Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ontario honors downtown restorations and five preservation projects at Model Colony awards
Summary
City leaders presented the 26th annual Model Colony historic-preservation awards recognizing adaptive reuse and residential restorations, including rehabilitation of the Bank of Italy and Bumpstead Bicycles buildings and several rehabilitated homes that retain original character.
The Ontario City Council recognized five historic-preservation projects during its Model Colony awards presentation, highlighting adaptive reuse and careful rehabilitation that the city says strengthen downtown and preserve local character.
Rudy Zeledon, executive director of community development, and Ellie Antuna, senior planner, described projects that included a rehabilitation of the Bank of Italy and the adjacent Bumpstead Bicycles building, which restored historic brickwork, terracotta detailing and original window openings while adding modern accessibility and seismic improvements. Zeledon said the project converted the buildings into a dining destination with multiple restaurants and outdoor spaces, contributing economic activity to downtown Ontario.
Antuna presented three residential awards: a two-story accessory addition at 734 East F Street that preserves a craftsman bungalow’s prominence, a sensitive restoration and accessory structure at the Avenue Boarding House (a contributor to the College Park Historic District), and a rehabilitation at 712 East H Street that removed incompatible alterations and reinstated defining architectural features. She noted the Bank of Italy building dates to 1923 and the boarding house to 1884.
Mayor Leon thanked property owners, designers and contractors for investing in preservation work that keeps Ontario’s distinct architectural character, and encouraged continued collaboration between property owners and planning staff to maintain historic resources.
The awards ceremony preceded the council’s regular business and recessed briefly for photographs with recipients and planning commissioners. No formal actions were taken as part of the awards presentation.
