Spotlight on Debra Martin, award winning historic planner

Debra Martin, Wilmington's historic preservation planner, was honored Wednesday night by the New Castle County Historic Review Board for her work in the field. The Community News caught up with Martin to discuss what she's been working on.

Q) How did you become interested and involved in preservation and historic planning? 
A) I started with a professional career in contract archaeology. I learned about historic architecture while working on comprehensive projects, and supplemented that experience with reading and classes at UD. During a lull in archaeological work, I started as an intern with the City of Wilmington's Department of Planning. I had the chance to learn the job from an entry level, and later the position of Preservation Planner opened up. I can't say that I was completely ready for the complexity of the job, but it has been a great environment in which to learn, and after 14 years, I feel comfortable. I also am a historic preservation commissioner for Delaware City and my historic home also presents endless learning opportunities.

Q) You are being honored by New Castle County for your advocacy work. What is your reaction to being chosen for that award?
A) It was a wonderful surprise to be informed of this recognition.  I was actually confused initially, because I had nominated a Wilmington program for an award and I thought that the HRB had misinterpreted my submission! Although it has always been easy to interact across political boundaries with our small army of historic preservation professionals throughout Delaware, it is a particular honor to receive an award from an organization outside of my jurisdiction.

Q) What kind of preservation projects is the City of Wilmington currently undertaking? 
A) We are working on National Register of Historic Places nominations for two great locations: Fire Station 5, built in 1893, and Rodney Square, a district with monumental 20th-century significance. We are also working on legislation to guide a historic landmark program and to curb the dangerous practice of "demolition by neglect." Other than that, we are able to enjoy the fruits of past labors by experiencing numerous historic rehabilitation projects downtown.

Q) How do you balance preservation with progress?
A) For me, the balance is natural. The hard part is convincing others that historic preservation actually takes a long and conservative view of planning, encourages conservation of quality craftsmanship, is easy on the carbon footprint, supports local jobs and plays a huge role in community identity. When I consider that buildings are constructed today with an intended lifespan of 30 years, I have a hard time calling that progress. In a local example of "progress," a new bank moved into a Art Deco-era bank, completely destroyed the architectural integrity in the name of corporate branding, and then closed a few years later, leaving an ugly, vacant building. That's not progress to me, but short-range thinking. We also fight the fallacy that all historic buildings are energy inefficient. Each building is different, and energy audits frequently show that small improvements in insulation and weather stripping make the most difference in energy conservation

 
Q) You are also actively involved in the Underground Railroad Coalition here in Delaware. What is that organization's mission?
A) The Mission states: "The Coalition is dedicated to sharing the profound stories of the people who escaped from slavery and those in Delaware who assisted them in seeking freedom. To this end, [we] provide a forum for gathering and encouraging research, linking local, regional, national resources, and sharing information with the public. The coalition also promotes the preservation of Underground Railroad sites so that future generations may experience the power of these genuine historic places. We seek and share authentic stories of the almost unfathomable network of people who defied the laws and risked their lives and livelihoods in the name of the human rights of those in bondage.  Delaware is a wonderful place to seek these stories because it was both a slave state and one famous for its powerful and mysterious Underground Railroad operatives.