Keokuk native Conn receives architectural achievement award

By Cindy Iutzi

Staff Writer

Rand Park Pavilion in Keokuk garnered an outstanding professional achievement award for landscape architect Kevin Conn, a Keokuk native.

Conn received the Award of Merit in the Design-Build Category from the Iowa Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects on Oct. 17 during an award banquet in Des Moines.

I think that the recognition is great for the city, said Keokuk Mayor Tom Marion. The pavilion is one of (former mayor) Dave Gudgels premier projects. As far as its notoriety, it does well for Keokuk.

The pavilion was finished in 2009 and has been the venue for a number of well-attended concerts and at least one wedding.

The award is a first for Conn and a first for OPN Architects of Cedar Rapids, where hes worked for more than five years.

Its an honor, Conn said.

The pavilion project, which Conn estimates could be valued at $1 million, is middle-sized in terms of the range of project cost. Others hes worked on have been of greater and lesser expense.

Volunteer work and donations reduced the actual cost of the pavilion to $600,000, he said.

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Keokuk native Conn receives architectural achievement award