what we do.
Preservation Forward helps communities unlock the potential of their historic built environment — from National Register nominations and tax credit navigation to regulatory compliance, rehabilitation strategy, and hands-on technical guidance on traditional building methods, ADA integration, and code-compliant construction.
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We also work at the intersection of preservation and economic development, helping clients map historic assets, develop targeted redevelopment strategies, and make the case for old buildings as smart investments. That work spans storefront design, facade improvements, design guidelines, and signage recommendations, as well as full-spectrum policy guidance — Section 106 consultation, Secretary of the Interior's Standards compliance, and environmental review — so that historic preservation isn't just protected, it's positioned as a community development strategy.
Take a look at a few of our projects we're showcasing here.
services to preserve it forward.
1
Historic Documentation & Assessment
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Historic resource identification and character-defining features analysis
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Building condition surveys and structural assessments
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National Register nominations and local historic district designations
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Historic research for property redevelopment potential
2
Planning & Design
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Historic preservation planning for communities
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Design guidelines development for historic districts
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Storefront and facade improvement guidance
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Asset mapping and redevelopment prioritization
3
Financial & Economic Development
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Federal and Michigan State Historic Tax Credit assistance
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Economic development through historic preservation
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Community asset enhancement strategies
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Historic property marketing guidance
4
Technical Preservation Services
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Adaptive reuse and redevelopment strategies
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Traditional building methods and materials guidance
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ADA accessibility integration in historic structures
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Construction guidance for historically compliant projects
5
Regulatory Compliance
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Section 106 consultation (National Historic Preservation Act)
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Guidance on Secretary of Interior's Standards
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Environmental policy compliance for historic properties
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Building code compliance for historic structures
6
Education & Outreach
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Community forums and visioning sessions
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Building basics workshops and training
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Historic District Commissioner training
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Public engagement for preservation initiatives
