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Richard E. Dover Discusses the Process of Historic Restoration

July 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Richard-E-Dover-Gathering-of-Experts-Historic-RestorationRichard E. Dover and Family Pride Corporation have been passionate about historic preservation since the company was created in 1993. Richard E. Dover has been deeply involved with saving historic structures in Tennessee, North Carolina and Florida. According to Richard E. Dover, his quest to improve and preserve historic structures still continues. Here, Richard E. Dover describes the importance and the process of restoration.

A Gathering of Experts: Thank you for being here today, Mr. Richard E. Dover.

Richard E. Dover: Thanks for having me.

A Gathering of Experts: As an expert in restoration, can you explain what historic restoration is exactly?

Richard E. Dover: Restoration is a process where a building of historic value is restored to its original beauty. Precise attention to detail must be given and using original building materials is imperative.

A Gathering of Experts: Can you explain the restoration process?

Richard E. Dover: The process falls into four different categories. A historic building can be preserved, restored, rehabilitated or reconstructed.

A Gathering of Experts: How does rehabilitation differ from reconstruction?

Richard E. Dover: Rehabilitation requires alteration to the basic structure with current building materials so that it can continue to be useful for modern-day purposes. Every attempt is made, however, to preserve the original look of the building. Reconstruction, on the other hand, involves repairing buildings that have collapsed or been damaged, and asks for new construction materials as long as they are similar to the original ones.

A Gathering of Experts: Which process is the least labor-intensive?

Richard E. Dover: Preservation is most likely the least labor intensive as it involves preventing physical deterioration without removing the natural effects of history and character.

A Gathering of Experts: Is the restoration process difficult?

Richard E. Dover: I call the process an exciting challenge. It can be expensive and time-consuming. It’s important to surround yourself with professionals who can assist with every phase of the project, such as architects, historians, contractors, suppliers, as well as researchers and preservationists.

A Gathering of Experts: How do you start the restoration process?

Richard E. Dover: Before I buy a historic building, I thoroughly inspect it to determine the condition. I carefully map out what I want to accomplish and budget how much money I can afford to spend. The next step is research. The more you know about the building, the more accurate the restoration will be.

A Gathering of Experts: Why is historical restoration important?

Richard E. Dover: History contributes to the personality of a community. It gives it its unique character. Historic preservation involves more than simply saving and restoring old buildings. There are economic, cultural and environmental considerations as well.

A Gathering of Experts: How does the economy benefit from historic restoration?

Richard E. Dover: Preservation creates jobs since the projects are more labor intensive. Another important economic benefit is tourism. Many people have a deep fascination with sites where history happened. Heritage tourism provides billions for the hospitality and travel industries.

A Gathering of Experts: What types of buildings are usually targeted for restoration?

Richard E. Dover: The structures are generally at least 50 years old and usually represent an architectural era, such as Victorian or Tudor design.

A Gathering of Experts: What is a definite “no-no” when restoring buildings?

Richard E. Dover: You cannot destroy distinctive original features. Also, avoid sandblasting and other damaging methods.

A Gathering of Experts: What advice would you give to a first-time preservationist?

Richard E. Dover: Protect, preserve and respect the building and the changes that have taken place over time. Repair rather than replace.

Richard E. Dover is involved in a number of projects spanning from Knoxville to Oak Ridge. Richard E. Dover currently oversees the restoration of the historic Alexander Inn. The historic former inn will become an assisted living center for seniors, according to Richard E. Dover.

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Rick Dover of Knoxville: The Value of Environmental Responsibility

June 16, 2013 By 1 Comment

020712OakwoodRick Dover, a Knoxville business manager, is proud of all Family Pride Corporation has achieved in its two decades in business. The company specializes in repurposing historic buildings for senior care communities and other uses, according to Rick Dover, and Knoxville organizations have taken notice. The company is the recipient of several historic preservation awards for its efforts, says Rick Dover of Knoxville.

Rick Dover, a Knoxville resident, has always worked with environmental consciousness in mind. Acknowledging that many people believe environmentally friendly development is almost impossible, Rick Dover of Knoxville has noticed that many people are successfully achieving sustainability in building development.

According to Rick Dover, Knoxville is one area where the opportunity to be environmentally friendly exists. Through Family Pride Corporation, Rick Dover and Knoxville builders are able to work together to find buildings that have either been abandoned or are not being heavily used. These buildings have years of history and stored energy that is wasted when a building is torn down, according to Rick Dover. Knoxville, in particular, has quite a few empty buildings that would make great senior care facilities, Rick Dover of Knoxville has found.

As Rick Dover, a Knoxville businessman, says, this energy is renewed when Family Pride Corporation comes in and restores a building. The building can then be filled with people once again, giving seniors a great place to live while allowing the community to enjoy a historic structure for many years, adds Rick Dover of Knoxville.

In addition to repurposing structures, Rick Dover and Knoxville staff of Family Pride Corporation use today’s best environment-saving features. Family Pride Corporation adds solar power and energy-efficient HVAC systems to preserve the environment, according to Rick Dover. Knoxville is also the ideal place to implement reflective roofs to save on electricity by keeping a building cooler, Rick Dover of Knoxville adds.

With each project, Family Pride Corporation strives to be as green as possibly, according to Rick Dover. Knoxville has noticed the hard work the company is doing, and Rick Dover and Knoxville staff members believe this sets a good example for the rest of the city. Rick Dover hopes Knoxville businesses will join the movement and find ways to reuse historic buildings for modern purposes.

Family Pride Corporation’s many projects include the remodeling and reuse of a 1908 school, a 1970s hospital, and a hotel that once housed VIPs during the Manhattan Project, according to Rick Dover. Knoxville and East Tennessee aren’t the only areas Rick Dover has affected with his remodeling projects. According to Rick Dover, the Knoxville businessman has also repurposed buildings in Florida and North Carolina, as well as other areas of Tennessee.

A former real estate developer, Rick Dover of Knoxville has been acknowledged by the mayor of Lenoir City and the Loudon County Preservation Society. With each new project, Family Pride Corporation staff members strive to enhance communities while preserving landmarks for those who most appreciate them.

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Rick Dover Talks about Creating Jobs Through Building Restoration

May 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Rick Dover

Rick Dover

Rick Dover is the general manager of Family Pride Corporation, a family owned and operated company in Knoxville, Tenn. Rick Dover and Family Pride Corporation have been in the building restoration business since 1993.

A Gathering of Experts: Rick Dover is meeting with us to talk about creating jobs through restoration. Thank you for joining us today, Rick.

Rick Dover: My pleasure. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to talk about Family Pride Corporation and our restoration ventures.

A Gathering of Experts: Tell us why you prefer renovation over new construction.

Rick Dover: Everyone today is worried about the economy and jobs. Renovating a building takes twice the labor and half the material as new construction.

A Gathering of Experts: So you feel renovation is better for the economy?

Rick Dover: It only makes sense that in difficult economic times we need to stop building new structures and utilize what we have available.

A Gathering of Experts: I can see the savings in material, but it seems like it wouldn’t significantly affect the job situation.

Rick Dover: The University of Massachusetts ran the numbers using 2009 national data. The results showed that restoring existing buildings produced about 50 percent more jobs than constructing new ones.

A Gathering of Experts: Those are surprising numbers.

Rick Dover: Not when you take a hard look at the facts. Nationally, approximately 41 percent of the cost of residential renovation goes to labor, but the number drops to 28 percent when you look at figures for new construction.

A Gathering of Experts: Why the disparity?

Rick Dover: Restoration of old buildings is more labor-intensive because much of the cost of new construction is not in labor and jobs; it’s in equipment, material—and freight charges to move the equipment and material.

A Gathering of Experts: Even in a bad economy, some businesses need a new location because they’ve lost their lease or need an extra facility.

Rick Dover: The economy won’t sustain a great deal of new construction these days. If it comes down to an immediate need, a business owner may walk away from new construction because of the cost. A restored property will give them what they need with a much lower outlay.

A Gathering of Experts: But new construction also creates jobs—right?

Rick Dover: True, but not on as large a scale. Also renovation over new construction holds a big advantage for a community because of the type of labor involved. Restoration uses a different type of labor force that is typically made up of local job seekers with more basic skills.

A Gathering of Experts: But new jobs of any type are good for the economy, right?

Rick Dover: For the economy overall, of course; however, the main consideration should be putting money earned doing neighborhood projects back into the local economy. Local workers keep that cash in the community. They spend the money they earn locally and that helps create more jobs in the community.

A Gathering of Experts: How do you find these properties?

Rick Dover: That hasn’t been a problem. There’s hardly a city that doesn’t have housing stock in need of rehabilitation.

A Gathering of Experts: What about the real estate market? Doesn’t it depend largely on new construction?

Rick Dover: Unfortunately, the real estate industry doesn’t often think along the lines of restoration and preservation. They are programed to produce and sell new buildings. Perhaps this would be a good time for the industry to rethink the standard and incorporate a “greener” ideology in their business practices.

A Gathering of Experts: Is that belief a part of your company’s business practice?

Rick Dover: I do think we should leave the smallest footprint possible on the world so future generations don’t pay for our mistakes. Environmentalists are beginning to see that maybe the new, cutting-edge eco buildings aren’t necessarily the best choice for sustainability. They are realizing that rehabilitating old buildings is considerably less wasteful than replacing them.

A Gathering of Experts: So you’re saying city governments should think “greener” when looking for ways to add jobs into their community?

Rick Dover: I suppose adding politicians to the mix wouldn’t be a bad idea, but it isn’t about politics—it’s about jobs and improving communities. Cities trying to incorporate jobs would be smart to take a close look at the housing they already have.

A Gathering of Experts: Do you have any parting comments for us?

Rick Dover: We still have a deeply depressed economy and labor market. Consumers are tapped out. We as employers have a responsibility to do everything we can to help boost the economy and add jobs.

Rick Dover and Family Pride Corporation gain satisfaction from the restoration of properties for senior housing and for residential and commercial use. Rick Dover knows that improving communities by restoring existing properties is the best way to revitalize a neighborhood and add jobs. For more information about Rick Dover and Family Pride Corporation, visit familypridecorp.com.

 

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