City of Aberdeen Community Development Director Lisa Scott announced a new program to recognize people who are making an impact in the community at the city council meeting on March 26.

“One of the things we’re trying to do this year is to start talking positively about Aberdeen,” Scott said. “We get a lot of (negativity). There’s so many good things happening in our community that we wanted to start paying recognition to that because if we start talking better about ourselves, other people will start talking better about that, too.”

Gray Acres LLC has the designation as the first organization recognized by this new initiative.

Scott read the inscription on the plaque presented to Gray Acres: “In recognition of the hard work, dedication, and passion for our community and for the continued commitment to the redevelopment of Aberdeen.”

Scott then asked Josh Padgett, building official in Community Development to say a few words about Gray Acres and the organization’s place in the local community.

“This particular company, they’ve done, which I’m sure you guys have seen, 212 East Wishkah, which is the nice blue painted building as you’re driving through town. It’s got the giant, ‘Annatiques’ sign on it,” Padgett said. “That’s (18) newly remodeled apartments. They did the Throwback Threadz building which used to be a tattoo parlor in downtown Aberdeen as well. They just took over the Grays Apartments, and are actually currently putting in the brand new fire escape in the rear of the building that has been not to code for 20-plus years.”

Padgett then introduced Julie Rajcich, who accepted the award on behalf of Gray Acres.

“I am part of a team, and I wanted to say thank you on behalf of them and myself. It’s nice to know our efforts haven’t gone unrecognized,” Rajcich said. “I have been investing in property in Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Montesano and Cosmopolis since 2016, and hopefully we’ll continue moving forward. Our current focus right now is working on the 200 block of East Wishkah Street. We’re really motivated to clean up that part of town because a lot of people refer to it as the ‘scary block.’”

Rajcich went on to discuss other projects Gray Acres have in their sights for renovation. According to Rajcich, Gray Acres LLC was started in 2016.

“Since that time we (a small group of investors) have worked to rehab single family residences, duplexes, fourplexes, and multi-family apartment buildings. Our current focus has been working on improving the 200 block of E Wishkah Street,” said Rajcich. “These are more than financial investments to us, they are investments in our community. I was born and raised in Aberdeen and returned to the area after finishing college. I hope to continue to create a positive impact on Aberdeen for future generations. Special thanks to Josh Padgett. He has really transformed our experiences of working with the city of Aberdeen during the permitting and inspection processes. He has been a joy to work with and you can really tell he has Aberdeen’s best interests in mind.”

The city of Aberdeen’s Community Development department plans to present three more such awards in 2025.