Mayor Annise Parker has selected long-time Preservation Houston member and supporter Bob Fretz Jr. to receive the Mayor’s Historic Preservationist of the Year Award. The public is invited to attend the award presentation at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, during City Council’s Public Session at City Hall, 901 Bagby.
Fretz served on Preservation Houston’s Board of Directors from 1997 to 2001 and was recognized with the organization’s President’s Award in 2011. He receivedGood Brick Awards in 2006 for his adaptive reuse of the former Byrd’s Department Store and in 2013 for his rehabilitation of the Wilson Stationery & Printing Co. Building, which was featured on this year’s Good Brick Tour. His family firm, Fretz Construction, has also served as the contractor on several Good Brick Award-winning projects, notably Holy Rosary Church and Annunciation Church.
Mayor Parker initiated the Historic Preservationist of the Year Award in 2010. Previous recipients include Betty Chapman, Phoebe Tudor, Kelley Trammell, and Charles Cook and Margott Williams representing the Descendants of Olivewood Cemetery.
Preservation Houston's Board of Directors, staff and members extend heartfelt congratulations to Bob Fretz Jr. for this important and well-deserved recognition.