The 2016 Old House Fair in Bellefonte will be held at the American Philatelic Society’s headquarters in the Match Factory Complex on Friday, April 29^th and Saturday, April 30^th.  On Friday, the Fair addresses financial aspects of revitalizing older downtowns through two programs that might interest planners.  First is a 3.5-hour workshop, Main Street LLC: Community Entrepreneurism and the Case for Private Sector Rehab, offered by architect and mayor, Rick Hauser, and attorney Rodney Beard.  A description of the workshop is attached.  The workshop is followed by a reception, banquet and the Fair’s Keynote Address by Donovan Rypkema.  The afternoon and evening programs are priced separately, but the cost for the entire Friday package is $60.

On Saturday, the Fair offers sixteen different presentations on a wide variety of topics of interest to owners and potential owners of old houses and commercial buildings.  The price of admission on Saturday is just $10. 

Planners might enjoy a visit to Bellefonte to view the town’s response to the devastating sequence of fires that decimated its downtown over the past decade.  Two major residential projects are underway – one a controversial infill development on the site of the demolished Garman Opera House and the other a rehab of a nearly destroyed building.  Another major project is the stunning redevelopment of the Spring Creek waterfront on the sites of the burned Bush House Hotel and an adjacent industrial complex.

The planners of the Fair hope to make it an annual event with one day aimed at professionals and another for owners of homes and downtown commercial property.