The Dole Institute of Politics and the thrift store manager for the Social Service League of Lawrence were honored Tuesday by area Realtors for improving the city’s quality of life.

At their annual River City Recognition Awards, members of the Lawrence Board of Realtors gave the Dole Institute of Politics the group’s Architectural Enhancement Award. They honored Jean Ann Pike with the Humanitarian Contribution Award.

Bill Lacy, the recently hired director of the institute, said it was appropriate the 28,000-square-foot building on Kansas University’s west campus was honored by the real estate community because the center made Lawrence a more attractive place to live.

“My wife and I recently had visitors in from Los Angles who aren’t easily impressed, and it just blew them away,” he said. “I think, in time, you’ll find a lot of people who come to Lawrence to live and who find this center really adds to the appeal of the community.”

Since opening last summer, the center has attracted speakers such as former President Bill Clinton, former presidential candidate George McGovern, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and others. The building also houses the largest congressional archive in the nation and memorabilia from Sen. Bob Dole’s life and career in politics.

Realtors said the building was among the community’s better examples of fine architecture.

“With its limestone walls and stained-glass windows and its reflecting pool, it really became an instant KU landmark,” said Nicole Mosqueda, an agent with Lawrence Realty Associates and one of the committee members who selected the award winners.

Pike was honored for her work at the Social Service League of Lawrence’s thrift store at 905 R.I. She has been a volunteer at the store for eight years and its manager the past four years. She also is active with the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen, she said.

“I have watched Jean Ann do things that nobody else in Lawrence could do as well,” said Larry Northrop, an agent with Realty Executives-Hedges Real Estate and president of the league’s board of directors. “She gives people clothing when they need clothed. She gives them food when they need to be fed.”

The Dole Institute of Politics is this year's winner of the Lawrence Board of Realtors' Architectural Enhancement Award. The 28,000-square-foot building, pictured on Tuesday, has attracted high-profile speakers such as former President Bill Clinton and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. The building is located on Kansas University's west campus.

Pike said she thought Lawrence was a place worth becoming involved with.

“This is just a great community to give back to,” Pike said. “It is just the most amazing town to live in.”