The Dallas Architecture Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing public education about architecture, design and the urban environment, will continue its 2016-2017 Panel Discussion Series on May 16, 2017 with “Preservation Issues for Dallas” moderated by Katherine Seale, Chairman of the Dallas Landmark Commission and the West End Historic District Committee. The Forum will partner with Preservation Dallas to present this important and timely Panel discussion.
Panels are offered at no charge to both Forum members and to the general public as a public outreach of The Forum. Join us for a cold beverage and lively dialogue!
The venue for the Panel Series for this season is the Dallas Black Dance Theater building directly behind One Arts Plaza. The DBDT is located at the corner of Arts Plaza Street and Ann Williams Way – at 2700 Ann Williams Way, Dallas, TX 75201. Free parking is available between the DBDT building and Fellowship Church, located to the east of the DBDT building.
The panel discussion is FREE and will be held at 6:30 pm, with complimentary beverages available beginning at 6:15 pm. No reservations are needed to attend. One CEU AIA credit is available.
“The Dallas Architecture Forum is pleased to partner with Preservation Dallas to present this next panel in its 2016-17 series of thought-provoking Panel Discussions on topics impacting the citizens of Dallas both locally and globally,” stated Forum Executive Director Nate Eudaly. “Moderator Katherine Seale will be joined by panelists who will discuss the increased interest in Dallas and across the country in the preservation of the built environment and how it affects our lives, while also exploring the need for an updated and centralized plan to shape our future growth decisions for Dallas.
Joining Seale as panelists for this program will be the following distinguished community leaders and subject matter experts:
Robin McCaffrey, AIA AICP, President and Senior Principal of MESA Planning in Dallas.
Robert Meckfessel, FAIA, founder of DSGN Associates, who is a Past President of The Forum and who currently serves on the boards of LRTX, the Trinity River Conservancy, and DoCoMoMo US.
David Preziosi, AICP, Preservation and Planning Expert and Executive Director of Preservation Dallas.
For more information on The Dallas Architecture Forum, or the Panel Discussion Series, visit www.dallasarchitectureforum.org or call 214-764-2406.
The Forum’s Panel Season Benefactors are John Eagle Dealerships, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, Purdy McGuire, Inc., Janet + Terry Kafka and WDG Architecture. Sponsors for this panel are Wendy Konradi Interior Design and LUXE Interiors + Design Magazine.
Katherine Seale
“Preservation Issues for Dallas”
16 May 2017
Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Informal reception at 6:15 pm
Venue: NOTE LOCATION
Dallas Black Dance Theatre, 2700 Ann Williams Way, Dallas, TX 75201
Behind One Arts Plaza, at the Corner of Arts Plaza Street and Ann Williams Way,
Entrance on Ann Williams Way, Free parking is available between the DBDT building and Fellowship Church, located to the east of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre
The last two decades have seen a monumental shift in historic preservation both in Dallas and across the country. This is reflective of a broader renewed interest in the built environment – old and new – specifically how buildings, landscapes and places impact our lives. Twenty years ago, there was very little research on the physical and mental impact of buildings and landscapes. Today there are many more studies available on the subject, as well as a greater general interest in how our surroundings affect our bodies and minds.
It has been said that historic preservation efforts are like a town’s autobiography. The decision to keep or demolish something for the future is based on the values of a particular time and place and attitude. Dallas’s citizens are increasingly interested in the decision-making process that determines what their surroundings look like and how it will affect them. The Demolition Delay ordinance as one example of the citizenry’s growing focus on the preservation decisions being made in their city. The quality and quantity of the city preservation staff has grown to a complete office, and many team members hold degrees in historic preservation related fields. Many internal changes such as increased training, education, and public outreach are happening as a result of the Downtown Preservation Solutions Committee.
While there is clearly an increased interest in the historic built environment from both the public and local government, the decisions that impact citizens are still largely unguided. With no city planning department, there is a lack of vision and coordination in how the city develops and re-develops. We are working off a Preservation Plan from 1987 and our surveys are decades old. These tools need to be updated to guide future development and preservation efforts.
About the Moderator:
Katherine SEALE
Ms. Seale is an architectural historian and preservationist practicing in Dallas, Texas. She is a native Texan and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas and a Master of Science in Architectural History from the University of Virginia. Ms. Seale began her career in 2001 directing Discover Dallas!, a city-wide survey of Dallas neighborhoods for Preservation Dallas. From 2007 until 2011, Ms. Seale served as the Executive Director of Preservation Dallas. Currently, she is Mayor Rawlings’ appointment and chairman to the Dallas Landmark Commission. Ms. Seale also chairs the Preservation Solutions Committee under the Dallas City Manager’s Office. More recently, she was appointed by the Dallas Landmark Commission to chair the West End Historic District Committee.
Panelists:
Robin McCaffrey
Robin McCaffrey, AIA AICP has worked as a planner and advocate for proper land use, design and preservation issues successfully for many years. Robin has developed many planning projects for communities throughout Texas which involve land use, housing, urban design, open space/ natural systems, and infrastructure plans to enhance the development of those communities. Robin has also been actively involved in advocating on behalf of preservation issues. He participated in the Crownrich vs. the City of Dallas case, a Supreme Court decision resulting from early historic preservation work. Mr. McCaffrey’s expert testimony assisted the City of Dallas who requested the power to deny a building permit in anticipation of pending historic designation. The result was a decision in favor of the City of Dallas. This decision subsequently empowered historic preservation movements throughout the State of Texas. Robin co-founded and was President of Needham-McCaffrey Associates. His firm provided architecture and landscape services in the Dallas area. From 1996 to 2011, Robin acted as Senior Principal of MESA Design Associates and is currently President and Senior Principal of MESA Planning in Dallas.
Robert Meckfessel
Robert Meckfessel, FAIA brings over 35 years of experience in the planning and design of institutional, residential, and commercial projects throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Many of these projects have been recognized for innovation and excellence in urban design, architecture, sustainability, and preservation from professional and industry organizations, including AIA Dallas, the Texas Society of Architects, Preservation Dallas, Preservation Texas, and NCTCOG. He has served as President of leading organizations involved with the quality of the built environment, including Preservation Dallas, LRTX, AIA Dallas, and The Dallas Architecture Forum. He currently serves on the boards of LRTX, the Trinity River Conservancy, the Trinity Commons Foundation, Trinity United, and DoCoMoMo US. He speaks often at professional events and conferences, political forums, and educational venues on urban planning, preservation and architecture.
David Preziosi
Since 2012 David Preziosi, AICP has been the Executive Director of Preservation Dallas. David attended Texas A & M, where he received a Bachelor of Environmental Design (architecture), a Master‘s of Urban Planning, and a Historic Preservation Certificate. Prior to leading Preservation Dallas, David served as Executive Director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust. In that position Preziosi successfully worked with Congress to secure millions of dollars to restore historic structures which were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. He worked on a team of preservationists who surveyed Katrina damage and pursued the funding needed to restore historic places. David has also served as the Assistant City Planner and City Planner for Natchez, Mississippi and was responsible for all preservation planning in that historic city. At Preservation Dallas he has worked to increase membership, programming and events, and advocacy. He has worked to gather public support for numerous preservation issues including the passage of the Demolition Delay ordinance, and has been an advocate for the increasing influence of the Downtown Preservation Solutions Committee. David’s experience as a champion for preservation on local, state and national levels makes him a well-respected and effective advocate for preservation in Dallas and throughout Texas.
