Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Congratulates St. Louis Company Honored for Historic Preservation Efforts
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today congratulated Downtown St. Louis Revitalization for receiving the 2007 Preserve America Presidential Award. The honor makes Missouri the first state to boast two Preserve America award winners.
“Missouri is home to countless rich and historic downtowns and communities,” Gov. Blunt said. “I congratulate Craig Heller and John Steffen on their efforts to preserve the history of downtown St. Louis and take a comprehensive approach to revitalizing historic properties. As we work to renew growth and prosperity in Missouri downtowns through the DREAM Initiative, communities, businesses, and Missourians are recognizing the limitless opportunities that exist in historic preservation and downtown revitalization.”
The President's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation today recognized Craig Heller of LoftWorks, LLC, and John Steffen of The Pyramid Companies, which together make up Downtown St. Louis Revitalization. The team was honored in the private preservation category this year. They join Missouri's Bolduc Historic Properties of Sainte Genevieve that, in 2005, received an award in the same category.
“I join Governor Blunt in applauding the efforts and accomplishments of Mr. Heller and Mr. Steffen to breathe new life into historic neighborhoods” said Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, who attended the Rose Garden ceremony Wednesday afternoon on behalf of the governor. “Governor Blunt’s DREAM Initiative offer’s new ideas for redevelopment for our cities, and I believe we will see many more success stories in the future as the result of these efforts.”
Since taking office Blunt has approved nearly 400 projects and issued state tax credits amounting to more than $185 million to benefit historic preservation. His administration also developed the Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri (DREAM) Initiative in order to give communities access to the tools they need to accomplish their downtown revitalization plans and preserve their history.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is a federal agency that promotes the preservation of historic sites and advises the president and Congress on historic preservation policies. President Bush appointed Gov. Blunt to the council in March 2006. For more information about the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation visit www.achp.gov.