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Geneva marks National Preservation Month and recognizes local restoration projects
Summary
At its May 4 meeting the council celebrated National Preservation Month: the Historic Preservation Commission announced workshops and walking tours and presented awards to local property restorations, including 501 Hamilton, 318 South 5th and 101 West State Street. Owners and contractors described project details and thanked staff for assistance.
The City of Geneva observed National Preservation Month at its May 4 council meeting with a presentation by the Historic Preservation Commission representative (speaker 7). The HPC announced a resources-and-permitting workshop on May 11, two walking tours on May 19 and May 27, and a follow-up story map for self-guided tours.
The HPC presented awards recognizing significant rehabilitation work completed over the past two years. Projects honored included 501 Hamilton (major addition and entrance relocation; owner Matthew Mayer of Gray Roth Properties), a Frank Lloyd Wright–associated house at 318 South 5th (trellis reconstructed to original studio drawings), and a commercial facade rehabilitation at 101 West State Street (masonry repair, window replacement and custom millwork). The HPC noted that some projects received American Rescue Plan Act funds administered by the city, while an adaptive-reuse grant remains available for other properties.
Award recipients and contractors spoke about technical restoration details: Dennis Kintop (speaker 9) described hands-on construction and historic material finds; Patricia McLaughlin (speaker 6) described following original plans and structural reinforcement; and Matthew Mayer (speaker 13) praised city and inspection staff for support. McLaughlin suggested the city consider waiving building permit fees for preservation projects to encourage work.
Council members thanked the HPC and awardees; staff said further details and registration links for events will be posted. The HPC will hold the May meeting on May 19 following a walking tour that ends at City Hall.
