Melissa Cohen has over 25 years of experience in preserving, restoring, and renovating historic buildings. Employed by Cinnovas, Ms. Cohen serves as the Historic Preservation Architect for GSA’s Redevelopment of St. Elizabeths for Homeland Security. She is the liaison and technical point of contract for Project Executives, Project Managers, Construction Managers, Preservation Contractors, and others on issues related to historic preservation. Duties include reviewing design and construction documents and monitoring construction activity to ensure compliance with Historic Preservation Design guidelines, Section 106 governing documents and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards; providing technical interpretation of Secretary of Interior’s Standards for design and construction teams; and providing proactive design research and creative solutions for historic preservation design challenges.
Prior to her current position, Ms. Cohen directed the Preservation/Commercial Studio at GTM for 10 years. She was the Project Architect on a wide variety of projects, overseeing all phases of the design and construction process from existing conditions and feasibility studies through architecture design and contract administration. She managed challenging projects and developed innovative design solutions for complex issues. Ms. Cohen’s expertise includes working closely with local regulatory agencies and community groups including the DC Office of Planning/Historic Preservation Office, DC Department of Regulatory Affairs, DC Office of Zoning, the National Park Service, the Commission of Fine Arts, and local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
Ms. Cohen has been active with DCPL for several years and is currently the Co-chair of DCPL’s Development Committee.
