Residents, merchants honored with 2023 RAP awards

Posted on March 1, 2023 By Editor Neighborhood News, Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill

John Mills Architect, RAP Executive Director, Shannon Blankenship, Angela Schifanella and Nathan Miller, Miller Contracting Inc.

Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) hosted its 2023 annual meeting and awards ceremony at Riverside Church at the corner of Park and King streets on Thursday, Feb. 16.

The meeting included a presentation by RAP Executive Director Shannon Blankinship recapping 2022 and outlining plans for the coming year and Jacksonville historian and RAP Founder Dr. Wayne Wood led the 100-plus guests in a bicentennial quiz show about the city’s 200-year history.

Seven different awards were distributed in various categories.

The “Restoration and Rehabilitation 2023” award winners were: John and Natalie Mills (Singe Family); Denise Renbarger (Multi-Family); Plush N’ Prana (Retail); Josephine’s (Commercial); and Thou Art Exalted, TAE on Talbot (Commercial).

“New Construction” awards were given to Keith Combs and Dylan Rigdon with Matt Austin from Cardinal Contracting; and Glenn Chandler, Bold City Properties.

The Memorial Park Association and JaxParks were recognized with a Special Project award for the Memorial Park balustrade and grounds restoration.

The “Individual Service” award was given to Margaret Tocknell on the RAP Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; “Community Impact” awards were given with special recognition to the RAP Park Stewards program for meeting “its goal in 2022 to have a steward for each of our 26 historic parks” with an honorary mention for Ann and John Kopelousos for Yacht Basin Park.

Another “Community Impact” award for small businesses was awarded to the Southern Roots Filling Station.

The Historic Avondale Merchants was recognized with the “Featured Arts” award for its efforts to showcase local musicians in its monthly “Music on the Avenue” program.

Council Member Randy DeFoor was honored with the Wayne Wood Award, an award given in recognition of “outstanding service in the Riverside Avondale Historic District.”

“This year, RAP recognizes Councilwoman Randy DeFoor for her leadership, courage, and unwavering commitment to representing this district,” read the program. “As a public servant, Randy listened to community concerns, worked with City departments to seek solutions, and remained steadfast in keeping promises and completing projects….”

By Michele Leivas
Resident Community News

Photos courtesy of RAP

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