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Heritage Ohio has awarded the “Preservation
Hero” to the City of Piqua. Public Works Director Tom Zechman
accepted the award Thursday, May 8, 2008 at Heritage
Ohio’s Annual Preservation and Revitalization Awards
Ceremony held at the Bowen Thompson Student Union on the campus
of Bowling Green State University. The Awards Ceremony is held
in conjunction with Heritage Ohio’s Statewide Conference.
The City received the award for
the leadership it showed in the restoration of the Fort Piqua
Hotel. “The City of Piqua has shown a commitment to historic
preservation not only by demonstrating exceptional leadership in
saving a building that could have been demolished but also by
funding a Main Street program, administering two CDBG downtown
revitalization block grants and undertaking three different
phases of a streetscaping.” says Heritage Ohio Executive
Director Joyce Barrett. The City of Piqua was nominated for the
award by Mainstreet
Piqua, Inc.
“All the communities,
organizations and individuals receiving awards today have
demonstrated a local commitment to sustaining and growing the
preservation and revitalization movement. Ohioans are concerned
about the future of their heritage,” stated W. Kevin Pape,
Board Chair of Heritage Ohio. Added Pape, “The inspiration
these award winners provide to other communities will pay
dividends far into the future.”
More than 20 communities,
organizations and individuals submitted nominations for
consideration. The awards recognize the numerous preservation
and revitalization accomplishments of downtowns and
neighborhoods across the state. The Selection Committee reported
an increased level of quality in nominations, awarding 9
categories at this year's event.
Heritage Ohio is the statewide,
not-for-profit preservation organization, dedicated to
encouraging and assisting people and organizations to protect,
preserve and revitalize Ohio’s heritage. Formed in 1989,
Heritage Ohio has more than 500 members ranging from individuals
and households to organizations and local governments. In 2002,
Heritage Ohio was designated as the statewide partner of the
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Heritage Ohio has received
support from the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of
Housing and Community Partnerships, the National Trust for
Historic Preservation, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office,
National City Bank and Huntington Bank.
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