Press Releases

MONTEREY, Calif. - May 23, 2006 - William L. Smith, a broker with Prudential California Realty in Carmel, California, was a featured guest speaker at the Economics of Historic Preservation conference sponsored by the Alliance of Monterey Area Preservationists May 19. In a round-table discussion at the Monterey Conference Center, Smith and fellow local preservation experts discussed the practicalities of historic preservation, and how to keep costs down while making the rehabilitation of historic buildings more feasible.

In addition to Smith, the panel included two architects, Brian Congleton and Gretchen Flesher, a general contractor, Mark Travaille, a Monterey city planner, Kim Cole, and a historic re-developer, Dan Cort. Richard Roddewig and Bruce Judd were guest speakers at the conference earlier in the day.

Smith, a realtor well versed in the intricacies of dealing with historic properties, advocated the adoption by cities of cohesive, consistent plans for historic preservation. "Consistency helps the community become involved and makes it possible for everyone to enjoy the economic benefits of their preservation efforts." Smith cautioned that without consistent plans, districts end up with haphazard preservation, abandoned historic buildings, and unevenly developed main streets.

A Monterey-area native, Smith recalled a time in the 1950s when lower-income buyers sought Victorian homes and would look for ways to update them-by adding aluminum siding, for example-instead of preserve them. In the 1980s, the trend to rehabilitate Victorian homes took hold, but the task was often complicated and expensive. The preservation panel as a whole advocated flexibility on the part of cities and counties in green-lighting historic preservation projects, emphasizing that keeping old buildings occupied is as important as maintaining their historic character.

Earlier this year, Smith represented the buyer of the Chinese-style Marsh Building in Monterey and helped lay the groundwork for the monumental restoration project to be undertaken by its new owner, Jerry Janssen. A specialist in ranch and equestrian properties, Smith is currently the selling agent for the 1920s-era Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley, now in escrow.

For more information about William L. Smith and Prudential California Realty, please call 831.622.1500 or visit www.prudentialcarmel.com. To learn more about the Alliance of Monterey Area Preservationists, visit www.amap1.org.