Historic preservation commission opens nominations for annual Medjay Prime award

Commission staff introduced the commission's annual preservation award, noting it was established in the early 1990s to recognize property owners—residential or commercial—who preserve or restore the character of historic districts. Staff said the award is named after a Burlington resident who lived on Mountain Place and was described in the meeting as "the first modern preservationist, Medjay Prime." Recipients are typically recognized at a city council meeting during Historic Preservation Month in May.

Commissioners discussed the nomination and presentation timeline. Members may collect recommendations between the April meeting and May; the commission could finalize awards in April or at the May meeting in time for city-council recognition. Members suggested up to three recipients in ordinary years and discussed both residential and commercial candidates, asking colleagues to bring addresses, photos and other materials for review.

Commissioners suggested candidate examples and discussed expanding recognition to properties outside the district when preservation work meaningfully improves the city's character. The commission agreed to continue outreach and to review candidate materials at the April meeting.