Agenda - 05-04-2004-5m - Laserfiche WebLink

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~nlti h~` GOO ~j~~,,,,,s,~t~e :. Q~-~s lYf v~h~ ~tw~ ~~ryf~f a iM it ~~r4 .fz~ff>t~ s~G // l~ Preservation plays an essential role in telling the story of why we're, fighting (the war on terrorismJ- to protect the places where events shaped who we are as Americans, Obviously, the National Pazk Service should play a deaz role. But the Park Service doesn't necessarily have the skills to market programs to tourists. I had a great conversation with the superintendent of San Antonio Missions National Historical Pazk. Because of the Alamo's success-two million visitors ayear-you'd think all the missions were getting big numbers. Yet they had one of the lowest visitations in the park system. Then I went to the Alamo, and if became very obvious why There was no reference that said look, if you want more of this architecture, just go down the road r5 miles. It's called coupon- bounce-back marketing If you get m percent to go down the road, everybody's happy When we created the Texas Independence Trail, we made sure to include the missions. ~ What role do you see for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation? A First and foremost, the council has to continue its role as manager of the preservation process. I assure everyone that this will continue. But when you read the original ~q66 National Historic Preservation Act, it clearly says the council is to advise the President, the administration, and Congress on issues of preservation. Well, to the members of Congress, preservation is a very local thing. It seems to me, based on my experience in Texas, that the way to help preservation on the local level is through the eco- nomic development model. Give people a way to help themselves I see our role as working with the Park Service, with Commerce, with the Federal Highway Administration, wfth all the agencies to aeate the best possible business environment. Absolutely, the council has to encourage efficient preservation reviews, eliminate duplication, and help the states At the same time, it has to advocate for a strong heritage tourism program Above left: Independence Ha(!, inhere the state declared itselJautonamaus in r836; Above: Relic of frontier days. and help the Federal Government play that type of role. Q A consulting role. A Part cheerleader, part consultant B$ In Texas, how did you engage then- Governor Bush and the First Lady in preservation? A In President and Mrs. Bush you have two people who understand the story of America as told through its places. The largest preservation program by a state was undertaken by then-Governor Bush-the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program. I saw Governor and Mrs. Bush walk through these tremendous cathedrals of the prairie, reborn as part of our economic TO COMMON GROUND SPRING 2004