CITY OF ELGIN MAYOR & COUNCIL: Elgin's prestigious Mayor's Awards presented on May 1

By Press release submission

May 1, 2018

City of Elgin Mayor & Council issued the following announcement on April 25.

The Elgin Heritage Commission will honor outstanding contributors to Elgin's heritage at the prestigious Mayor’s Awards Ceremony held at the Historic (Former) Elgin High School Gymnasium, located at 355 E. Chicago Street in Elgin, on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. The gymnasium main entrance is located off Gifford Street with the accessible entrance located off Chicago Street. The reception begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by the award presentation at 7:00 p.m. Given annually by the Mayor, upon recommendation of the Elgin Heritage Commission, the awards recognize those who have preserved and promoted the heritage of Elgin.

Mayor David Kaptain will present nine recipients with preservation awards this year. Nominated by their peers, the award recipients were selected based upon their dedicated efforts to preserving Elgin’s historic architecture, neighborhoods, and cultural resources.

The Mayor’s Awards for Preservation will be presented to the following nine recipients:

Enhancing Elgin Committee: For organizing the Open Elgin event, which is a one day event that allows residents and visitors to explore Elgin’s unique architecture.
Church of the Brethren – General Offices: For preserving an excellent example of mid-century modern architecture and furniture of their building at 1451 Dundee Avenue.
Union National Bank: For preserving an excellent example of mid-century modern art and architecture of their building at 101 E. Chicago Street.
Fire Department 150th Anniversary Committee and Volunteers: For commemorating the history of the Elgin Fire Department by hosting a celebratory event on September 16, 2017.
Jackie and Ira Marcus: For serving as role models in preservation leadership. They educate, advocate, and preserve Elgin history as volunteers at the Elgin History Museum.
Steve and Laura Stroud: For the continual restoration of 653 Douglas Avenue by bringing back the original dormers on the North elevation.
Elgin Golferettes: For over 65 years of service as a women’s athletic organization for promoting teamwork, community pride as well as their history since beginning at the Elgin National Watch Factory in 1951.
George Rawlinson: For his continual volunteerism and support he has given in promoting Elgin and its heritage.
Capstone Development, Skender Construction & Webster Design: for the adaptive reuse of the Elgin Tower Building into the Elgin Tower Luxury Lofts.

Three heritage building plaques will also be presented to Elgin homeowners who have researched the history and architecture of their historic homes this year. Since the program’s establishment in 1986, over 500 plaques have been presented. This year’s recipients are:

Christopher & Stacey Purdy, 635 Brook Street
Paul & Laura Haske, 413 Douglas Avenue
Barry Roberts, 671 McClure Avenue

Additionally, the Elgin Heritage Commission and the Downtown Neighborhood Association – Design Committee will be announcing the winner of the Elgin Downtown Commercial Historic District signage competition. The Elgin Downtown Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. Elgin’s downtown is a traditional central city business district with pockets of commercial buildings from the mid-19th century through the 20th century. The winning design will represent this district and be installed throughout the downtown. This year’s top three designers include: