Corning, NY–Corning’s Gaffer District and the Market Street Restoration Agency are pleased to recognize local building and business owners for excellence in building renovation and sign design for projects completed in 2017.
The 2018 Pan Awards, an award that the Market Street Restoration Agency began presenting in the mid-1980s to celebrate excellence in sign and building design, are presented each year in May in honor of National Preservation Month. Corning’s revitalization efforts began in 1974 when the Market Street Restoration Agency was created to improve Corning's appearance and stabilize the downtown commercial area. The group, made up of local business owners and leaders, was so successful in this mission that the Corning example, along with several other National Trust projects with other cities, lead to a national Main Street program, aimed at economic revitalization and preservation of existing buildings.
2018 Pan Award Recipients
- Tom & Sarah Creath - Excellence in Building Renovation (BCK Partners occupant, 27 E. Market St, Corning, NY)
- Ashley Bates - Excellence in Sign Design (The Cotton Gin Boutique, 24 E. Market St, Corning, NY)
The storefront at 27 East Market, designed by the noted Corning architect, H.G. Tuthill & Son, and was built in 1887. The building was gutted and renovated in 2016-17 by building owner Tom Creath. Mr. Creath participated in numerous funding sources including STREDEC loan, REDEC loan, Gaffer Main Street Grants, Historic Tax Credits, Historic Landmark Designation for property tax relief, Sales Tax Exemption for the renovation, coupled with personal capital to complete the project.
“It's an honor to be recognized for the hard work and planning put into my building. Partnerships and quality people brought this to completion in 2017,” said Tom Creath.
The Cotton Gin Boutique, at 24 E. Market St., opened for business in July 2017 and co-owner, Ashley Bates, was an integral part of the shop’s unique sign design. Corning’s Gaffer District’s design team worked with local sign maker, Ryan Hunt from Hughey Signs to source the barn wood in order to make the handcrafted piece that Bates was looking for. The wood was cleaned and whitewashed before Hunt handpainted the store’s logo on both the facade and projecting sign.
Kristen Stewart, Director of Preservation and Design for the Gaffer District stated, “The sign that we created for the Cotton Gin Boutique was a project that brought in many elements of design and is very representative of the feel of the business.” The Cotton Gin Boutique is a unique boutique featuring women's clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and gifts.
For more information on the Market Street Restoration Agency and the Pan Awards contact Kristen Stewart, (607) 937-6292 or kristen@gafferdistrict.com
