Riverside Avondale Preservation is pleased to announce that we received a number of nominations for acts of service and building projects completed in 2024, many deserving recognition for outstanding work. For renovation, restoration, or new construction projects, a small jury of seasoned architects selected this year’s winners, and another panel of experts selected individuals or businesses for outstanding public service and community projects. Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Preservation and Service Awards! We are grateful for your passion, talents, and the value you bring to our shared neighborhood. We couldn’t be the exceptional historic district we are, fueled by hand-in-hand grassroots people power, without your inimitable perspectives.
Volunteer of the Year
Jen Graham
Looking back at 2020, Jen Graham found herself taking regular daily walks in the neighborhood and noticing the poor condition of many of the historic street markers that help define the character of Riverside and Avondale. Fast forward to 2024, and Jen made a personal goal to paint a street marker each week all year, totaling 52. A previous inventory by Jen listed the amount of street markers that needed to be refurbished at around 60, so this would be an ambitious and comprehensive goal. RAP worked to organize support for Jen, creating volunteer instructions for completing the project and also purchasing supplies.
RAP created street post bundles for anyone willing to “adopt” an intersection. RAP reached out to the community and received an overwhelming response. Jen painted 38 markers, distributed supplies and instructions to each volunteer, and inventoried each marker that was in the process of being repainted or was complete. Jen worked throughout the neighborhood boundaries tackling the unadopted markers, as well. Girl Scout Troops handled four neighborhood markers while an Eagle Scout, Harper Rice, painted more than 12 markers stretching this project into Murray Hill. At an estimated four hours per marker and additional time organizing others, Jen volunteered more than 200 hours as part of the project. It is a challenge to find an unpainted street marker today. If you do, let’s fix it! Thank you, Jen.
Outstanding Service
Ann Bianco
As a dedicated member of Yoga 4 Change, Ann Bianco has been an active yoga trainee and instructor since 2020. As an early patron of the Riverside Arts Market’s morning yoga, Ann has witnessed the ebb and flow of attendance over the years. However, 2024 was a record-breaking year, with weekly participation surpassing 250 yogis. Recognizing the importance of this community gathering, Ann took it upon herself to ensure that RAM yoga continued uninterrupted, always ready to step in whenever the scheduled instructor was unavailable. Beyond leading morning yoga, Ann has tailored unique classes to support RAM’s cause days, such as Disability
Pride, Back to School, and Healthy Aging Day, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all participants.
Ann’s dedication to the Riverside Avondale community extends beyond the mat. She brings the healing power of yoga to various locations across the historic district, including Black Cat Yoga. In 2024, she leveraged her yogi following to recruit volunteers for Luminaria, personally contributing over 40 hours to assembling luminary kits–an effort that played a crucial role in the event’s success.
Most recently, Ann has become one of RAM’s newest vendors, selling handmade, bejeweled ornaments and trinkets that reflect her vibrant spirit. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the contribution of Junebug, who is dependably at Ann’s side for all important events. With her warmth, generosity, and unwavering commitment to community service, Ann Bianco is a deserving recipient of Riverside Avondale Preservation’s 2025 Outstanding Service Award.
Maker of the Year
Riverside Arts Market
Summa Salts
If I were to ask you to imagine a salty person, you’d probably picture someone who has a bad attitude, is constantly annoyed, and overall not someone you’d want to be around. Sarah McElrea is anything but. Summa Salts is an herb-infused salt business making specialty rubs and flavorful salt blends that enhance the freshness of any meal with the use of a salt grinder. Summa Salts is the 2025 RAM Maker of the Year because they embody RAM’s “Loyal to Local” slogan throughout their work.
As Summa Salts, Sarah brings a weekly joy and energy to the Riverside
Arts Market that not only uplifts her business, but the Market as a whole. At RAM, we often talk about visitors seeking both a product and an experience. Sarah, a former teacher, certainly knows how to capture an audience. It is not unusual to catch her in action, explaining her unique seasoning blends to a new customer, or catching up with a frequent shopper: one of her “Saltines.” Her reach goes beyond the 10×10 tent: Sarah frequently uses her social media following to highlight her fellow vendors or showcase RAM on a walk-around live stream. She also collaborates with other vendors to offer mystery prize packs and grab bags containing a surprise variety of salt and a small item or coupon from a fellow RAM business. Over the past year, these mystery packs have expanded to include a $5 RAM token through sponsorships from local businesses, facilitated by the RAP Development team. Sarah’s care for local businesses and local food shines in these collaborations, and we are proud to announce her designation as the RAM Maker of the Year.
Best New Construction
3847 Boone Park Avenue
Bold City Properties &
Atomic Garden
Historical Significance: The 3847 Boone Park Avenue residence was built by Glenn Chandler and Matthew Jarvis of Bold City Properties & Atomic Garden in 2024. It is a Modern Tudor Style new construction, and has been built keeping in mind the historical importance of the neighborhood. The selected exterior materials maintain the cultural value of the neighborhood.
Architectural Integrity and Aesthetic Appeal: The design of the house seamlessly blends in with the neighborhood in terms of style,
architectural elements and color. The exterior materials selected are in harmony with the existing materials on the adjacent residential structures. The asymmetrical design of the house is well-balanced and proportioned to its width and height, making it visually appealing. The interior of the house has been designed to be unanimous with its exterior warm colors. The tall, sloped ceilings in the main spaces make the house feel open and airy, making it a wonderful space for family and friends to congregate. The warm-colored brick in a herringbone pattern adds texture to the driveway and walkways. Overall, the house has a positive impact on the neighborhood. Congratulations to Glenn Chandler and Matthew Jarvis, and thank you for this contribution to the neighborhood!
Best Residential Restoration
3679 Riverside Avenue
Centerbeam Construction
Historical Significance: The 3679 Riverside Avenue residence, restored by Centerbeam Construction, sets a beautiful example of a residential renovation in the Riverside Avondale historic district. The renovation of this Bungalow style design maintains the house’s historical importance, including its age, architectural style, and its connection to significant historical events. The quality of restoration work aligns with best practices in historic preservation.
Architectural Integrity and Aesthetic Appeal: The careful restoration of the house retains the original integrity of
the building elements, materials and craftsmanship, including the large overhangs and the unique style of window mullions. The exterior colors are subtle and well-selected to be in harmony with the surrounding landscape and adjacent structures. The landscape is well proportioned to the scale of the building. The interior spaces are warm and very inviting. Thank you to Centerbeam Construction for the completion of this wonderful renovation project.
Special Recognition
Buckland House Master Landscape Plan
Bold City Properties, Glenn Chandler, and Matthew Jarvis
Years in the making, the Buckland House (RAP offices at 2623 Herschel Street) Master Landscape Plan is nearly complete after a full year of
major renovations led by Bold City Properties. Envisioned in 2018 by Rick Pariani, this project was multifaceted and serves to better protect our historic home from degradation through shade, fencing, and landscaping. Our office can now host outdoor meetings and workshops surrounded by trees and native gardens. General contractors with Bold City Properties, Glenn Chandler and Matthew Jarvis, spent months working with tradesmen and contractors, in addition to their own sweat equity, to get this project right. Thank you to Rick Pariani and Susan Painter for their addition of the outdoor elements that have created a show-stopping space for everyone that enters the property.
