2014 PACNY Award Feature #10 – Samuel D. Gruber Ph.D.
PACNY is pleased to present the Jasena R. Foley Public Education Award to Dr. Samuel D. Gruber for his ongoing, sustained leadership and contribution to education, promotion, and advocacy of historic preservation in Central New York over the last 20 years.
Dr. Gruber has consistently raised his voice in support of efforts to preserve vital elements of the region’s built environment and is one of the most visible advocates for the historic preservation movement in Central New York. In addition, Dr. Gruber has been an outstanding public educator about historic buildings, neighborhoods, and artistic treasures in the area. Dr. Gruber regularly hosts walking tours of historic neighborhoods such as Westcott, the Valley, and West Onondaga Street.
He consistently volunteers to provide lectures to many local community groups and serves as a contact to the media for local history and historic preservation issues. Through these efforts, he has helped to promote a genuine appreciation for the built environment that surrounds us as well as the importance of protecting historic resources throughout the community.
2014 PACNY Award Feature #11 – Babcock-Shattuck House – Exterior Restoration
PACNY is pleased to present the Pat Earle Award, for an outstanding historic preservation project that benefits the community, to the University Neighborhood Preservation Association, Home Headquarters, Crawford & Stearns Architects and Preservation Planners, and CNY Builder Services for the exterior restoration of the Babcock-Shattuck House in Syracuse.
Additional project partners include the Preservation League of New York State, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. This award recognizes that not only is the project an outstanding example of the preservation and restoration of a historic property, but also the profound impact and transformative potential that this project represents for the larger University/Westcott neighborhood. The Babcock-Shattuck House sits at an important crossroads in the eastern side of Syracuse and serves as a visible and prominent gateway to this neighborhood.
The successful completion of the exterior restoration of the Babcock-Shattuck House also demonstrates the potential for positive outcomes when the community unites to achieve a common vision. This award recognizes and celebrates nearly two decades of advocacy and dedication by many community volunteers and organizations to restore this significant landmark.
2014 PACNY Award Feature #12 – Kallet Theater and Conference Center
PACNY is pleased to present the Pat Earle Award, for a singular outstanding historic preservation project that benefits the community, to Vince Lobdell, the Village of Pulaski, and the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board for the restoration of the Kallet Theater. Project funding sources include New York State’s Restore NY and NY Main Street Grant Programs, and National Grid’s Main Street Grant Program.
Restoration of the Kallet Theater was identified in the 2009 Village Comprehensive Plan as a potential catalytic rehabilitation project for the Village of Pulaski. The theater is a striking example of an Art Deco building that, by the first decade of the 21st century, was sadly deteriorated, in use as an auto parts store, and facing demolition. Because of the determination and commitment of the developer, project partners, and funding entities, this 1938 gem of a theater has been returned to service as a home for the arts in Pulaski.
Congratulations for recognizing the potential value of this outstanding historic property and revitalizing it to serve as a community resource.
