The Bucyrus Preservation Society has recognized J&F Real Estate Investments, LLC for the reconstruction of their building at 109 N. Sandusky Avenue. The Society presented Jim Mayes, principal of the investment firm, with the coveted Architectural Conservation Excellence or “ACE” Award.
“The Preservation Society is honored to present Jim Mayes with the fifth ACE Award for remodeling his firm’s building in a historically and appropriate manner,” expressed Dave Pirnstill, President of the Bucyrus Preservation Society.
The Ace Award is given to a building owner in recognition of a remodeled or expanded building addition that maintains the historic value of the community. The remodeled building owned by J&F Investments was nearly destroyed when a semi-truck crashed into the front of the building. An alternative to remodeling and reconstructing the facing was demolishing the structure. This would have resulted in a vacant lot.
The owners could have rebuilt a contemporary single floor structure which would have compromised and altered the roofline of the historic buildings along North Sandusky Avenue.
Jim Mayes negotiated a more appropriate solution by refurbishing the structure while maintaining the intrinsic value of all three floors with an attractive facade.
Previous recipients of the ACE Award, in order of recognition, include: Bill Snyder for the renovation of the Eagle Building, Wise Funeral Service’s blended addition to the original building, Starkey and Stoll, Ltd. for maintaining the integrity of a home that was remodeled into an office and Dwight and Christine Sexton for the renovation of the Chesney/Carlisle home.