restoration plans for the historic portion. Along with residential spaces and guest rooms, this expansion will house work-at-home office spaces, and a work studio for creative live greenery fabrications, along with a large garage with woodworking shop. Structural Stabilization and Restoration for 18th century Stone House has been completed for the Penn-Laurel Girl Scout Council at Camp Furnace Hills in far northern Lancaster County. This was an interesting project that involved on-site load-testing of the antique roof structure before designing a visually discrete reinforcement system. New signage was erected for Crossroads Mennonite Church at S. Duke and Church Streets on South Duke Street in downtown Lancaster. Along with the sign designs, we provided the church with technical information on how to retain their slate roofing, and protect their sanctuary against water leakage through worn-out metal flashings. Residential conversion planning is in its initial stages for a 20th century dairy barn at the seaside near Rome, Italy. Our client is an internationally-recognized, award-winning photo-journalist and his family. New design plans will soon be underway for a private family vacation house on a wooded site overlooking an ocean inlet near Kennebunkport, Maine. Our clients are a professional couple with three young daughters. Community Heritage Partners in the local community: Principal Gene Aleci joins the Community Advisory Board of Franklin and Marshall College’s Local Economy Center, a non-profit research group based whose research and analysis supports effective, inclusive, and sustainable economic-development strategies. CityWest Neighbors, a Lancaster neighborhood association, was formed over the last two years, with Community Heritage Partners assists in various aspects of neighborhood planning. Further development of Civic Action Network for the Built Environment (CANBE) initiative, a coalition of citizens concerned about the quality of life and preservation of the historic built environment in urban Lancaster. Aleci continues to serve as Professional Advisor to the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County. A handful of Lancaster’s many professionals have been selected by the Trust for their knowledge and experience in saving and revitalizing historic places. Aleci brings his expertise in development and adaptive use of historic buildings as well as his extensive knowledge of the technical aspects of preservation. Aleci assists Franklin and Marshall faculty with “Greening of the College Campus" a project aimed at encouraging sustainable design and environmental responsibility in new campus planning and administrative decision-making. Community Heritage Partners assists the Franklin and Marshall College Archivist and Library with conservation of Mercer Tile Fireplace and Pavings New Addition to Community Heritage Partners' Team: In April 2006, Benjamin Asher Samberg joined Community Heritage Partners as Assistant Architect. Ben has been working on many projects with us, but has been particularly focused on developing the 3D graphic visualizations for the Stevens-Smith Historic Site and Precinct. Other projects and recent publications: Aleci study tour opens up ancient Jewish catacombs under Rome’s Appian Way and captures the City’s early foundations. http://rome.contexttravel.com/static/rom_catacombs.php?PHPSESSID= f132957950d508095eda59bb254de4c3 Aleci acts as editorial advisor to Primo Magazine, an English-language publication on Italian lifestyle and culture, for an article on urban renewal and eminent domain. Aleci contributes an article entitled “Marketplace and Townscape” on Lancaster’s Central Market for an issue focused on “Food, Space and Place,” in Slow Food International’s journal, SLOW, based in Bra, Italy. The article was published in 7 different languages.