Preservation Merit Awards 2023

For 49 years, Historic Albany Foundation has preserved and protected buildings with architectural, historic or civic value by providing technical assistance, education, and advocacy. Since 1976, Historic Albany has honored projects, individuals and organizations that demonstrate excellence and a commitment to preservation techniques and initiatives.

These awardees have acted as examples of best practices for preservation within the City of Albany and surrounding Albany County. Historic Albany Foundation proudly recognizes these projects, often in the face of serious challenges.

Award winning projects exemplify the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Properties or guidelines for adaptive reuse; and have inspired other preservation efforts. All projects must be within Albany County and be fully complete by the application deadline. Self-nominations are accepted. Lifetime Achievement Awards, Certificates of Recognition and Preservation Leadership Awards are awarded at Historic Albany’s discretion.

Class of 2023

Preservation Merit Awards
164 Lark Street (Michael Gilhooly)
930 Broadway (Redburn Development)

Preservation Initiative Awards
163 S Allen Street (Ronald Symansky & Roger Reid)
272 W Lawrence Street (Marilyn Masson)
444 Elk Street (Albany Community Land Trust)

Stewardship Awards
Washington Park Conservancy
City of Albany (Lake House)

Sustainable Cities Award
South End Grocery (The African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region)

Certificates of Recognition
199 Lark Street (Kim Yat Yeung and Ron Xiong)
Francis McKearin & Albany Artisans, NYS Capitol

Architectural Parts Warehouse Award
Churchill Building Company

Katherine Onufer Young Preservationist Award
Brad Lewis

Lifetime Achievement Award
Ned Pratt

Photos of Our Award Winning Projects!

Photos from the BIG night!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Dove Street Development

Peter Lacovara

CATEGORIES OF AWARDS

Preservation Merit Award winning projects are outstanding examples of restoration, rehabilitation or adaptive reuse that inspire other preservation efforts and serve as a model for best practices. These projects often utilize incentives the New York State and Federal Rehabilitation tax credits. Most must overcome several challenges such as vacancy, severe deterioration, development or demolition pressure, or financial hardship.

Preservation Initiative Award winning projects are commendable preservation efforts in which property owners consistently chose to use historic building materials and techniques which are often more time-consuming/labor intensive methods, or to spend more money to be true to the historic character and maintain the architectural integrity of the property.

The Stewardship Award provides recognition typically to an organization for continued efforts in maintaining and restoring a historic structure or landscape (i.e. cemetery, park conservancy) through financial, organizational or physical challenges.

The Main Street Award gives recognition for downtown or “Main Street” revitalization efforts. These projects “bucks the trend” of commercial activities moving to the suburbs and takes the perceived substantial risk of (re)locating in the city core or at the key Main Street locations in struggling neighborhoods.

Certificates of Recognition acknowledges individuals, organizations or businesses who have made a noteworthy contribution to local preservation efforts.

The Sustainable Cities Award applauds the implementation of important urban planning concepts such as successful building reuse, maintaining/recreating density in downtown, and sustainable/green efforts which are not restoration or rehabilitation projects, but are clearly in line with preservation ideals and Historic Albany’s advocacy efforts.

The Katherine Onufer Young Preservationist Award recognizes the efforts of a person 40 or younger who has made a substantial impact on the community and preservation in Albany in general.

The Architectural Parts Warehouse Award recognizes an individual who is dedicated to reusing salvaged architectural parts in restoration and reuse projects. They take the time and effort required to restore, rework, and retrofit old house parts into new uses. Their dedication to retaining the charm, style and workmanship of these old pieces is to be applauded. This person is an exemplary role model for architectural restoration and the use of salvaged materials and Historic Albany Foundation commends their work in this area.