DEP Presents
Awards For Historic Preservation at the 15th Annual Preservation
Awards Ceremony
(05/55) TRENTON -- The New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection's (DEP) Historic Preservation Office and the New Jersey
Historic Sites Council recognized the steadfast efforts of nine
individuals and groups working to preserve the state's valuable
historic resources at a ceremony in the State House, in Trenton
on Saturday, May 7.
From the extraordinary rehabilitation of the Essex County Courthouse
in Newark, to the simple restoration of Alice Paul's birthplace,
Paulsdale, in Mount Laurel, this year's award recipients celebrate
our state's historic legacy while re-affirming the importance
of human efforts in preserving our historic places.
"Local preservation efforts are critical to defining our
communities and celebrating our history," said DEP Commissioner
Bradley M. Campbell. "This year's award recipients are models
for historic preservation in New Jersey and their communities."
The New Jersey Historic Preservation Awards Program is held annually
during National Historic Preservation month to increase public
awareness of historic preservation; to recognize projects and
contributions by individuals, organizations and agencies; and
to acknowledge volunteer contributions to preserve historic resources.
Created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1971,
this year's National Historic Preservation month theme, "Restore
America: Communities at a Crossroads," encourages the celebration
of local preservation efforts.
This year's award recipients include:
The Union Building, Newark, Essex County
Recognized for the historic rehabilitation and adaptive re-use
in downtown Newark by the Regan Development Corporation, this
ten story office building was converted into 63 luxury residential
apartment units including street level office and retail space.
Incorporating appropriate preservation standards, this project
qualified for federal investment tax credits and is now a vibrant,
productive part of downtown Newark.
Hereford Inlet Light Station, North Wildwood, Cape May
County
Presented to the Friends of Hereford Lighthouse, this award recognizes
the multi-phased restoration of one of New Jersey's maritime treasures.
Meticulously detailed and carefully executed, the completed Hereford
Inlet Light Station hosts over 140,000 visitors each year and
has become a beacon of light to the shore community.
Allentown Public Library, Allentown, Monmouth County
This award was presented to the Allentown Public Library for the
adaptive re-use of a church into a community library. Once a Baptist
Church, the building was almost destroyed by a fire in1972. Due
to the community's many years of grass roots fundraising and perseverance,
the building's history not only survived but also lives on as
Allentown's public library.
Newark International Airport Administrative Building,
Newark, Essex County
Constructed in 1935 as the centerpiece for the most significant
airport in the world at the time, the Administrative Building
was in the way of a runway expansion project. Rather than face
demolition, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey picked
up the building, relocated it adjacent to a taxiway, added an
addition, restored its most significant Art Deco interiors and
installed interpretive exhibits. The building is once again the
heart of airport operations.
Patricia Anne Salvatore, Lower Township resident, Cape
May County
Patricia Anne Salvatore is being honored for her years of dedication
to preserving and promoting New Jersey's historic resources. Not
only is she instrumental in founding and developing Cold Spring
Village as a tourist destination, but also as a retired 'volunteer,'
she continues to oversee the village's day to day operations.
She is an impassioned supporter of all things historic and has
tirelessly advocated for increased funding for the history and
historic preservation community.
Salem Historic Homes, Hedge, Thompson & South Third
Street, Salem, Salem County
Transforming an entire blighted neighborhood of abandoned properties,
Pennrose Properties, working in concert with Salem City, created
104 rental apartment and 28 new residential units. Use of the
federal investment tax credit was crucial to the project's financial
success.
Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Transportation Opportunity
Center and Independence House, Paterson, Passaic County
This project is recognized for both its creative conversion of
an abandoned industrial building (once part of the Rogers Locomotive
Works) and also its success as an integral part of Paterson's
community. Putting together a variety of funding sources, the
completed rehabilitation now houses a variety of community-based
programs for the New Jersey Community Development Corporation.
It is an example of how private development, social needs, and
city and state authorities can come together to create an economically
viable and socially progressive project.
Paulsdale Rehabilitation, Mount Laurel. Burlington County
This award recognizes the superb rehabilitation of Paulsdale,
a National Historic Landmark, and Alice Paul's birthplace. Since
purchasing the house at fair market value in the late 1980's,
the Alice Paul Institute has worked tirelessly not only to raise
funds to complete the rehabilitation, but to promote the preservation
of women's historic sites throughout the state and nationally.
Essex County Courthouse, Newark, Essex County
Constructed in 1905 and designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert,
the Essex County Courthouse is one of New Jersey's most significant
public buildings. This preservation award acknowledges an extraordinary
effort, successfully integrating modern office needs while conserving
and restoring the building's interior structural and decorative
elements to their original grandeur.
For more information, go to http://www.nj.gov/dep/hpo
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