Downtown Lexington Partnership’s Annual Meeting & Awards of Excellence presented by Republic Bank took place this year on May 24 and was held at the Hilton Lexington Downtown. The event allows us to recognize the accomplishments that have transformed our downtown by making it stronger, more vibrant and prosperous. Each year, this event recognizes outstanding businesses and/or individuals that have made a lasting and positive impact on downtown. This year’s event was attended by around 100 business professionals. Read on to find out more about the Award Winners and their accomplishments.
(Awards for 2020 and 2019 were both presented at this event due to COVID-19 preventing an in-person Annual Meeting in 2020.)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Award Descriptions:
Urban Innovation Award: Given to businesses or individuals for a successful and truly trail-blazing activity in a previously underdeveloped area or facet of downtown Lexington. Included in this category is recognition for new efforts, for continued and expanded work, and for creative and unusual achievement.
Landscape and Streetscape Award: Given to the business and/or property owners for outstanding effort in maintaining a visual pleasantness to downtown.
Leadership Achievement Award: Given to the business or organization which best exemplifies exceptional contribution to the business, civic, or human vitality of downtown Lexington.
Rose Lucas Perfect Partner Award: Given to a person or organization that contributes greatly to the downtown Lexington mission.
Outstanding Individual Award: Given to an individual who has contributed to the growth, vitality, and overall appeal of downtown Lexington, making it a better place to live, work, and visit.
Smiley Pete Award: Given to the organization, business, or individual that has a great impact on how people feel about downtown. Named in honor of that longtime canine resident of Main and Lime, and created as the ultimate in compliments for those who help everyone enjoy being downtown.
2020 Award Winners:
Urban Innovation Award: Cowgill, for studios180, a new multi-unit residential space located on an underused lot, boasting top-of-the-line amenities and experiences to encourage more people to live downtown. Greyline Station, a new mixed-use development in the NoLi District that features retail stores, offices, dining, a radio studio, event space, and the Julietta Market, all under one roof in a former bus garage.
Landscape and Streetscape Award: LexPark, for the array of upgrades to the Victorian Square Garage, which include new lighting, green planting baskets, enhanced safety measures, and a large PARK sign and arrow welcoming everyone to the busy corner of Broadway and Short Streets.
Leadership Achievement Award: Cumulus Media for their continued support of downtown Lexington, which includes being a reliable source for info ranging from business support and health and wellness, to where you can enjoy the best dining, nightlife and events.
Rose Lucas Perfect Partner Award: Central Bank, for generously agreeing to pivot their sponsorship investment during COVID-19 from in-person events to DowntownLex Together, a customer reward program that allowed DLP to encourage spending at all downtown businesses for an opportunity to win prizes purchased from DLP members.
Outstanding Individual Award: James Frazier III, for his tireless service to downtown Lexington, which includes multiple terms as Chairman of the Downtown Lexington Management District, as well as terms as Chairman of the Lexington-Fayette County Parking Authority and the Transylvania University Board of Trustees.
Smiley Pete Award: A Cup of Common Wealth for being a community resource on the East End of downtown, and a commitment to giving back, especially during COVID-19, and always being friendly ambassadors of the downtown experience.
2019 Award Winners:
Urban Innovation Award: For their completion of the City Center project, which brings new restaurants, retail, hotel rooms, and office space to downtown, we recognize City Center Companies, a joint venture of Greer Companies and The Webb Companies.
Landscape and Streetscape Award: For their completed restaurant on the corner of Vine Street and South Limestone, which includes an outdoor patio, enhanced greenery, and an ornate entrance, we recognize Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse – Lexington.
Leadership Achievement Award: For their continued dedication to combining campus life to downtown Lexington, including a new mixed-use development on the corner of South Limestone and Winslow Street, which includes retail, parking, and education: The Cornerstone, we recognize Dr. Eli Capilouto and the University of Kentucky.
Perfect Partner Award: For their continued support of downtown Lexington, including a spring meet opening day celebration the combined world-class thoroughbred racing with the season kickoff of Central Bank Thursday Night Live, a day that was enjoyed by thousands of locals and guests from around the world, we recognize Keeneland.
Outstanding Individual Award: For his tireless dedication to downtown Lexington, which includes his work on development projects including City Center, and downtown events including the Fourth of July Parade, and Lexington Christmas Parade, we recognize Ralph Coldiron.
Smiley Pete Award: For his years of service to the Lexington Police Department, during which he patrolled the Downtown Entertainment District, provided assistance to countless events and programs, and was a friendly face as part of the Bike Unit, we recognize retired Lexington Police Officer Howard Florence.