Preservation Awards honor those that keep St. Pete special
Following a two-year hiatus, Preserve the ‘Bug’s biannual Preservation Awards returned in grand fashion Wednesday night, highlighting the people, businesses and organizations striving to sustain St. Petersburg’s unique sense of place.
The Palladium, which operates under the auspices of St. Petersburg College, served as a fitting downtown location for the event. Built in 1925 — in the Romanesque Revival style of architecture — the former church turned theater and performance space was renovated and preserved by a group of philanthropists in 1998.
After last year’s event was canceled due to Covid, Preserve the Burg’s leadership secured a special host for Wednesday’s return. Emmy Award-winning TV host Jerry Penacoli, a longtime correspondent for the entertainment news show “Extra,” served as the master of ceremonies. When Penacoli moved to the city in 2012, he bought a recently restored, historic house — it won the Homes with a History category in HGTV’s 2020 Ultimate House Hunt — in Old Northeast from celebrated local preservationist Maureen Stafford.
