Boston Edison to host home preservation workshop Apr. 24

Large, architecturally unique homes need special attention, as Boston Edison residents well know. That's why on Saturday, April 24, the neighborhood will open its Seventh Annual Home Preservation Workshop to anyone in Detroit with their own "This Old House."

"Our whole intent was to equip residents with tools to manage and maintain their properties in Historic Boston Edison, which is a 900-home district," says Pamela Miller Malone, president of the Historic Boston Edison Association. "Over the years, we began to open it up to other neighborhoods who also need to identify contractors that work on older homes."

Besides an opportunity to meet with vetted historic home renovation specialists of all trades, there will be a Best Practices Workshop that will run hour-long seminars throughout the day. It's a chance to learn from real people who have had "to deal with city officials and government institutions," says Malone. "These residents have gone through it, have a story to tell and can tell it from the perspective of living in the city."

At noon, there will be a talk with Palmer Woods president Craig Vanderberg about street-blocking as a crime deterrent. At 1 p.m. Boston Edison residents Dave and Dawn Johnson will discuss taking on do-it-yourself projects in your home, including assessing your capacity to tackle a difficult project. At 2 p.m., Antoinette Gray from Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corp. will discuss federal home mortgage modification, a process at which the organization has become quickly adept. Following at 3 p.m.demographer Kurt Metzger of Date Driven Detroit will discuss what data about Detroit means to neighborhoods and residents, particularly in terms of right-sizing.

The Home Preservation Fair will wrap up at 5 p.m. after resident Leonard Xerri of Leonard Xerri Interiors will share affordable decorating and design tips for the exterior of your historic home including yard care, landscaping and facade design.

The free event will be held at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, 2701 Chicago Boulevard at Linwood. More information and registration instructions can be found here.

Source: Pamela Miller Malone, Historic Boston Edison Assoc.
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh