PlaceEconomics

05/20/2026

Wow, I'm really humbled by this story. Thank you, Karen Bode Baxter and Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc. for sharing this.

People notice the small things. Karen remembers the moment at the National Trusts’ symposium where Donovan Rypkema’s discussion with other symposium attendees inspired her to shift her career towards applied historic preservation in the form of Main Street. Get to know Karen Bode Baxter and Donovan Rypkema more in our newest featured article, “How Two Historic Preservationists Crossed Paths.” Link in comments below.

05/15/2026

If you're interested in the relationship between historic districts and density, you might want to watch this video from the webinar last night with the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

Preservation: Part of the Housing Solution - May 14, 2026Watch our webinar featuring nationally known economist Donovan Rypkema, who discusses how preservati...

05/13/2026

Proud of our colleague Katlyn Cotton who was part of this panel, and our former colleague, Emilie Evans of Preservation Action who organized the event.

05/11/2026

Our brilliant colleague Katlyn Cotton will be part of the Congressional Briefing this afternoon. This is the kind of event Preservation Action hosts and demonstrates it's importance to the historic preservation movement.

05/11/2026

Join us if you're interested in urban density and the "Filtering" theory of housing affordability.

Please join us as nationally known economist Donovan Rypkema discusses how preservation plays an important role in housing issues and in the economy. Zoom Webinar – Register Now May 14, 2026 6:00…

05/04/2026

My colleagues Katlyn and Alyssa are always worth learning from.

Don't forget to register for NAPC's next webinar, Making the Case: Economic Impact Studies for Historic Preservation happening Thursday, May 14th at 1pm EST.

Designed for local preservation staff, historic preservation commission members, planners, and allied professionals, this session will provide practical guidance on how economic impact studies can be used to communicate the tangible value of preservation and build broader support for preservation efforts at the local level.

What: Making the Case: Economic Impact Studies for Historic Preservation
When: Thursday, May 14 at 1pm EST
Cost: FREE for NAPC Members and $15 for Non-Members*
Earn: 1.5 CE AIA/AICP Credits
Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxx4vaz

*Want to access NAPC's regular webinar series for FREE? Sign up or renew your membership today by visiting https://www.napcommissions.org/membership

04/23/2026

In Lake Wales, Florida, there is a wonderful 20s hotel, the Walesbilt. It has been sitting empty for decades. The City acquired the structure and found a great developer to rehabilitate it. PlaceEconomics was given the task of estimating the impact on the local economy when the hotel is restored. If you're interested you can read the report here:https://www.placeeconomics.com/resources/analysis-of-the-impacts-of-a-renovated-walesbilt-hotel/ What great projects we get to work on!

03/06/2026

Last week I did a webinar with North Carolina Main Street Center managers about absentee owners and vacant buildings. The bonus is that you can see me demonstrate my techno-idiocy in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the video.

This is "Don Rypkema - 2026 Bridging the Gap" by NC Main Street Center on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

02/23/2026

As part of an economic impact of preservation study, PlaceEconomics has been asked to identify strategies, tools, and policies that are being used to address issues of racial equity in historic preservation. To do that we need to hear from preservation professionals and advocates from around the country. The survey linked below should take you no longer than 3 or 4 minutes to answer, but your input will be invaluable. We will be happy to share the results of the survey with the historic preservation world when it’s completed. Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge on this topic. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GLMJW9P

02/23/2026

If you're in North Carolina or are interested in this subject, you're welcome to join us.

Join us for our Four Point Hour Series
Guest Speaker: Donovan Rypkema

Bridging the Gap:
Engaging Absentee Property Owners ​for Downtown Revitalization

Absentee property owners can be one of the most challenging, yet critical, stakeholders in downtown revitalization. This session will explore practical strategies for identifying, understanding, and engaging absentee owners to activate underutilized properties and foster stronger community partnerships. Participants will learn how to tailor outreach, build trust, and use tools to encourage investment and collaboration.

Open to All | Register by 2/23, 5 PM
Meeting link will be emailed to registrants the day before the webinar.


https://www.ncmainstreetandplanning.com/public-event-series