3 named prize winners

The biennial awards recognize the Valley's most aesthetically pleasing building projects.
THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN
By CYNTHIA VINARSKY
VINDICATOR BUSINESS WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Three Mahoning Valley building projects, all of which involved renovations or expansions, were named 2002 Civic Improvement Merit Award winners by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
Top awards went to the Girard Justice Center, the Poland Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, and the Youngstown Water Department building on West Avenue.
Offered every two years, the Civic Improvement Awards aim to recognize businesses and architectural firms for contributing to the beauty of the region with new construction or major building renovation.
The awards were presented Wednesday at a breakfast at Mr. Anthony's banquet center.
Richard W. Eschliman, a nationally recognized Columbus architect who served 11 years as university architect for The Ohio State University, judged the entries.
Eschliman called the Girard Justice Center "pure sculpture inside and out" and praised architect MS Consultants' use of very durable materials, architectural details and ultra-modern environmental controls.
Cherie A. Hayek designed the interior and Mike Coates Construction was the builder.
The judge liked the way architect and interior designer 4M Company created the Poland Library as an addition to a historical seminary dormitory, using pergolas, natural light and period furnishings. Frontier Woodworking Co. was the builder.
Finally, Eschliman gave architect MS Consultants accolades for saving the historical Youngstown Water Works from demolition by converting the 1871-vintage brick building into an office complex. Hayek was interior designer and Murphy Contracting Co. was the builder.
John A. Sybrant was the landscape architect for all three award-winning projects.
Honorable mentions
Eschliman also recognized the following building projects with honorable mention:
UCampbell Community Building.
UCampbell Elementary-Middle School.
UMcKay Court, Youngstown State University.
UMVI Homecare, corporate office.
UOur Lady of Perpetual Help Church, McDonald.
USt. Brendan Parish, Youngstown.
USebring Junior-Senior High School
USeven Seventeen Credit Union corporate office, Howland.
UYoungstown City Council Chambers.
vinarsky@vindy.com