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Story Subject Category: Housing and Urban Renewal
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The goal of Habitat for Humanity’s Champaign ReStore is to keep gently used furniture out of the landfill and also help people in need.
Segment duration: 06:49
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Producer: Virginia Steffen
This segment is filed in these categories: Business • Environment • Housing and Urban Renewal • Champaign
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Prairie Fire looks at White Place, a turn-of-the-century middle class housing development showcasing different styles of architecture in Bloomington, Ill.
Segment duration: 02:44
Producer: Alison Davis
Advisor: Mike Jackson
This segment is filed in these categories: Architecture • Historical Landmarks • Housing and Urban Renewal • Illinois Culture/History
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Lonn Frye hates to see old libraries torn down to make way for brand new ones. The Chicago architect is a specialist in helping cities preserve and renovate old libraries, updating them but keeping the architectural style intact.
Frye takes viewers on a tour of historic central Illinois libraries in Jacksonville and Clinton. “He’s trying to educate people on why it’s important to keep these old libraries,” says Prairie Fire host Alison Davis. “Many of them were built around the turn of the century, which was the golden age of library construction.” The Jacksonville Public Library, currently undergoing expansion, is one of about 105 in Illinois built with funds donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Clinton’s library, which was renovated under Frye’s direction, is an arts and crafts style library built with funds from Vespasian Warner, who was inspired by Carnegie’s example.
Segment duration: 08:16
Producer: Alison Davis
Advisor: Lonn Frye
This segment is filed in these categories: Architecture • Housing and Urban Renewal • Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers • Clinton • Jacksonville
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Segment duration: 05:13
Producer: Alison Davis
This segment is filed in these categories: Architecture • Family history • Historical Landmarks • Housing and Urban Renewal • Illinois Culture/History
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Prairie Fire profiles the Main Street programs in Paxton, Danville and Mattoon, where a state effort is underway to encourage rejuvenation of downtown areas and preservation of unique downtown structures.
Segment duration: 08:14
Producer: Alison Davis
This segment is filed in these categories: Architecture • Arts/Culture • Historical Landmarks • Housing and Urban Renewal • Illinois Culture/History
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Host Jeff Cunningham interviews Michael Markstahler, a social worker turned builder who is working to save a north Champaign neighborhood. A Champaign native, Markstahler purchases and renovates homes, later selling them to working families who want to own a home. “We’re giving the pride of home ownership to people who never throught they’d have it,” he said.
Segment duration: 05:29
Producer: Jeff Cunningham
This segment is filed in these categories: Housing and Urban Renewal • Champaign
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