HAND wins Servaas Memorial Award for historic preservation

Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development Inc. was recognized Sept. 10 at Indiana Landmarks’ annual meeting with a Servaas Memorial Award for achievement in historic preservation.

Given annually to a not-for-profit organization, the award recognizes HAND’s work restoring three abandoned buildings and revitalizing a block of downtown Noblesville. Now known as Roper Lofts and Roper Capstone, the buildings at 347, 304 and 388 S. 8th Street were transformed into a total of 14 affordable apartments as well as office space for HAND and the Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County.

Indiana Landmarks’ awards panel applauded HAND’s restoration standards and its commitment to combining low-income housing, preservation and community revitalization.

Also honored at the meeting were Fountain County Landmarks, which received the Servaas Award for youth-serving organizations, and Sallie Rowland, the retired founder of Indianapolis architecture and interior design firm Rowland Design. Rowland won the Williamson Prize for outstanding individual leadership in historic preservation for her 40 years of devotion to restoration and revitalization.

Founded in 2003, HAND works to ensure that Hamilton County remains livable, with homes that are affordable for all residents. In addition to developing six communities leasing a total of 96 apartments, HAND helps low-income homeowners make critical repairs to their homes. The organization has invested nearly $17 million in Hamilton County housing.