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Presenting the 2024 People In Preservation Award Winners
September/October 2024
This year SOHO spotlights three transformative themes: the triumph of National Historic Districts, the ingenuity of adaptive reuse, and the enduring impact of lifetime preservationists. At the heart of these themes lies a universal truth: Preservation is about people. It's about fostering a sense of belonging, honoring our roots, and weaving the rich and diverse tapestry of the past into the fabric of our future. This year's Lifetime and Legacy Award winners embody this spirit, leaving an indelible mark on San Diego's cultural identity and distinctive character.
Two communities recently achieved prestigious National Historic District status, an authentic grassroots demonstration of residents' commitment to preserving their shared heritage.
SOHO is also recognizing the giants among us whose lifelong dedication and exemplary work have helped shape San Diego's preservation landscape. SOHO pays homage to three individuals whose accomplishments remind us that the passion of a few can create a lasting impact for many.
Innovative adaptive reuse projects by Howard Greenburg’s Trilogy company, over 18 in fact, share center stage for this year's lifetime achievement winners showcasing creative and sustainable approaches to preserving historic structures and providing vibrant, affordable housing.
A lifetime of commitment to the cause both professionally and personally highlights Diane Kane’s dedication and commitment to the preservation cause. Judith Swink is being celebrated with SOHO's coveted Legacy Award for her persuasiveness and work ethic as a dedicated guardian of San Diego’s cultural and natural heritage.
 When Howard Greenberg moved from Chicago to San Diego in the early 1980s, he was an accomplished accountant ready for a new adventure. Though he came into the historic preservation field indirectly, his keen eye for architecture and sharp financial instincts served him well.
In 1985, he purchased the enormous Pioneer Warehouse, a six-story, historic building with only one active tenant, Unicorn Antiques Mall. The upper floors sat empty, waiting for someone to recognize their potential. Despite being overlooked by many developers and investors, Howard saw something special in the block-long, red-brick warehouse. Through careful restoration and renovation, he transformed the 1918 building into Pioneer Warehouse Lofts. What was once nearly abandoned became a vibrant hub of live/work units, boasting spacious open floor plans, concrete floors, and beautifully preserved vintage architectural elements. This building, which has become home to countless residents over the decades, remains Howard’s favorite project. It is also the long-standing home of the Trilogy Real Estate Management office.
Pioneer Lofts was just the beginning. Howard, along with his partners went on to restore and renovate more than 18 historic buildings in downtown San Diego, primarily for live/work rentals. Together, they practically wrote the City’s live-work ordinance, making it possible for artists and other creatives to afford living and working downtown.
This effort not only revitalized the area but also preserved the early 20th-century warehouse, industrial, and hotel architecture that gives San Diego its unique character. For these contributions, Howard Greenberg is being honored with a Lifetime Achievement award, recognizing his profound impact on the city's architectural landscape.
 Diane Kane is one of San Diego’s most effective, experienced, and articulate advocates for historic preservation. For more than three decades, she has passionately worked as an educator, historian, planner, and preservationist. In 2014, her pivotal role in saving the beloved 1935 La Jolla Post Office earned her recognition as a SOHO People In Preservation group award winner.
Diane began her illustrious career conducting environmental reviews and surveys of historic properties for Caltrans in Los Angeles. She later moved to the City of San Diego as a senior planner, from 2003 to 2007, where she handled large-scale historic building surveys crucial to the city’s long-range planning process. Her work significantly raised public awareness of the cultural, social, and economic value of significant old structures.
She is an active member of the La Jolla Historical Society’s preservation committee and frequently testifies as an expert before San Diego’s Historical Resources Board. Her meticulous work includes the preparation of dozens of local, state, and national historic register reports, historic district nominations, cultural landscapes surveys, historic buildings and roads documentation, and environmental reviews.
Diane’s commitment to preservation and her passion for ongoing historical research have left an indelible mark on the preservation landscape. We recognize her lifelong dedication to safeguarding San Diego’s architectural heritage with a Lifetime Achievement award, underscoring her lasting impact on the field.
 Judy Swink embodies the spirit of a lifelong activist dedicated to preserving and enhancing San Diego’s historic and natural treasures. For decades, she has worked to protect and improve the built, natural, and social environments of the region.
A passionate advocate for Mission Bay Park, Judy began shaping its future in 1989. Representing Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) during the park’s master plan update from 1991 to 1994, she played a key role in balancing habitat restoration with sustainable development. Her 18-year tenure on the City’s Mission Bay Park Committee was crucial in safeguarding the park’s integrity and accessibility.
As president of the Save the Coaster Committee, Judy led efforts to preserve and restore the 1925 Mission Beach Giant Dipper roller coaster. The coaster gained National Historic Landmark status on its 75th anniversary. Judy’s leadership ensured its continued operation, with proceeds from the Giant Dipper Historic Preservation Fund supporting local historic restoration projects.
