CHICAGO (April, 2004) –Bungalow owners and purchasers who want to have their homes certified as Historic Chicago Bungalows can do so at the upcoming 3rd annual Historic Chicago Bungalow Expo. Certification is free, as is admission to the Expo, and is the first step to access a Bungalow purchase loan, rehab loan, federal tax credit, matching grant, energy efficient voucher or any of the other technical and financial assistance offered by the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association.
This year's Expo will be held on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Bungalow owners seeking certification must bring photographs of the front and rear of their homes and fill out a certification form, after which they will receive a Historic Chicago Bungalow certificate and Historic Chicago Bungalow plaque that can be mounted on the outside of their homes. They will also receive an HCBA membership card and a free subscription to "Inside the Belt," the newsletter of the HCBA.
"We have some amazing resources and incentives that Bungalow owners and purchasers can tap into, but they first must have their homes certified," says Charles Shanabruch, executive director of the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association. "It's quick, it's easy, and it's free. We encourage all Bungalow owners and future owners to take this first step."
More and more Bungalow owners are looking to rehab and upgrade their homes, and make them more energy efficient, and once again the Expo will provide exciting opportunities to learn about new technologies, financing options, grants and rebates for owners of certified Historic Chicago Bungalows. The annual celebration of Chicago's 80,000 beautiful Arts & Crafts style brick bungalows features workshops by home industry product manufacturers, landscapers, rehabilitation experts and various craftspeople on topics such as heating and cooling options, how to work with an architect and stained glass design. There are also details on how to access many of the financial incentives offered to Historic Chicago Bungalow owners.
National and local experts in all aspects of Bungalow renovation and design as well as lenders, realtors and city officials will be on hand. The 2004 Bungalow Expo will feature more than 90 exhibitors with ideas and options for restoring or buying a bungalow. Highlights of the Expo will include over two dozen free workshops presented by national and local experts on topics that include energy conservation, kitchen rehab, stained glass restoration, landscape design and much more.
Bob Yapp, the PBS "House Doctor" and Bruce Bradbury of Bradbury & Bradbury Art Walls, one of the original Arts & Crafts bungalow wallpaper manufacturers, will be among the guest speakers at this year's event. Yapp will be signing copies of his book, About Your House, following his presentations. Also appearing will be Diane Maddex, author of Bungalow Nation, which recounts the history of the American bungalow and contains a chapter that focuses on Chicago bungalows. Maddex is scheduled to give a talk and slide presentation on bungalows, and sign copies of her book.
The 2004 Bungalow Expo is sponsored by the City of Chicago Department of Housing and the HCBA. It will take place on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Hermann Union Building, 3241 S. Federal Street. Attendees can park for free in the lots at nearby U.S. Cellular Field, from which they can walk or take shuttle buses to the Expo. It is also accessible via the CTA Dan Ryan-Red Line's Sox-35th Street stop. Access the HCBA website (www.chicagobungalow.org) for details about the schedule for the 2004 Expo, or contact the HCBA at 312/642-9900 or the City of Chicago at 311.
Historic Chicago Bungalows were built between 1910 and 1940, and are single-family brick residences with one and one-half stories; a low-pitched roof with overhang; full basement; generous windows; rectangular shape; stone trim; and central heat, electricity and plumbing. The 2004 Bungalow Expo is part of the Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative, which was launched in 2000 by Mayor Richard M. Daley, with the intention of preserving this sturdy housing, helping bungalow owners adapt to today's family needs and lifestyles, and strengthening Chicago's Bungalow Belt neighborhoods.