Excellence in Preservation Awards Announced

ALBANY, NY (05/04/2011)(readMedia)--

The Preservation League of New York State will honor CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO) of Syracuse for Organizational Excellence in Historic Preservation.

The League's statewide awards program honors notable achievements in retaining, promoting and reusing New York State's irreplaceable architectural heritage.

"CenterState CEO, the successor organization to the Syracuse Metropolitan Development Association, has reinvented itself by reaching beyond the roles of a traditional economic and business development organization," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "The group's recognition of the key role preservation plays in redevelopment opportunities at the local level and support of New York's Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit has been instrumental in securing adoption of this legislation."

CenterState CEO was a driving force behind successful and ongoing historic preservation projects in Syracuse, including the Landmark Theatre in the 300 block of South Salina Street, adjacent to Armory Square, and the Pike Block project, also located along Syracuse's primary commercial corridor. Recognizing the importance of green and sustainable industries in revitalizing Central New York, CenterState CEO also sponsors The Clean Tech Center, which provides for the incubation, acceleration and retention of companies in the clean technology sector.

Assemblymember Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo, Grand Island), a 2010 recipient of an Excellence in Historic Preservation Award, said: "CenterState CEO most clearly represents the all-important links among historic preservation, economic development, Smart Growth, sustainability and downtown revitalization. CenterState CEO has been an indispensable part of the statewide preservation movement in New York, providing essential leadership in the business community in our successful efforts to pass a strong historic rehabilitation tax credit in New York and subsequently to improve upon that legislation. I was pleased and honored to nominate CenterState for this prestigious award."

The award will be presented at the Preservation League's Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony in New York City at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12th at the historic New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street.

The complete list of award winners is: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Interior, Albany County; The Franklin Building, Jefferson County; The Knox Building, the New York Public Library Exterior, and Pierpont Morgan's 1906 Library Interior, all in New York County; 1844 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, Onondaga County; and Montour House, Schuyler County. Uncovering the Underground Railroad, Abolitionism and African American Life in Wayne County, New York: 1820-1880 by Judith Wellman and Marjory Allen Perez will be honored as an outstanding publication. CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity in Syracuse will be honored for organizational excellence. Howard Kirschenbaum will be honored for individual excellence for his contribution to historic preservation in the Adirondack Park.

"In New York State, the preservation and reuse of our historic buildings is fundamental to the economic revitalization of our cities, towns, and villages. The League's annual Awards program allows us to share preservation success stories that may one day serve as inspiration to others," said DiLorenzo. "Each year, we are impressed by the number and variety of laudable nominations, and this year was no exception. We are delighted to present this award to Rob Simpson and CenterState CEO, and to give the organization the statewide recognition it deserves."

The Preservation League's Excellence in Historic Preservation awards program is funded by a generous grant from the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation of Miami, Florida.

By leading a statewide preservation movement, sharing information and expertise and raising a unified voice, the Preservation League of New York State promotes historic preservation as a tool to revitalize our neighborhoods and communities, honor our heritage and enrich our lives.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Rob Simpson, CenterState CEO

315-422-8284; rsimpson@centerstateceo.com

Posted Wednesday May 04, 2011 at 03:26 pm by Preservation League of New York State
Last Updated Friday May 20, 2011 at 02:41 pm