RAP recognizes outstanding preservation efforts, elects new board
Something old, something new. An apropos saying for Riverside Avondale Preservation as the organization hosted its annual preservation awards presentation on Feb. 24.
Something old is, of course, the Outstanding Home Renovation at 1873 Powell Street, by Jeff Schaefer of Jeffrey E. Schaefer Master Builder, Inc., and Melody Bishop, Akel Logan Shafer Architects and Planners. It is also the Outstanding Business Renovation on 2357 Riverside Ave. by and for Troy Spurlin Interiors.
Something new is a returning category – Outstanding Neighborhood Architect – for Milan Malinovic, Design Cooperative, who contributed to the award-winning Mellow Mushroom, for which owner John Valentino accepted the award for Outstanding Historically Compatible New Construction.
Also receiving awards were Nick Wagner, Black Hive Tattoo, and David Joudi, Riverside Liquors, for Neighborhood Friendly/Contributing Businesses. “Wagner was a driving force getting other businesses on board for the Dog Days of Summer fundraising event for the John Gorrie Dog Park,” said RAP board member Tempest Arant. Joudi won the award for continuing to sponsor the annual Riverside Wine Fest that benefits RAP.
Outstanding Neighborhood Advocate was given to Robin Lumb and it’s no surprise, given Councilman Lumb’s successful efforts to effect changes to the proposed I-10/I-95 Interchange project. Lumb led a successful “campaign” to get the Florida Department of Transportation to reconsider some of its original plans, including the additional of a multi-use path across the Fuller Warren Bridge. According to Carmen Godwin, executive director, Lumb “contributed greatly in getting the JEA to the table to save the tree canopy.”
Joy Walker, who chaired the 2014 Riverside Avondale Preservation Home Tour, was named Outstanding RAP Board Member. “We had our most successful year yet and we can attribute that her!” said Arant. “She was overwhelmingly voted by her fellow board members.”
Four residents were recognized as Outstanding RAP Volunteers: Bob Pendell, Larry Mendlow, Peggy Richardson, and Cathy Heffernan, who were described as “volunteer superstars” by RAP Volunteer Coordinator Torrie Parette. “All of them have volunteered in one capacity or another for all of our different events and office needs,” she said. “They are always available to give some time and often volunteer for multiple duties/shifts.”
New Board of Directors Officers
Chair: Sunny Gettinger – Moved from San Francisco four years ago, telecommutes to work for Google, lives in Riverside
Vice Chair: Tempest Arant – A Jacksonville native, owns a historic Riverside home
Vice Chair: Mary Coleman – A Jacksonville native, lives in Avondale
Vice Chair: Malcolm Jones – A native of North Carolina, lives in Avondale
Vice Chair: Tyler Lasher Morris – A Florida native, lives in Avondale, writes community blog “The Boys from Cherry Street”
Treasurer: Allan DeVault – Born, raised in Riverside Avondale, manages Black Sheep Restaurant
Secretary: Steve Congro – A 2004 JU graduate, lives in Riverside
Directors
Mike Barker – A Jacksonville native, life-long resident of Riverside/Avondale/Ortega
Rocco Carbone – A new Jersey native, lives in Riverside in walking distance of 5 Points
Dr. Iris Eisenberg – A resident in Riverside since mid-1970s, a board-certified pediatrician and flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force Reserves
Keith Holt – A resident of Avondale for 22 years, past chair of Luminaria Committee
Jason Mehta – Grew up in Gainesville, lives in Riverside
Nancy Powell – Grew up near Chicago, lives in Avondale since 1990
Asghar Syed – Born, raised in Kuwait, was actively involved in TEDxJacksonville
Joy Walker – Born, raised in Elizabethtown, KY, lives in Riverside since 1999, serving 4th time as chairperson for RAP Spring Tour of Homes
Dr. Wayne Wood, permanent ex-officio board member – Founder of RAP, originator of RAM, published author, retired optometrist, historian, lives in neighborhood since 1971