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2026 Preservation Awards Application

2026 Preservation Program Information

The City of Fernandina Beach and Fernandina Beach Main Street (collectively, the Award Program Partners) recognize outstanding efforts to preserve the community’s unique architectural character. Historic structures contribute significantly to the identity of Fernandina Beach, and the sensitive treatment of these resources ensures that residents and visitors alike continue to experience the city’s rich historic character.

Award recipients will be announced and honored at the 2026 Preservation Awards Ceremony, to be held May 12, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at the Peck Center Auditorium, 516 S 10th St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Applications must be submitted no later than 15 April 2026.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted electronically through the official 2026 Preservation Awards Application form, available via:

The City of Fernandina Beach website
The Fernandina Beach Main Street website

All three parts of the application (Part 1: Project Information, Part 2: Project Narrative and Part 3: Images & Drawings) must be completed within the online application form.
Incomplete or partial submissions will not be reviewed.

AWARD CATEGORY CRITERIA

(1) Restoration / Rehabilitation
Recognizes the proper restoration or rehabilitation of a structure in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Projects may include exterior and/or interior improvements that respect and preserve the historic integrity of the structure.

(2) Sensitive Addition
Recognizes additions to historic structures that demonstrate compatibility in scale, massing, materials and design with the original building.

(3) New Construction

Commercial
Residential

Recognizes excellence in the design of a new structure located within the Old Town or Downtown Historic Districts that is compatible with the surrounding historic context.

(4) Adaptive Reuse
Awarded to projects that transform an existing building or space into a new use through sensitive and creative solutions that preserve architectural and historic integrity while extending the life of the structure.

(5) Storefront Façade Renovation
Recognizes projects that contribute positively to the streetscape through the respectful treatment of historic building features. Projects may include accessibility improvements where applicable.

(6) Craftsmanship
Recognizes excellence in traditional building methods, including but not limited to woodworking, masonry, wrought-iron work, framing and plastering. This category honors the craftsperson(s) responsible for the work and may include interior or exterior projects.

(7) Preservation Champion – John M. Cotner Award
Awarded to an individual or organization that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the preservation, protection and enhancement of Fernandina Beach’s historic and cultural resources.

ELIGIBILITY
For all categories except the Preservation Champion Award, any completed project located within the City of Fernandina Beach is eligible.
Projects must have been completed on or after 1 January 2021.
The Preservation Champion Award may only be awarded to a resident of Fernandina Beach.

WHO MAY APPLY
Applications may be submitted by property owners, architects, contractors, consultants, organizations or other project representatives, provided they have the property owner’s permission.
For the Preservation Champion – John M. Cotner Award nominations may be submitted by any individual or organization.

JUDGES
The Preservation Awards will be judged by a panel of three individuals drawn from organizations and offices such as the Amelia Island–Fernandina Restoration Foundation, Amelia Island Museum of History, the City of Fernandina Beach Historic District Council or other groups with aligned preservation missions.
Judges will recuse themselves from reviewing any submission for which a real or perceived conflict of interest exists.

JUDGING CRITERIA
Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria, as applicable:

Compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
Contribution to the preservation of Fernandina Beach’s historic resources
Impact on the community
Level of difficulty or complexity involved in completing the project
Historical and architectural significance of the property or effort

If no submission in a given category meets the judging criteria, no award will be presented in that category. All award decisions are final and may not be appealed.

RULES & REGULATIONS

Entrants grant the Award Program Partners permission to reproduce submitted materials for promotional, educational and archival purposes without restriction or compensation.
Entrants affirm that all information provided is accurate. Submissions containing false or misleading information may be disqualified.
Entrants affirm that they own the submitted materials or have obtained all necessary permissions, including photography and reproduction rights.
Submitted materials must not infringe upon any copyright, trademark or other proprietary rights.
All submitted materials become the property of the Award Program Partners.
All submissions must be anonymous. Identifying information, including firm names, logos, names of architects, owners or prior awards, must not appear in Parts 2 or 3.
Failure to comply with anonymity requirements will result in automatic disqualification without review by the jury.
Previous Preservation Award–winning projects are not eligible for resubmission.
Entrants must select the appropriate award category for their submission.
The jury is not required to present awards in every category.
The Award Program Partners are not responsible for incomplete submissions, corrupted files, incompatible file formats or materials not successfully received by the submission deadline.
All submissions must be received no later than 15 April 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All submissions will be reviewed digitally.

Part 1 (Project Information) will be removed prior to jury review to ensure anonymity.

Parts 2 and 3 must be fully anonymous.

Part 1 - Project Information:
(Administrative use only; not shared with the jury.)

The Project Information section must be fully completed within the online application form.

Required information includes:

Award Category
Project Name
Project Location
Project Completion Date
Company Name
Team Members
Owner (if applicable)
Contractor (if applicable, including contact information)
Consultants (if applicable, including contact information)
Acknowledgement of Rules & Regulations
Photo and Media Release Authorization

Part 2 - Project Narrative

Submit a narrative of no more than 300 words describing the project or Preservation Champion nomination. The narrative should address project goals, preservation approach, challenges, outcomes and community impact. Sustainability or longevity considerations may be included if applicable.

This section must be fully anonymous. Identifying information will result in automatic disqualification without review.

Part 3 - Digital Project Images:
A maximum of ten (10) images may be submitted.

Project Photography
Up to five (5) JPG images showing completed exterior and/or interior views, as applicable.

Minimum resolution: 300 dpi
Images must not include text, captions or identifying information

Design Drawings
Up to five (5) PDF files, which may include:

Floor plans
Site plans
Elevations, sections or diagrams

Drawings must be anonymous and free of identifying text or graphics.

Photograph for Publication
Submit one (1) JPG image labeled “Photograph for Publication.” This image may duplicate one of the previously submitted photographs and will be used for promotional and publication purposes.

Fernandina Beach Main Street is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization and is registered with the Florida Division of Consumer Services, Registration No. CH61086. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free with the United States (800-435-7352) or by contacting the division at http://www.freshfromflorida.com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.

© 2024 Fernandina Beach Main Street

All Rights Reserved

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Street Address

309 1/2 Centre St

Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 5

Fernandina Beach, FL 32035

Contact

904-624-7147

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