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The Colonial Theatre Receives 2008 Paul E. Tsongas Award - May 15, 2008
Pittsfield – On May 7th, Preservation Massachusetts held their 21st Annual Preservation Awards Event at The Fairmount Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston. The Colonial Theatre Association and Barr & Barr Builders, Inc. each received the Paul E. Tsongas Award for the historic restoration of The Colonial Theatre.
Other award winners included: Winn Development, Keith Construction and The Architectural Team for Whaler’s Place in New Bedford and Baker Square II in Dorchester; and Worcester Center for the Performing Arts, Barr & Barr Builders, Inc., and Lamoreaux Pagano Associates Architects for The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester. The Boston Natural Area Network won the Frederick Law Olmsted Award.
"The Tsongas Award honors those who are helping us take preservation into the 21st century and beyond. We recognize these individuals and organizations for their leadership and excellence in preservation, but also for their vision and their often unwavering dedication in the face of much uncertainty. The Colonial Theatre, along with the other four Tsongas Awarded projects, embodies the spirit behind the Tsongas Award. The impact the Colonial has made upon Pittsfield is evident and serves as an excellent example for how historic preservation can inspire revitalization at the community level.
The Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit has proved extremely useful to communities and developers looking to breathe new life into historic downtowns with preservation projects. The tax credit enables and encourages private investment in historic buildings to create housing, commercial, community and cultural spaces. Many developers are able to undertake and successfully complete projects that, without the credit, were previously not economically feasible. Through the tax credit and success stories like The Colonial Theatre, the direct correlation between historic preservation and economic development is evident. One only has to see the tremendous accomplishment of The Colonial Theatre, The Colonial Theatre Association and all of those in Pittsfield who believed in the project to fully understand the potential of the Tax Credit, and historic preservation, for the entire Commonwealth,” says Jim Igoe, President of Preservation Massachusetts.
The Award Recipients are determined by Preservation Massachusetts and their Board of Directors to be true leaders in the preservation movement in Massachusetts. As the course of preservation has changed to embrace such things as economic development, community revitalization and the importance of partnerships and bridging constituencies, so too have the Award Recipients reflected the evolution of preservation in Massachusetts.
“Since the early 1970’s there has been a steady increase in restoration of historic theaters throughout America’s downtowns,” said Colonial Executive Director David Fleming. “It’s great that beautiful old buildings have been saved. But those of us who have had the privilege of operating an historic theater have seen first hand the tremendous community benefit those properties have delivered. Generations of children and adults have been enriched by the programs presented while cityscapes have transformed thanks to the economic revitalization that almost inevitably follows when an old theater comes back on line to serve new audiences. The Colonial Theatre is one of the finest examples in the country of how all of these benefits come together. We are grateful for this recognition from Preservation Massachusetts.”
“The revitalization of The Colonial Theatre has brought new life and new people to downtown,” said Mayor James M. Ruberto. “The past Tsongas Award recipients have all been deeply involved in preserving Massachusetts’ history and culture, and The Colonial Theatre embodies a century of Pittsfield’s history and culture.”
Colonial Theatre Executive Director David Fleming, Colonial Board President Gary Scarafoni, and Board First Vice-President Michael MacDonald accepted the award last Wednesday on behalf of the Colonial. Project Associate Architect, EDM | architecture.engineering.management’s President Ron Griffin, and lead donors Nancy Fitzpatrick and Lincoln Russell were also present in support of the Colonial.
The Tsongas Award was inaugurated in 1988 by Historic Massachusetts, Inc. (now Preservation Massachusetts). Its first recipient was Senator Paul E. Tsongas in recognition of his leadership and dedication to preserving the historic and cultural heritage of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since then, the award in his name has been given to such dignitaries as Gov. and Mrs. Dukakis (1989), Senator Robert Durand (1996), The Fitzpatrick Family of Stockbridge (1999), Senate President Robert Travaglini for his support in the passage of the state tax credit (2004), the Boston Red Sox and the City of Boston (2005) and Bank of America (2007). |
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