Most Enhanced Awards 2014 – The Oscars of Revitalization

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The Landmarks Association of St. Louis hosted the 2014 Most Enhanced Awards at the fantastically revitalized Sun Theater, 3627 Grandel Square, with grace, history and humor. This event recognizes excellence in restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of St. Louis’ architectural heritage. Executive Director of Landmarks, Andrew Weil, was MC for the evening and handled his role with humor, charm, and wit.
Many recognizable figures graced the stage including Steve Smith, a principal at The Lawrence Group and Mayor Francis Slay. Talk about a rising tide; Rise Community Development accepted an award for work on Fox Manor in Dutchtown and Jesse and Ron Mueller accepted their award for the role they played in the revitalization of Rise Coffee House in the Grove. Jesse quoted Martin Luther King: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
This was an important and inspiring event. Every person or group that received and award had a captivating story that went with their building or development. Congratulations to all the winners and to the Landmarks Association for hosting a wonderful event. I can’t wait for next year! L.P.

Old North House Tour a Smashing Success!

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The Old North Home Grown Celebration and House Tour was well worth the walk! Each house or place has its own unique story and people that go with those stories. Just a few of the folks I met were Travis Sheridan at 1408 Wright Ave., Reverend Jon Stratton from the Episcopal Service Corps. and Robin Bennet at a Rise revitalized apartment. This area is getting stronger every day.

L.P.

Public Visioning Session for Historic Wabash Station

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For full viewing please click on either image.

Rise President Stephen Acree is panelist at 2014 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Affordable Housing

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The 2014 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Affordable Housing was a great success this year April 22-23 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, Illinois. The honorable Governor Pat Quinn shared his commitment to affordable housing in Illinois and Affordable Housing Champion Awardees inspired attendees with their amazing accomplishments and impact on the quality of life of residents in Illinois. To learn more about the conference click here.

There were 17 panels on topics from housing finance and asset management to housing, education and healthcare. One of those panels was called  “Fair Housing: Balancing Opportunity and Disparity.”  Fairness and equal access to opportunity are critical to the effective distribution of federal resources. This panel of experts dicussed how HUD’s Fair Housing and Equity Assessment (FHEA) and recent Department of Justice Fair Housing cases have provided new insight into the priorities for affordable housing resources and how those resources are balanced.

The panel moderator was Maris Novara, Program Director, Chicago Metropolitan Planning Council.

Panel Members included:

  1. Stephen Acree, President , Rise Community Development (far right)
  2. Jane Hornstein, Deputy Director, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, Department of Planning and Development (far left)
  3. Alan Quick, Director, Strategic Planning and Research, Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) (second from left)
  4. Mary Ellen Tamasy, President, Lake County Residential Development Corporation (third from left)

IHDA Conference Panel 2014