The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods today announced the 27 nominees for the 2010 Golden Hammer Awards, including local entrees in all 4 categories (Residential Renovation, Commercial Renovation, Urban Infill, and Neighborhood Design). ACORN is also recognizing the Union Hill Historic District Initiative and Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille.

The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods will announce this year’s winners in four categories– including a new one for “Neighborhood Design”– and give special awards to six honorees at the annual Golden Hammer Awards celebration on Thursday, November 11th, from 6:30 to 9 pm, at The Virginia War Memorial Paul & Phyllis Galanti Education Center, 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond 23220. Dr. Edward Ayers, President of the University of Richmond, will be the keynote speaker. […]

Tickets for the event, including a cocktail buffet, are $70 each or $100 per couple; $1,000 for a table for eight.

Reservations are required. Tickets may be purchased two ways: by check sent/brought to the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods, 104 Shockoe Slip, Lower Level, Richmond, VA 23219; charged online at www.richmondneighborhoods.org.

More information at info@richmondneighborhoods.org or (804) 644-5040.

Golden Hammer Award Honorees for 2010

Preservation Advocacy Award:

Union Hill Historic District Initiative
Knowing their unique community was in jeopardy, having lost dozens of houses to the wrecking ball, a group of Union Hill residents worked for nearly two years to successfully achieve City Old & Historic District status for their fragile neighborhood earlier this year.

Edmund A. Rennolds, Jr. Excellence in Architecture Award:

The Valentine Richmond History Center ~ William J. Martin
Under the leadership of its director, Bill Martin, The Valentine has successfully reached out to the city’s oldest neighborhoods– creating awareness of and interest in the history and the value of preserving these communities.

Neighborhood Conservator Award:

City of Richmond Attorney’s Office
This year the City Attorney’s Office has made significant progress in recognizing the importance of addressing the problem of vacant and blighted properties. Three individuals– Bonnie Ashley, Greg Lukanuski, and Melanie Mallery– have been especially active in pushing forward action to expedite the legal process against negligent owners, code violators and delinquent property taxes to save dozens of properties, particularly in the noteworthy case against Oliver Lawrence, owner of hundreds of vacant buildings blighting our historic neighborhoods.

Andrew Asch Historic Developer Award:

Property Results LLC
Charles Macfarlane, Sam McDonald, and Chris Dillon are honored for their work in the Manchester Industrial area. Early visionaries who saw the possibilities contained in its deserted and overlooked buildings, they have continued to be innovators– creating one of the city’s most sought-after places for urban living.

Marguerite Crumley Preservation Award:

The Honorable Cynthia Newbille
City Council member, Cynthia Newbille, represents the Seventh District– which includes most of the East End of Richmond. As one of the newest members of Council, she lost no time bringing people and entities together for the good of the multiple neighborhoods and is honored for her visionary leadership and working to help her district realize its extraordinary potential.

Special Recognition:

Elderhomes Corporation
For decades Elderhomes has worked to help people remain in their homes– providing weatherization and repair assistance and low-income housing to our senior population (especially in the city’s oldest communities)– and creating both renovation and appropriate new infill to meet affordable housing needs. Elderhomes has been nominated repeatedly for Golden Hammer awards for their quality product– proving that 21st-century affordable housing can not only be appropriate in historic communities, but also enhance a 19th-century block.

Gold Hammer Award Nominees

Winners to be announced at the event on November 11th

BEST RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION

9 North 29th Street (BELOW) ~ St. John’s Church

Pam & David Clarke

106-1/2 East Clay Street ~ Jackson Ward

Three Strands Management

516 North 25th Street (BELOW) ~ Church Hill North

William Kinsley

1208 Wilmington Avenue ~ Ginter Park

Traci & Mike Scribner

1213 West Leigh Street ~ Carver

Elderhomes Corporation

1417 Grove Avenue ~ Fan District

Dr. Susan Miller & Dr. Ken Kendler

2013 Grove Avenue ~ Fan District

Po Chau & Joshua Irwin

2614 Q Street (BELOW) ~ Church Hill North

1310-1312 LLC

3806 Noble Avenue ~ Ginter Park

Corinna & Clay Grogan

5506 Riverside Drive ~ Westover Hills

Carrie D. & Mark A. Larson

BEST COMMERCIAL RENOVATION

IVNA Building & Clinic, 219-223 South Cherry Street ~ Oregon Hill

Gammino Realty & Development

“The Tru-Ade Building,” 2824 East Broad Street (BELOW) ~ St. John’s Church

2824 East Broad Street LLC

B.T.Washington Plaza, 21 East Leigh Street ~ Jackson Ward

Washington Plaza Associates LP

Firehouse Engine Company Lofts, 2016 East Main Street ~ Shockoe Valley

Engine Company No. 2 LLC

Franklin Federal Savings & Loan, 626 East Broad Street ~ Downtown

The Wilton Companies LLC

Manchester Pie Factory, 612 Hull Street ~ Manchester

Jeremy Connell, 612 Hull LLC

Perry Place Apartments, 815 Perry Street ~ Manchester

Watson Brothers LLC

Xtras Cafe, 3322 West Cary Street ~ Carytown

Robert Moore

BEST URBAN INFILL PROJECT

812 North 27th Street (BELOW) ~ Church Hill North

Elderhomes Corporation

814 North 27th Street (BELOW) ~ Church Hill North

Elderhomes Corporation

1000 Porter Street ~ Manchester

Urban Development Associates

2205 Venable Street (BELOW) ~ Union Hill

Ismael Khan & Larry Niblett

Paul & Phyllis Galanti Education Center, 621 S. Belvidere Street ~ Oregon Hill

Commonwealth of Virginia

NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN

Chimborazo Playground Community Garden (BELOW) ~ St. John’s Church

City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities

Forest Hill Pond Restoration ~ Forest Hill/Woodland Heights

Friends of Forest Hill Park

Gillies Creek Park Tree Planting ~ Fulton

Richmond Tree Stewards

Tricycle Gardens Urban Farm ~ Manchester

Tricycle Gardens

(In the interest of full disclosure: I’m on the panel making the choices this year. – John m.)