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More than a dozen Chamber members were honored for contributing to the enhancement of downtown San Luis Obispo through projects completed and physical efforts achieved during 2009. At the annual Beautification Awards edition of the Downtown Association’s Quarterly Breakfast held on March 5 at Mo | Tav (formerly Mother’s Tavern), Beautification Awards Committee Chair Marshall Ochyslki conducted the ceremony issuing certificates in categories of recognition, merit and excellence to attendees whose projects ranged from new construction to remodels to signage and awnings and also to those who demonstrated a high level of care and maintenance of their properties. "These businesses have worked very hard over the years to beautify the downtown area and make it safer by complying with retrofitting guidelines. We couldn't be more proud that many of the award recipients this year are Chamber members," said Chamber President Dave Garth, who attended the ceremony. The ceremony culminated with the announcement of the Mayor’s Award winner whose project is annually deemed the “best of show” of all the projects, with Mayor Dave Romero presenting the beautifully framed certificate to this year’s winner Ciopinot Seafood Grille.
Ciopinot completed the retrofit of its building (formerly Tortilla Flats) creating a modern, yet comfortable airy warehouse feel similar to what you would find on the wharf in San Francisco or Seattle. Owners Leonard and Wendy Cohen were able to attain that ambiance by creating a single level floor plan while completely reworking all of the plumbing, sewer lines, grease traps and electrical infrastructures underground. The couple was also able to improve their business by sandblasting the whitewashed walls to expose the brick underneath, relocating the entrance to the center of the building, installing a large bank of windows on the left side of the restaurant to open up the space and creating an outdoor dinning space. The Beautification Awards committee members included: Marshall Ochylski, chair, Stephen Patrick, Design Committee chair, Bob Seeley, Pam Seeley, Landy Fike, Julie Towery, Jackie Crane, Karen Kile, Bruce Fraser and Brent Vanderhoof. Other awards include (recipients in bold are members in good standing with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce):
Tenant Improvements, Exterior-Remodel - Warden Building - Merit, 760-770 Higuera Street
- Naman Building - Excellence, 782-790 Higuera Street
Tenant Improvements, Hospitality-Remodel Tenant Improvements, Professional Service-New Tenant Improvements, Retail-New Tenant Improvements, Retail-Remodel Certificate of Recognition Façade Improvements - 659 Higuera Street
- Bulls Tavern, 1032 Chorro Street
Signage/Awning Merchandising - So•ap•petit, 1129 Garden Street, back patio
- The Claassen Gallery, 785 Marsh Street
- Bali Isle Imports & Reggae All Star Productions, 672 Higuera Street
- Zoey’s on Garden, 1129 Garden Street, Suite B
- HumanKind Fair Trade, 682 Monterey Street
- Stephen Patrick Design, 888 Monterey Street
- La Rouge, 736 Higuera Street
Maintenance Public Art Executive Director’s Award - Wineman Sign, 849 Higuera Street
Chairman’s Award-Downtown Living Spaces Mayor’s Award: |
