The city of Kent will receive a John D. Spellman Award for Exemplary Achievement in Historic Preservation from King County for its work to restore Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park and other projects.
King County Executive Dow Constantine will recognize recipients of the awards at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 17 at the historic Delta Masonic Hall, 13034 41st Ave. S. in Tukwila.
Besides the city of Kent award, Constantine also will give awards to:
• Robert Waylon, an incoming ninth grader at Blanchet High School in Seattle who will receive the Spellman Youth Award for his advocacy to draw attention to two of the region’s most threatened historic properties, the Skykomish Hotel and the Bush House in Index.
• Wendy Walsh, a landmark property owner in the Woodinville area who has taken stewardship of a rare archaeological site.
• The city of Tukwila, Friends of the Hill and the Cascade Land Conservancy for their work to restore the Duwamish Hill Preserve.
In a media release, King County officials described the reasons the city of Kent will receive an award:
“At a time when municipalities across the county are faced with big fiscal challenges, the city of Kent has demonstrated that through partnership and creativity, it can still get the work of preservation done. Upon entering into an interlocal agreement with King County for historic preservation services six years ago, the city set about laying the foundation for what is fast becoming one of the strongest programs in the county.
“What has it done? Since 2005 it has completed a comprehensive historic property survey of the entire city; designated three very important landmark properties; developed a preservation plan and secured grants to restore the nationally renowned Earthworks Park, a city-owned property; and funded historic building plaques and publications for the Mill Creek neighborhood, one of the city’s oldest and best preserved residential areas. Remarkable work over a short period of time.”
The awards are named for Spellman, a former Washington governor and King County Executive who established King County’s Historic Preservation Program and Landmarks Commission more than 30 years ago.
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