In honor of National Preservation Month, the Landmarks Preservation Commission has released its list of 2005 Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation Award recipients. This year’s list recognizes the preservation efforts of Tacoma’s grassroots organizations, residential homeowners, public planning and the arts.

The 2005 Preservation Awards will be presented at the City Council meeting tonight.

The award recipients include:

1. Save Our Bridge Organization

The efforts of the Save Our Bridge Organization, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the historic Murray Morgan Bridge, have resulted in the City Council’s interest in acquiring the bridge from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The bridge had been slated for demolition.

2. Bob’s Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way

Bob’s Java Jive truly lives up to the definition of a landmark. Built in 1929, it is an excellent and “world famous” example of mimetic, or “roadside,” architecture. Such commercial buildings were designed to attract business from passing motorists by imitating common objects, and they are fast disappearing from our historic highways. Bob’s owner, Danette Staatz, nominated her building as a landmark in 2003.

3. Cooper House, 710 N. Ainsworth

Renovated in 2004, this North Slope home was neglected and in poor repair before the owners undertook the enormous task of restoring it. The Landmarks Preservation Commission applauds the efforts of homeowners in the North Slope and throughout Tacoma, who have gone through the substantial effort of restoring and preserving Tacoma’s historic houses.

4. Larsen House, 3102 N. 30th St.

Another renovation in 2004, this historic home was renovated from the studs out. Listed on the Tacoma Historical Society’s Grand Tour of Homes last year, the Idius Larsen House is now a prominent visual example of the foursquare form common in early Tacoma neighborhoods.

5. Fern Hill Elementary School and Friends

The City of Tacoma is fortunate to have a fine collection of historic neighborhood schools. Due to the support and participation of the Fern Hill Community, the Fern Hill School is now slated to be rehabilitated instead of replaced. The Commission applauds the District and Fern Hill residents for ensuring Fern Hill’s preservation.

6. Seymour Conservatory and Wright Park Master Plan

Metro Parks Tacoma took the lead in the beautiful restoration of the Seymour Conservatory, and demonstrated its commitment as a steward of Tacoma’s history with the Wright Park Master Plan, completed in early 2005. Metro Parks showed how community-based planning and historic preservation can work together.

7. Anne deMille-Flood

Many Tacoma residents will recognize the work of Anne deMille-Flood, whose colored pencil renderings include many of the city’s most well-known historic buildings. Ms. deMille-Flood’s work showcases Tacoma’s historic character and contributes to the pride and respect Tacoma residents have for their history.