Hosted by the Historic Preservation Section of the City’s Planning and Development Department and Riverside Avondale Preservation, the conference is designed for contractors, architects, energy consultants and homeowners who want to learn techniques to conserve energy as well as how to avoid running afoul of zoning regulations and the permitting process.

Senior Historic Preservation Planner Lisa Sheppard said the agenda was designed with an emphasis on sustainability and education.

It’s intended for professionals and those who are new to the preservation culture.

“We want to get everybody on the same page when it comes to historic preservation,” she said.

Presenters include Donovan Rypkema, principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington, D.C-based economic development and historic preservation consulting firm; Steve Thomas, former host of “This Old House” on PBS; Steve Mouzon, founding member of the Congress for the New Urbanism; and local historian and author Wayne Wood.

The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission will present its annual awards at 6 p.m. Thursday. Twenty-two projects, publications and individuals will be recognized, including the restoration of Friendship Park and Fountain on the Southbank.

On the schedule Sunday are guided tours of historic buildings Downtown and neighborhood sustainability projects.

The conference is sponsored by the City and through grant funding from U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Historic Preservation and the Florida Historical Commission.

For the complete schedule of seminars and classes and registration information, visit restorejacksonville.com.

mmarbut@baileypub.com

356-2466