The Maine Preservation organization held its 16th Annual Maine Preservation Statewide Honor Awards, at the Portland Country Club. The awards recognize owners, developers, professionals and leaders responsible for transformative historic preservation efforts throughout the state. Projects and individuals honored are responsible for restoration, rehabilitation and adaptive use projects that are catalysts for economic development, downtown revitalization and community enhancement. Four Wright-Ryan Construction projects were award recipients out of a total of fifteen such awards.
The first award, presented to the Colonial Inn in Ogunquit, was given in the category of commercial restoration and rehabilitation. Originally built in 1887, Wright-Ryan's exterior and interior renovations to the inn included new historic replacement windows, expanded hotel rooms, and new flooring, light and plumbing fixtures, sprinkler systems, and millwork.
The second award, given to Sanford Mill, recognized the renovation and adaptive use of the historic Goodall Textile Mill in Sanford, Me. The rehabilitation of the property created more than 22,000 s/f of commercial office and retail space and 36 residential units, including 9 subsidized apartments. Significant early twentieth century architectural features of the building were reused in addition to building system upgrades which exceed those found in many newly constructed buildings.
The third award, given to Elm Terrace in Portland, was presented for the 44,814 s/f historic renovation of the former Children's Hospital, built in 1909, located in Portland's West End District. Wright-Ryan constructed a prominent addition at the corner of Danforth and High St. patterned after the Federal style mansion that once stood on the site near the hospital. The building includes 38 units of affordable family housing, common laundry, offices, community space, and underground parking.
The fourth, presented to the Park St. School Apartments in Kennebunk, honored the projects adaptive use of the 1920s-era brick school building. The renovation preserved many historical elements including classroom chalkboards and coat closets, slate floors, glass-paned doors and transom windows. The building's original wood and cast stone trim was replicated to retain its historic facade. 12 apartments are located in the historic building, and another 18 apartments are housed in the property's new addition.