City News Blog: 2022 Historic Preservation Award Winners Announced

LAKELAND, FL (May 19, 2022) | Since 1985, Historic Lakeland, Inc. and the City of Lakeland’s Historic Preservation Board have recognized people and organizations doing the important work of historic preservation in our community at an annual awards ceremony. The event is held in May in recognition of Historic Preservation Month.

The 2022 Historic Preservation Awards ceremony at the Polk Theatre on Monday, May 16^th celebrated the achievements of 15 winners and one honorable mention in six categories:

SPECIAL AWARDS

The Polk Theatre — Excellence in Historic Preservation Certificate and Medal from the Lakeland Daughters of the American Revolution, presented by J. Lenora Bresler. The elegant 1,400-seat theatre was built in 1928 but later fell into disrepair. In 1982, a group of concerned citizens formed a non-profit group to save it from demolition. They borrowed money, secured a grant from the state, and purchased the theatre for $300,000. Major restoration was completed in October 1999 although, as with any historic property, the theatre continues to need ongoing maintenance and preservation. The award recognizes those efforts.

COMMERCIAL PRESERVATION

Shawn Jones and Matt Tucker of JB Realty Partners — Commercial Historic Preservation Award for the outstanding adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of the former Nathan’s Men’s Store Building at 221 East Main Street, which now serves as the Lakeland branch of Wauchula State Bank, offices for Kimley-Horn, and the Banquet61 special events space. The blonde brick building features architectural elements of the Italianate and Mediterranean Revival styles and has overlooked Munn Park since 1912.
Scott Kontny – Commercial Historic Preservation Award for the outstanding rehabilitation of the former Butterfield Grocery and Storm Drugstore at 719 East Palmetto Street in the South Lake Morton Historic District. The building, constructed in 1924, sat vacant for several years before getting new life through a major renovation. It now houses three retail storefronts.

RESIDENTIAL PRESERVATION

Kenneth Harris — Residential Historic Preservation Award for the outstanding rehabilitation of the J.M. Holland House at 1923 Pawnee Trail in the Beacon Hill Historic District, a Spanish Mission style home built circa 1922.
Anan Smith — Residential Historic Preservation Award for the outstanding rehabilitation of the A. H. Lane House at 521 South Ingraham Avenue in the East Lake Morton Historic District, a one-story frame vernacular home built circa 1924.
Bert Lutz and Eva Briggs — Residential Historic Preservation Award for the outstanding rehabilitation of the J. W. Payne House at 315 Riggins Street in the South Lake Morton Historic District, a bungalow built circa 1921.
Brent and Laura Shelburne — Residential Historic Preservation Award for the outstanding rehabilitation of the Ivan and Mae Mackey house at 817 Johnson Avenue in the South Lake Morton Historic District, a two-story frame vernacular home built circa 1922.
Anthony Newman — Residential Historic Preservation Award for the outstanding rehabilitation of the I. G. Tweedell House at 823 Hollingsworth Road in the Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District, a two-story Colonial Revival home built circa 1927.
Matthew and Katherine Schichtel — Honorable Mention for the historically sensitive repair and restoration of the original windows of the Chester McDonald House at 155 Lake Morton Drive in the South Lake Morton Historic District, a red brick Colonial Revival home built circa 1947.

COMPATIBLE INFILL

Florida Southern College — Award of Outstanding Achievement in Compatible Infill for the design and construction of the Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood Learning and Lamar Louise Curry Education Center building at 1040 Frank Lloyd Wright Way in the Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District. Designed by The Lunz Group and built by Henckelman Construction in 2020, the design of the new two-story structure references the neighboring Robert’s Academy buildings as well as Florida Southern College’s more modern buildings.
Jennifer Batts, Craig Morby, and the Lakeland CRA — Award of Outstanding Achievement in Compatible Infill for design and construction of The Yard on Mass building at 802 North Massachusetts Avenue. The masonry building, designed by KCMH Architects, reflects the aesthetics and tradition of early 20th century commercial buildings with broad storefront windows and a stepped parapet roof.
Florida Presbyterian Homes — Award of Outstanding Achievement in Compatible Infill for design and construction of the home at 33 Lake Hunter Drive in the Dixieland Historic District. The new house designed by CMHM architects and completed by JefCo Associates Construction in 2021 displays the neo-traditional aesthetics of a frame vernacular bungalow.
Matthew and Gail Lyons — Award of Outstanding Achievement in Compatible Infill for design and construction of their home at 1031 Pennsylvania Avenue in the South Lake Morton Historic District. Completed in 2021 by Sharrett Construction after the original house was struck by lightning and burned beyond repair, the new Craftsman bungalow is highly compatible with historic structures in the community.
Mark Hulbert and Hulbert Homes, Inc. — Award of Outstanding Achievement in Compatible Infill for design and construction of two bungalow-style houses at 601 and 605 Ariana Street in the Dixieland Historic District.

CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

Albert Moore of Albert Moore Construction — 2022 Contractor of the Year Award for a variety of projects including the restoration of the Dr. John Lester House at 1923 S. Florida Avenue in the Beacon Hill Historic District; the restoration of the historic home and construction of a compatible new garage apartment at 839 Johnson Avenue; the compatible construction of a new 2-unit apartment building at 756 Winfree Avenue, the restoration of a historic apartment building at 748 Winfree Avenue; the relocation of Gene Holloway’s Tudor House from Lake Hollingsworth to Dixieland; and the relocation of a historic bungalow from 721 East Orange Street to 711 East Lime Street.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Jim Edwards — 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award in Historic Preservation for his outstanding efforts and commitment to promoting and protecting our community’s historic treasures. Jim was a founding member of Historic Lakeland, Inc., he has been instrumental in designating Lakeland’s historic districts, and he has played an enormous role in the revitalization of Munn Park and Downtown.

For more information, please call Emily Foster, Historic Preservation Planner at 863-834-6094.

Contact

Kevin Cook
Director of Communications
City of Lakeland
863.834.6264
Kevin.Cook@LakelandGov.net

About Lakeland

The City of Lakeland was incorporated in January 1885 and has grown to become one of the largest inland communities in Florida. With a current population of over 100,000, Lakeland continues to grow. It has been designated a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area by the US Census Bureau for over 30 years. With tourist attractions and gulf beaches only an hour away, Lakeland continues to capitalize on its ideal central Florida location along the I-4 corridor. The City owns and operates Lakeland Electric, the third-largest publicly owned utility in Florida and it was one of the first to offer power in the Sunshine State over 110 years ago.

For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please visit www.lakelandgov.net. Citizens are also invited to follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Snapchat and Nextdoor. Citizens can find the City of Lakeland on these social media platforms by searching lakelandgov.

For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
Citizens are also invited to follow the City on social media.

Posted by Communications on 19 May 2022