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While the number of people living in concentrated poverty in the United States has decreased between 1990 and 2000, the land area considered severely distressed (where 40 % or more of residents live below the poverty level) has increased. This situation poses unique challenges for what to do with the people but also the places that have been left behind in an increasingly information-based global economy. Community development – defined as “a group of people in a community reaching a decision to initiate a social action process… ” (Christenson, 1980) – has promoted affordable housing, commercial development, crime prevention, and youth programs among other things. But it is argued that community development practitioners have not taken full advantage of the history and culture of areas, thus overlooking valuable tools and partnerships to assist in development efforts. In recent years historic preservation has been suggested as an integral component for community revitalization, especially renewal of our older neighborhoods. Preservationists themselves have actively made an effort to becom