Preservation Advocates honors 10 for their efforts

The Spokane Preservation Advocates organization has recognized 10 people for contributions to historic preservation in the Spokane area.

The first annual awards were given by the organization during a ceremony Sunday at the Bing Crosby Theater downtown.

Jerry and Patty Dicker, who have restored the historic Bing Crosby Theater, were given the stewardship award.

The Dickers have been involved in numerous preservation projects, including restoration of their home, originally built in 1910 for James and Elizabeth Comstock. The house at 1106 W. Ninth Ave. had been divided into apartments and the Dickers converted it back to a single-family layout.

It is one of four adjacent homes built by the Comstock and Eugene Shadle families that were placed on the Spokane historic register in 2006 as a local historic district. The homes are also part of a national register district.

Nancy Gale Compau, retired historian of the Northwest Room at the Spokane Downtown Library, was given the education award.

She was involved in early efforts to promote preservation and establish a landmarks commission for historic designations.

Compau teamed up on two books, including a 2000 primer, “Spokane: A City with Style,” which was distributed to local schools.

Steve and Tresa Schmautz were honored with the restoration award for their work on major projects in Spokane, including the fully restored Legion Building with its French-style upper levels at 108 N. Washington St. Their work included reconstruction of the original hipped roof that was destroyed in a 1939 fire.

Mary Moltke was given the homeowner award. She owns the 1889 E.J. Roberts Mansion, which has been operating as a bed and breakfast and events facility for years at 1923 W. First Ave.

Starting in the early 1980s, Moltke tirelessly restored the original mansion, bringing new life to its Victorian-era splendor. Later, she demolished an adjacent apartment house that was blocking views of the home.

She has also placed two adjacent homes at 1924 and 1928 W. Pacific Ave. on the Spokane historic register, converting the house at 1928 W. Pacific into a restaurant.

Jim Sheehan was honored with an award to recognize sustainable and environmentally friendly preservation.

Sheehan has restored a series of buildings on West Main Avenue starting in 2001 with the Community Building, 35 W. Main Ave. It houses the Center for Justice, which Sheehan founded, and other organizations.

His work has continued with development of the Main Market Co-op, 44 W. Main Ave., the Saranac Hotel, 25 W. Main Ave., and now the Saranac Commons, 19 W. Main.

The redevelopments all incorporated environmentally sustainable features and construction practices, including solar panels on the south side of the Saranac Hotel.

Larry Stone, president of SCAFCO Corp., and his partner, Jan Jecha, won the Joanne Moyer award, named after the longtime preservation activist. The Moyer award dates back to 2011.

Stone has been a longtime board member of SPA and has contributed to numerous efforts behind the scenes. He and Jecha restored their South Hill home. In addition, Stone has been working with East Central Spokane businesses on revitalization and restoration of the historic East Sprague Avenue business area.

Mike Prager was given the media award. He has covered historic preservation for The Spokesman-Review for 25 years, including stories about the founding of SPA in 1997 and the 2012 National Trust for Historic Preservation conference in Spokane.