More than 600 attendees gathered Wednesday, May 12, 2010 for the 17th annual Preservation Achievement Awards luncheon. The luncheon, held in the historic Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, recognized individuals, organizations and 21 Grand Jury projects that exemplify extraordinary accomplishment in the field of historic preservation. One of the city’s most recognized ballrooms, 450 acres of sprawling suburban farmland, a historic Quaker landmark, a legendary department store converted to offices and a former office building converted to a luxury boutique hotel were among the diverse winners of the 2010 Preservation Achievement Awards.

Since 1894, the University of Pennsylvania's Mask & Wig Club has produced original musical comedy theater in its Bavarian-style clubhouse on Quince Street. The National Register-listed building was designed by prominent architect Wilson Eyre and features original murals by renowned painter Maxfield Parrish. A comprehensive facility assessment completed in 2003 identified a number of pressing needs for the building, including correcting deteriorated framing, inadequate ventilation, outdated electrical services, limited ADA accessibility and life safety systems, and making sundry exterior repairs.

Though these proposed interventions were critical for the long-term health of the building, its artwork, and occupants, the original design allowed very little flexibility for adaptation. Interstitial spaces were limited, and the building was constructed to lot lines on the three sides. By excavating new basement space, identifying underutilized back-of-house areas, and creating a discrete rear roof platform, new systems are largely concealed and allow for an unchanged visitor experience.

Disaster was averted three weeks from the project's completion, when a small attic fire was suppressed before spreading throughout the building. Though structural damage was limited, smoke and water damage to the building's irreplaceable murals required significant restoration. Today, the interiors look better than any time in the club's recent memory, with amenities and services designed to serve the club and its audience for years to come.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As many of you are aware, I am a proud business owner. Recently my hard work and dedication was recognized as one of the winners of the Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Awards. I am honored to be named one of this year's Top 100 MBE® Award winners.

The scope of the Top 100 MBE® Awards Ceremony included women and minority owned businesses from the State of Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia and Virginia with a reach of more than 400,000 women and minority business owners. With more than 1,400 nominations from businesses across the region, a panel of distinguished judges chose the winners based on demonstrated outstanding achievement in four key areas: entrepreneurship, client satisfaction, professionalism and community contributions.

The host organizations for this year's ceremony were: the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), Southwest Airlines, the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, The Parren J. Mitchell Foundation, and The Center for Business Inclusion and Diversity, a minority business created by Sharon R. Pinder, founder of the Top 100 MBE Awards.

Sincerely,

Caryn Helhowski, President
E&M Engineering, Inc.