Geneva's historic preservation award winners lauded by mayor

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns will award nine Historic Preservation awards during the committee of the whole meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 24, at city hall. The awards presentation is a part of this year's celebration of Historic Preservation Month.

The jury that reviewed the projects included Jan Mangers, director, Historic Preservation Commission in Aurora; Doug Kaare, village planner, Oak Park; Larry Shure, Landmarks Division, Chicago; and Michael Lambert, architect with Arris Architects, and former chairman of the Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission.

This year's awards program reflects the continued efforts and improvement of properties by the dedicated property owners of Geneva. Some awards are for smaller projects which may reflect a sign of the times, but highlights the excellent improvements property owners continue to make to their properties.

Following is the list of awards:

• Exterior Rehabilitation, Commercial: 205 W. State St. Project: Exterior rehabilitation including removal of transom covering, repair of transom windows, repair of storefront system, repainting, window replacements on second floor (non-original windows). Property owner: Mike and Joy Abts. Contractor: Wes Repp, RGI Construction

• Exterior Rehabilitation, Commercial: 218 W. State St. Project: Restoration/repainting of historic sign. Business owner: Miguel Perez. Contractor: Hector Montana.

• Exterior Rehabilitation, Residential: 502 S. Fourth St. Project: Repair and replacement of wood siding and wood architectural details. Property owner: Jennifer and John Rittenhouse. Contractor: Matt Trainor, Trainor Built

• Exterior Rehabilitation, Residential: 515 South St. Restoration of one-story porch (removal of second-story addition). Property owner: Colleen and John Stoetzl. Architect: Sean Gallagher

• Exterior Rehabilitation, Commercial: 226 W. State St. Project: Repair/replacement of stone sills/lintels. Property owner: Mike Simon. Contractor: Art Seyler

• Exterior Rehabilitation, Commercial: City Hall, 22 S. First St. Project: Roof replacement/restoration; restoration of south entry porch. Property owner: City of Geneva. Contractors: Mike Driessen of Driessen Construction and John Harris of All American Exterior Solutions. Project manager: Chuck Lencioni, building commissioner

• Preservation Planning, Design Guidelines for Historic Properties, City of Geneva: Project teams: Scott Roy, chairman; Nanette Andersson, commissioner; and city staff Dick Untch and Karla Kaulfuss.

• Preservation Awards - Honorable Mention: Exterior Rehabilitation, Commercial: 10-12 S. Third St. Project: pestoration of transom windows. Property owner: Angelo Dangles

• Preservation Awards - Honorable Mention: Site Improvements: 328 S. Third St. Project: Design of decorative fence. Property owner: Steve Burnham

For more information, contact Karla Kaulfuss, Historic Preservation Planner, at (630) 938-4541 or kkaulfuss@geneva.il.us.