Judy’s commitment to community engagement is further demonstrated by her opposition to controversial redevelopment projects, including the Plaza de Panama project in Balboa Park. Her advocacy for preserving the park’s historical essence and promoting public involvement reflects her deep-rooted sense of civic responsibility.
Alongside her activism, Judy’s career in library science is marked by meticulous research and editorial skills. Her translation of an early homesteader’s journal highlights her dedication to celebrating San Diego’s diverse cultural heritage. Judy’s indomitable spirit, persuasive powers, and work ethic have cemented her legacy as a staunch guardian of San Diego’s cultural and natural heritage. We honor her lifelong dedication with the Legacy Award, a tribute to her significant impact on the region.
 After Mark G. Weisner and Kerri Klein purchased a neglected 1926 Mission Revival-style apartment building in Hillcrest, their top priority was historic designation as a local historic landmark and a Mills Act contract, which would help provide the funds for investing in the building’s restoration.
In addition, they rebuilt two studio apartments and a communal laundry space, previously located in an unpermitted garage that they removed. The studios, now airy and modernized, echo the main building’s Mission Revival architecture and feature private outdoor spaces.
Mark and Kerri successfully blended historic and new elements, enhanced the property with drought-tolerant native landscaping, and preserved crucial rental housing. Their work not only met their financial goals but also set a new standard for historic preservation along Centre Street and the rear alley. We recognize their dedication to preserving and revitalizing the building with the Commercial Restoration Award, reflecting their commitment to maintaining San Diego's architectural heritage.
 In 2023, residents of San Diego’s Talmadge community undertook the creation of the Talmadge Park Estates Historic District. Covering 138 acres and nearly 600 resources—mostly homes in revival styles like Spanish Colonial Revival and Minimal Traditional—the area is distinguished by its iron entry gates from 1926 and 1928, installed by developers Roy and Guy Lichty to attract home buyers.
Facing delays in the City’s processing of historic districts, volunteer residents, led by the newly formed Talmadge Historical Society, initiated a National Register of Historic Places District nomination with assistance from Heritage Architecture & Planning.
The society devised two innovative, web-based databases for public use. One database captured earlier research facts and data, which volunteer field surveyors could access through a smart phone or tablet as they added their own reports on an individual parcel’s conditions and character-defining features. The second database enabled homeowners to enter their property’s history, photographs, drawings, and other information. Both of these innovative tools can now be replicated by other communities and organizations, locally and statewide.
This group is presented with the District Delivered award in recognition of their dedicated efforts and innovative approaches, highlighting their exceptional contributions to historic preservation and tireless community engagement.
 Under the leadership of art historian Seonaid McArthur and University of San Diego history professor Molly McClain, photographer Nick Agelidis, with assistance from architectural historian Diane Kane, and the support and sponsorship of the La Jolla Historical Society, a detailed report was created covering the years 1887 to 1940, leading to the establishment of a National Historic District driven by strong public interest.
In May 2024, the La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring the preservation and protection of this cherished cultural, environmental, and social landscape for future generations.
Anchored by the lush 5.6-acre Ellen Browning Scripps Park, the district extends from Coast Walk to Whale View Point. Coast Boulevard, marked on La Jolla Park’s 1887 Subdivision Map, remains the central artery, offering breathtaking views framed by belvederes, palm trees, and green lawns. The district includes 35 contributing resources—ten buildings (including two previously listed landmarks), eight sites, and 17 structures. Among these are the endangered 1894 Red Roost and Red Rest redwood bungalows, five public beaches, and four stairways connecting the seashore to La Jolla’s commercial area.
We honor this group with the District Delivered award for their successful documentation and establishment of the historic district, and recognize their outstanding achievements in preserving and celebrating La Jolla’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
Bob Lehman will be our emcee for the PIP Awards ceremony on September 13 from 4 to 6pm. As executive director of the San Diego Museum Council, Bob advocates for over 80 museums and cultural institutions, including SOHO's own Marston House Museum & Gardens and Warner-Carrillo Ranch House Museum in Warner Springs. This is particularly meaningful as we know the deep connections between preservation and cultural enrichment run deep, and Bob's multiple, multifaceted leadership roles underscore this. In addition to leading the Museum Council is also vice chair of the San Diego County Arts & Culture Commission, chair of San Diego ART Matters, a member of the Arts + Culture: San Diego Task Force, and a member of the Balboa Park Cultural Advisory Board.
Be sure to join us in celebrating these heroes who ensure our city's stories and historic places endure for generations to come.
We are almost sold out, so do purchase your PIP tickets now. The event begins with a one-hour reception featuring light hors d'oeuvres in the Marston House formal gardens—a perfect opportunity to mingle and share our passion for preservation with fellow enthusiasts—followed by the ceremony.
Purchase tickets for the September 13 awards ceremony
Location Marston House Formal Gardens, 3525 Seventh Avenue, San Diego
When September 13, 2024 · 4-6pm
Advance purchase only; no tickets will be sold at the door
All photos by Sandé Lollis
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