mission

2012 Annual Awards

Best Commercial Rehabilitation

Tudor Arms Hotel

Sponsored by Coon Restoration


Built in 1930 as the Cleveland Club, this Tudor Revival-style structure originally housed a private club on its lower floors and included large banquet rooms, a ballroom, private dining rooms and athletic facilities. From the 5th to the 11th floors, the building housed guestrooms and was operated as a hotel. The building’s use then transitioned to Case Western Reserve University’s graduate student housing and then to later use by Job Corps. Neglect left the exterior of the building in need of comprehensive renovation which included restoration and re-creation of original wooden windows, tuckpointing, cleaning, and masonry repairs throughout. In addition, an incongruous entry canopy that dates back to the 1960s was re-clad with new metal panels to better blend with the building, incorporating new lighting to welcome hotel guests. New hotel room configurations were designed to accommodate the needs of today’s hotel guests while maintaining and restoring the character of the remaining original hotel corridors. Sustainable design and energy efficiency were integral to this project’s design through the use of a variable refrigerant HVAC system. This extraordinary building has returned to its former glory, and once again has taken its place as a vital part of the life of beautiful Cleveland, Ohio.

Best Residential Rehab

1617 Sheridan, South Euclid

Sponsored by Novogradac & Company, LLP

1617 Sheridan Road is located in the Cleveland suburb of South Euclid. Having been built in 1930, the rehabilitation project encompassed the entire house, and lasted four years before reaching completion in 2011. Interior renovations included repairing decorative plaster ceilings, restoring hardwood floors, preserving original moldings and hardware, and making improvements in various other areas of the home. Interior storm windows were installed throughout the house along with spacers that sealed the storm windows tight against the surround. This addition allowed the owners to keep the original windows while still making the house more energy efficient. Exterior work on the home encompassed the entire building envelope. The exterior renovation of the front façade revealed original mosaic tiles, and decorative copper panels hidden beneath layers of paint. Those unique features were exposed and artfully restored.

Best Public/Private Partnership

Jesup W. Scott High School Renovation

Sponsored by Gray & Pape, Inc.

Located within the Old West End Historic District, the Jesup W. Scott High School Renovation Project was a collaboration between the Toledo Public Schools, The Ohio School Facilities Commission and the SSOE Group as a member of Allied Toledo Architects. This renovation project accomplished five primary objectives: to preserve a historic landmark in the Old West End of Toledo; recreate a modern school in a timeless structure; maintain Toledo Public School traditions in a viable building which has been a teaching environment for almost 100 years; employ sustainable design practices to meet or exceed LEED Silver rating requirements; and, transform Jesup W. Scott High School back to its original grandeur through innovative design and engineering

Best Design Project/Event

The Iwo Jima Mural, Amherst

Sponsored by Sandvick Architects

A large, gray painted brick wall in downtown Amherst, Ohio was the blank canvas that Mike Sekletar was looking for to display his artwork. He wanted to use his skills and talents to pay tribute to all veterans, and decided to do so by creating a mural of an iconic photograph – “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima”. “I wanted to give back to veterans, and for me that’s through art and painting,” Sekletar said. “The photo is so iconic. Everyone has seen it, and it signifies something different for everyone. For me, it signifies freedom.” His father, John, is a veteran who served in the Navy in the Vietnam War, and is a member of the American Legion in Amherst. Sekletar and friend Ryan Shannon stood on scaffolding and began painting the 20-foot by 35-foot re-creation of the photo. The process took nearly three months and more than 250 hours to complete. A 5-by-8-foot flag featuring 48 stars, to stay true to the photo, now flows from a 14-foot aluminum flag pole that extends from the building’s roof line. “Now, the only color in the mural is the flag because that’s what the photo is about – the American flag lives and carries on,” said Sekletar. Download more detailed information on The Iwo Jima Mural.

