Jin Jeong, an Interior Design with WMF, has recently passed her Green Associate Exam and is now credentialed as a Green Associate.  The LEED Green Associate credential is intended for professionals who want to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice. The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has created the LEED Green Associate credential, which denotes basic knowledge of green design, construction and operations.

Cleveland, OH — January 12, 2012 — WMF was recently recognized as one of seven award winners for outstanding projects in University Circle architectural hub in metropolitan Cleveland.  The award recognizes the firm’s effort as part of the Restoration of The Church of the Covenant.  This historic icon is a Ralph Adams Cram designed church on Euclid Avenue opposite University Hospital and adjacent to Case Western University. 

Douglas Hoffman, AIA, WMF’s religious design specialist acted as consulting architect, and Clete Miller as WMF’s Construction Manager by leading that project through a very intense 10 week restoration.  The work included complete new hardwood and stone floor installation in the sanctuary and nave; replastering of crumbling walls; strengthening, rebuilding and refinishing of 100 year old pews; fabrication and installation of new chandeliers to match those originally designed by Ralph Adams Cram; and rebuilding of rear balcony to accommodate a new tracker pipe organ.

Robert Lingenfelter is a Pennsylvania native who has been a member of the PATACF since 2008. He has also been involved in the Centre Region through such organizations as The State Theatre – Special Events Committee and Tri-County Habitat for Humanity.

Robert obtained his Bachelors of Landscape Architecture and Masters of Landscape Architecture from SUNY – College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University.  He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and an Associate with WMF, a full-service regional architecture, interiors, and construction firm with offices in Erie, Cleveland, State College and Charlotte. The firm is recognized for its creative design solutions and customer-centric construction management approach.       

Robert’s personal interests in outdoor recreation and open space stem from his childhood involvement with the outing club, alpine ski team, and more recently camping and bicycle touring on regional rails-to-trails.  As a professional Landscape Architect, Robert deals with open space land use activities characterized by landscape features, process, and systems.  As a LEED Accredited Professional, he works to promote human as well as ecological health.  Robert is particularly interested in the restored American Chestnut tree’s potential to enhance ecosystem services provided by built landscapes.

Helping the community to learn about Federal Tax Incentives for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.

As a leader in Historic Preservation, Weber Murphy Fox (WMF), in conjunction with the Borough of Bellefonte Pennsylvania, Preservation Pennsylvania & the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Planning and Community Development Office of Centre County, sponsored the public presentation “Introduction to Leveraging Historic Resources, Redevelopment and Heritage Tourism in Your Community”.

Held at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, PA on December 7^th, 2011 the event introduced attendees to the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program (which can generate cash for building rehabilitation), the preservation and rehabilitation technical assistance available to property owners, and the economic and heritage tourism benefits of preserving historic community assets.

The presentation was attended by over 30 local officials, property owners, business leaders, and professionals who answered YES to all three of the following questions: Do you own a commercial building located in a historic district, a house that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, a historic barn, or building eligible for such designation?  Does it need to be fixed up?  Will it be used for rental housing or some other business?

Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives

Administered by the National Park Service, the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program offers a 20% federal tax credit for qualified rehabilitation expenses. The primary benefit of historic tax credits and conservation easements to rehabilitation projects lies in their ability to generate equity.  Heather Rudge, Historic Preservation Studio Leader at Weber Murphy Fox, presented several examples of how this can bring significant dollars to a project and counteract the effects of higher costs or depressed markets. Thousands of property owners across the country have already utilized these tax incentives to rehabilitate historic commercial buildings and similar properties.

Sustainable Economies

Historic structures play an important part of preservation, conservation and reuse strategies used by local communities to develop sustainable economies. Historic, natural and cultural resources are also considered key components in the state’s second leading industry – tourism (PA DCNR). Robert Lingenfelter, RLA, LEED AP BD+C, Land Planning & Development Associate at Weber Murphy Fox, highlighted the economic benefits of Open Space Assets, such as Parks and Greenways, and Historic and Cultural Resources like Heritage Area and Recreation Assets.  According to the 2010 “Community Preservation Values Survey” by the PA Historical and Museum Commission and Bureau for Historic Preservation, when asked what resources enhanced the character of their community, the top five responses included “parks and open spaces” and “historic buildings, sites and districts”. Robert also summarized the history of the Match Factory Complex, the Talleyrand Park expansion, and Arts and Crafts Fair in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, citing the community’s ability to leverage these Historic, Natural, and Cultural resources to attract Waterfront Redevelopment.

Technical Assistance

An introduction of technical assistance programs and services available from state, county and local agencies included Erin Hammerstedt, Field Rep for Preservation Pennsylvania & the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Susan B. Hannegan, Assistant Director for Planning and Community Development, Centre County, and Robert Keal – RA, HARB Consultant for Borough of Bellefonte.

Click  here  for a copy of the presentation. Continue the conversation on Facebook here. For more information about Historic Preservation and Open Space assets please visit:  www.wmf-inc.com  or contact Robert Lingenfelter: rlingenfelter@wmf-inc.com or 814-867-3508 X 205.

Clete Miller to represent Ward 2, Bay Village Ohio

Cleveland, OH — December 7, 2011 — Bay Village, Ohio resident and Planning Commission member Clete Miller has been elected to represent Ward 2 as a member of the City Council. Mr. Miller will take over the seat vacated by longtime Ward 2 representative Paul Koomar, who opted to run for President of Council. Miller has served on the Bay Planning Commission since 2005 and views his role on city council to be an extension of the important issues facing our residents, as well as a means to promote economic development and growth for our business establishment and entrepreneurs seeking opportunities in our city. For Clete, this role is a natural progression of his interest in serving the community. “I’ve really enjoyed serving on the Planning Commission. It has given me a strong foundation to take my commitment to the city and its residents to the next level,” Miller stated.

Ward 2 is unique in Bay Village in that it contains most of the city’s businesses, as well as schools and family dwellings. Miller’s professional experience translates well to Ward 2. In addition to his current role with the planning commission, Miller is employed by the architecture firm Weber Murphy Fox since 1999 as a project manager. Miller is a Pennsylvania native relocating from State College, PA in 2002 here to assist in expanding Weber Murphy Fox’s Cleveland office. “We immediately fell in love with Bay Village and settled here. It’s such a unique, close-knit community. I was raised in a small town in Pennsylvania. Bay has that small town character, a great location on the Lake and proximity to the metropolitan culture,” said Miller. “It’s a great place to raise a family.”

Miller resides on Wolf Road with his wife Becky and two children. He received a Bachelor’s of Architecture degree from the Penn State School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Clete also served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a military policeman.