YOUNGSTOWN — The Historic Preservation Committee of the MVHS board of directors has announced the winners of the 2014 Historic Preservation Awards. These awards honor those in Mahoning and Trumbull counties who take an active role in preserving historic buildings, sites, and districts.
The categories and winners are as follows:
Commercial Revitalization Award
• Erie Terminal
The Erie Terminal Building was built in 1923 as a passenger depot and office building for the Erie Terminal Railroad/Erie-Lackawanna Railway.
This 55,000-square foot building has been transformed into a mixed-use project. Work on the ground floor removed newer partitions in the original passenger waiting room to restore its original open proportion; and surviving plaster walls and ceilings, originally-exposed brick wall detailing, terrazzo floors, wood trim, plaster cornices and original “schoolhouse” light fixtures were retained.
The upper floors were converted into a series of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, flanking the original corridor location, using sustainable design practices and employing energy efficient features.
Property owner: NYO Property Group; Project designer: City Architecture.
Community Revitalization Awards
• C.S. Lewis Institute at Trinity United Methodist Church
In 2013 the newly formed Northeast Ohio C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program became the Trinity United Methodist Church’s newest tenant. The alley entrance on the east side was rehabilitated to become the Fellows’ main entrance. A glass canopy was added above the entrance.
Inside, three community rooms surrounding the ground floor courtyard were renovated by installing new carpet tiles, furniture, technology upgrades and paint. The remaining fourth floor walls were re-configured.
This investment has helped secure the future of the Trinity United Methodist Church.
Property owner: Northeast Ohio C.S. Lewis Institute, a tenant of Trinity United Methodist Church; Project designer: Balog Steines Hendricks & Manchester Architects.
• Coffelt Hall
The building was originally constructed as an American Legion Post. The program called for the building to house the permanent home of the School of Graduate Studies and Research as well as renovating the building in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Structures.
A “porch” was added to accommodate the increased need for space. Renovations involved restoration and replication of historic elements such as plaster moldings, glazed tile flooring and walls, hardwood flooring and decorative millwork.
All new interior additions were executed in a contemporary motif.
Property owner: Youngstown State University; Project designer: Faniro Architects, Inc.
MVHS Directors’ Award of Achievement
• Austin Log Cabin & Austintown Historical Society
When demolition on a vacant home on South Raccoon road in Austintown started a log cabin was discovered under the artificial brick and wood siding. A deed search revealed that Calvin and Martha Austin (Calvin was a land agent for the Connecticut Land Company), sold the property to John Packard for $500. The deed does not indicate any buildings were on the land; however, evidence shows that the cabin was built prior to 1824. The cabin was named the Austin Log Cabin, to honor Calvin Austin.
From 1973 to 1976, volunteers raised $50,000 to preserve the log cabin and prepare it for public use. Work included a gas furnace, electrical wiring, a bathroom and plumbing and a new wood shake shingle roof.
Window frames were installed with glass from a 100-year-old home and a brick fireplace was added, with brick from a 100-year-old school house. The Austintown Historical Society maintains the cabin and provides educational tours to local schools and the general public.
Property owner: Austintown Township; Project designer: Austintown Historical Society.
• Mark C. Peyko
Peyko has an undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University, as well as a Master’s Degree in historic preservation planning from Eastern Michigan University. His thesis topic was centered on the historic downtown Youngstown buildings.
In 1992, Mark founded The Metro Monthly, a regional newspaper featuring historical articles about and photographs of historic Youngstown.
He was a charter member of the Wick Park Neighborhood, and was one of the firs to buy a home in the district, and president of the North Side Citizens’ Coalition.
Meeting
The winners will be honored at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s 139th annual meeting, set for June 17, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center, 325 W. Federal St., in downtown Youngstown.
For more information about the awards and the Historical Society, call 330-743-2589 or visit www.mahoninghistory.org.
