Renaissance RI doles out Hard Hat awards
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By Times staff | Saturday, December 15, 2007 |
More than a dozen Rock Island companies and leaders were honored Thursday for the investments they have made — financial and otherwise — in Rock Island.
Renaissance Rock Island hosted its 19th annual Hard Hat Awards celebration at JTM Concepts to recognize the efforts that are helping to strengthen the city. Renaissance Rock Island is made up of the Development Association of Rock Island (DARI), the Rock Island Economic Growth Corp. (GROWTH) and the Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District (The District). Recipients include:
Golden Brooms, awarded for outstanding maintenance
Rock Island’s only downtown hotel became a Holiday Inn this year. A $1 million upgrade of the hotel at 226 17th St. by owner, Kinseth Hospitality Group, renovated the guest rooms and the common areas on the first floor.
Le Figaro owners Rachid and Therese Bouchareb celebrated their 25th anniversary in downtown Rock Island this year. In recent years, they have added four apartments above the restaurant, located at 1708 2nd Ave., and renovated the bar area, now called the Star Bar.
Quad-City Arts’ Metro Arts Program has brought a lot of art to downtown in its eight years. High school apprentices create artwork in Arts Alley during the summer bringing daily vitality to the streets. This year, the City of Rock Island purchased the “Flow Together” mural on the side of the former Centennial Bridge building.
Rock Island Parks and Recreation was honored for its outstanding job of planting and maintaining the landscaping and flower beds downtown. Comments from businesses and patrons have been overwhelmingly positive.
Golden Hammers, awarded for outstanding business investment
Center for Living is the brainchild of Dino Hayz, who wanted to help people connect their creative spark and have a good time. This year, he purchased a building at 2008 4th Ave. and created the Center for Living Performing and Living Arts. For kids and adults alike, classes such as theater, laughter yoga and dance are offered.
Children’s Advocacy Center, created by Bill Rowand of Renaissance Construction, who believed that it was time for new infill housing in the Broadway Historic District. Children’s Advocacy Center needed a new home, a place that was not intimidating for children to come. The two concepts combined at 1923 5th Ave. to create the new home for Children’s Advocacy Center.
Habitat for Humanity/Travis Hearn Home. Hundreds of volunteers converged in the Old Chicago Neighborhood in May to build a house in 24 hours for Travis Hearn, a Rock Island High School football player paralyzed during a football game. The house is in the newly formed Habitat Park.
Quad-City Hindu Temple, located at 9801 14th St. West in southwest Rock Island, is a celebration of religious diversity in Rock Island. The new $1 million temple serves 450 Hindus throughout western Illinois and eastern Iowa.
Mayor & City Council Trophy, awarded for the most strategic new investment
Augustana College: The new Dorothy Parkander Residence Center, located next to Swanson Commons and completed in August, houses 56 residents in two three-story state-of-the-art buildings. In addition, a $6.7 million renovation is underway at Carlsson Hall. Augustana College has spent over $75 million since 1989 on new buildings, property acquisition, and facility renovations.
Finalists were Ace Hardware, 1880 38th St., where local owner Lannie Heron invested nearly $1 million to open the new store; Douglas Park Place, where a $2 million project will serve as a catalyst in revitalizing the New Old Chicago Neighborhood; and Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, constructed when owner Steve Pressly moved the business to 3030 7th Ave. after demolishing the blighted Bowladrome building and investing $2 million in the project. The funeral home has been located in Rock Island since 1889.
CC Wilson Trophy for the Most Dedicated
Jan Masamoto, owner of JTM Concepts, honored for how she gives of her time and talents regularly. She is the only person to serve on all three boards of the Renaissance Rock Island organizations.
Mo Payton Volunteer of the Year
Ametra Carrol wanted to provide a place for women who had just completed substance abuse counseling to get well and be reunited with their children. Her vision became a reality with Douglas Park Place.
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