Corning’s Gaffer District and the Market Street Restoration Agency are pleased to recognize local community members for excellence in building renovation and historic preservation in 2016.
The 2016 Pan Awards, an award that the Market Street Restoration Agency began presenting in mid-1980 to celebrate excellence in sign and building design, are presented each year in May in honor of National Preservation month. Corning’s revitalization efforts began in 1974, with the Market Street Restoration Agency—created to improve Corning's appearance and stabilize the downtown commercial area. The group, made up of local business owners and leaders, was so successful in this mission that the Corning example, along with several other National Trust projects with other cities, lead to a national Main Street program, aimed at economic revitalization and preservation of existing buildings.
2016 Pan Award Recipients
- Jessica Edger Hillman & Eiron Smith - Excellence in Building Renovation (Hawkes Building, 77 W. Market St, Corning, NY)
- Alissa Hogue, Business Owner of Serendipity - Excellence in Sign Design (52 S. Bridge St)
- JD Young, Building Owner/Developer - Excellence in Facade Renovation (85 W. Market St)
- Michael Orr - Lifetime Achievement
The T.G. Hawkes project which began in 2014, brought about a merging of the old and new. The site, which is so critical to the history of glassmaking in Corning, NY, (T.G. Hawkes, namesake of the building, owner of the former glass factory, and co-founder of Steuben Glass Works in 1903) brings a modern, loft-style living space to a historic building. Jessica Edger Hillman & Smith, building owners and developers of 77 West Market Street, are extremely proud of their significant achievement in the annals of development in Corning’s Gaffer District. This is the first major development project that has been led by women: Jessica Edger, Eiron Smith and architect Elise Johnson-Schmidt.
The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Michael for his preservation and stewardship of the Hawkes Building for over 30 years, which has enabled the building to be revitalized utilizing the historic features and mechanical equipment he retained throughout his ownership. His tenacious care of the third floor factory space enabled the original character defining sawtooth skylights to be retained and the mechanical equipment to be reused in the revitalization of the building.
Jessica Edger, Vice President & CEO of Edger Enterprises, Inc, shared “This is a great honor to receive the Award for Excellence in Building Renovation. Building is our passion and we feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work on such a great historical project in the City of Corning and the Gaffer District. We could not be happier with how this project turned out and the history we were able to preserve in this renovation. The city of Corning is such a great place and to now have contributed to this great city is award enough for me and my company. We greatly appreciate this honor!”
“Historic preservation is an important initiative in Upstate New York and I am thrilled to have been part of the project team. Corning, New York is my home and I want it to be strong for a long time, not just for my family, but for future generations," stated Eiron Smith, President of Howell, Liberatore & Associates, Inc. "This has been an exciting and unique project for me, and I am humbled to be receiving this prestigious award.”
Among other major projects in New York State, such as the United Nations Campus Headquarters on Manhattan’s east side and the Renaissance Albany Hotel (at the historic DeWitt Clinton Hotel Building) in Albany, the work done to restore and preserve the Hawkes Building caught the attention of the NYS Preservation League. Elise Johnson-Schmidt, accompanied by Corning’s Gaffer District officials accepted the 2016 Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation in New York City at the historic NY Yacht Club in Manhattan, on Wednesday, May 11.
NYS Preservation League Excellence Awards
- Project team includes: Johnson-Schmidt Architect, P.C., Edger Enterprises & Eiron Smith of Corning - Excellence in Historic Preservation
“The Preservation League of NY was extremely enthusiastic about the project’s preservation of not only the building’s artifacts and historic integrity, but also the building’s importance in the glass industry. The role that T.G. Hawkes played in bringing Frederick Carder to Corning, which resulted in the creation of the Steuben Glassworks, and ultimately Steuben, is embodied in this building. It is truly an honor to have received this award along with such notable projects as The United Nations façade restoration, Woodstock’s concert hall, and five other projects across the state,” stated Elise Johnson-Schmidt, Principal Architect and Owner of Johnson-Schmidt & Associates Architects.
“In 2015, the Corning’s Gaffer District team worked together to explore ways for the entire district to embrace the opportunities for economic vitality, improved design and a means to find its individual personalities. Corning, NY is a treasure of a downtown, full of history and excitement,” commented Kristen Stewart, Director of Preservation & Design of Corning’s Gaffer District.
The economic vitality and development front demonstrated record growth in 2015. New construction projects began in all areas of the District with the most activity taking place in residential development. Several new residential units were added, bringing the number of upper-story living spaces to 125 throughout Corning’s Gaffer District.
For more information on the Market Street Restoration Agency and the Pan Awards contact Kristen Stewart, (607) 937-6292 or kristen@gafferdistrict.com.