Best Marketing Project or Event

Rebranding Campaign, Amherst

Sponsored by OHM


The Marketing and Special Projects Committees for Main Street Amherst undertook a huge project in 2011. With growing membership and community reach, the Board of Main Street Amherst felt it was time to brand themselves as a contemporary, youthful and sophisticated organization without losing site of their dedication to preserving, physically maintaining, and economically growing their historic downtown. The main goal of the Board was to attract a larger audience with their new logo, website, and promotional materials, and they did just that.
Since the launch of their brand, Main Street Amherst’s membership has grown with more businesses reaching out to them, as well as seeing an increase in attendance at their events and general meetings. In addition, participation from their members in Main Street Amherst events has also risen. By utilizing their new brand consistently on all of their marketing pieces, Main Street Amherst will be able to continue to grow and prosper in the present and in the future. Download more information on the Amherst Rebranding Campaign.

Best Fundraising Event

Heart of the City Dinner Dance, Amherst

Sponsored by Cohen & Co.

The Heart of the City Dinner Dance and Silent Auction is always the last Saturday in February when the winds blow and snow is flying. The committee works tirelessly for months to make this an event to remember. Event Sales have gone from an idea to 19 Event Sponsors. A “zero budget” places the bar extremely high to negotiate for donations, flower centerpieces, a professional photographer, and an upscale jeweler to donate designed diamond rings. This is the only event in Amherst geared towards promoting business and business owners with a chance to mix and mingle, and letting everyone “put a face’ with the name. Attendees have grown from under 100 in the first years of the event to now 268 attending last year. Just in the last 3 years, net profit has increased from just under $6000 dollars to over $11,300. Amherst should be very proud of this wonderful event. Download more information on the Heart of the City Dinner Dance.

Main Street Business of the Year

5 Corners Bed & Breakfast, Amherst

Sponsored by global X


Since the opening of 5 Corners Bed & Breakfast in 2007, owners Paul and Melissa Timko have strived to not only grow their business, but to also assist other Main Street Amherst supporters through unique and creative cross-marketing ideas. Upon check-in, a Main Street Amherst brochure and map is distributed to every guest as well as menus from all of the historic district’s restaurants being located in each guest room for visitors to view. 5 Corners has also created a “Best of Amherst” list to provide guests with a more detailed list of attractions to fit their interests and taste buds. These are just some of the great efforts that this fine business has made. Others include referrals to Main Street businesses, and also bounce back coupons and exclusive special offers for other historic district businesses. Download more information on the 5 Corners Bed and Breakfast.

Spirit of Main Street

Main Street Wooster

Sponsored by Chambers, Murphy & Burge Restoration Architects

Main Street Wooster was incorporated in 1985 and implemented in 1987. Since that time, there has been continued focus on the economic development of downtown Wooster, and creation and sustenance of community. With more than 140 million dollars of public/private downtown reinvestment, Main Street Wooster continues to enhance the community of Wooster by improving the quality of its downtown business and living environment through outstanding organization, promotion, and design and economic development. Download more information on Main Street Wooster.

Preservation Hero

Patricia J. Lindley

Sponsored by Longwell Legal


Pat Lindley had a deep passion for Wellington and was committed to the preservation and revitalization of its historic downtown. She served as the Director of the Herrick Memorial Library for 27 years, retiring in 2001. People teased her saying “You’re not really even from here” to which she would reply “But I chose to come here”. Pat was always interested in the betterment of Wellington and served on numerous Boards and organizations. Through the years Pat was an outspoken champion for design review, and the preservation of the downtown Wellington’s historic buildings including the Herrick Memorial Library. Pat’s legacy lives on through the grants that her fund provides to the many Wellington charities and programs. Download more information on Patricia J. Lindley.

Heritage Award

ASM International Headquarters & Geodesic Dome

Sponsored by Heritage Ohio Board of Trustees

The Chesler Group completed the $8 million restoration of the ASM International Headquarters building and dome in July 2011. The 60,000 square foot headquarters building, located in Russell Township, Ohio, is a globally significant Mid-century Modern structure and is one of the first “modern” buildings to undergo an historic restoration that meets the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
The ASM Headquarters and Geodesic Dome renovation marks a significant change for historic renovations in the future. It highlighted the beginning of a new era by revealing the importance of preserving architecture of the recent past. Since the completion, the renovation has received significant local, national and international recognition. ASM won Best Architectural Renovation from Wallpaper* Magazine in London, Award of Excellence from the Cleveland Engineering Society and has been published in prominent publications such as Architectural Record, Metropolis Magazine, ArchDaily and a number of local papers.

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