NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release, May 4, 2023
Media Contact:
Harrison Stiles
Marketing & Membership Manager
(502) 287-7068
harrison@downtownlex.com
Downtown Lexington Partnership Announces 2022 Awards of Excellence Winners
Lexington, KY – On Monday, April 24, Downtown Lexington Partnership (DLP) hosted the Annual Meeting & Awards of Excellence presented by Republic Bank. Each year, the event recognizes outstanding businesses and/or individuals that have made a lasting and positive impact on downtown.
The luncheon, which took place at the Hilton Lexington/Downtown, serves as an opportunity for DLP to present its annual report for the previous year, as well as recognize the accomplishments that have transformed downtown Lexington, making it stronger, more vibrant, and prosperous.
“We are so thankful for the impact our award winners have made on downtown Lexington over the past year,” said Allen McDaniel, Executive Director of DLP. “Their dedication to helping Lexington flourish is inspiring and embodies our organization’s mission.”
The Urban Innovation Award is 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.
The 2022 Urban Innovation Award was presented to Art Inc. Kentucky – A Community Ventures Social Enterprise, led by Mark Johnson, for their investment in Lexington’s historic and culturally rich East End, including a retail art gallery, a live/work community for artists, a business and marketing incubator for artists, and affordable studio workspaces.
The Landscape and Streetscape Award is given to the business and/or property owners for outstanding effort in maintaining a visual pleasantness to downtown.
The 2022 Landscape and Streetscape Award was presented to Oak View Group for their investment in the streetscape surrounding the newly expanded Central Bank Center, including extensive renovation to the façade, creation of a Catwalk stone staircase connecting High and Vine Streets, and adding Lexington-born sculptor John Henry’s “Symphony of the Bluegrass” sculpture to Vine Street.
The Leadership Achievement Award is given to the business or organization which best exemplifies exceptional contribution to the business, civic, or human vitality of downtown Lexington.
The 2022 Leadership Achievement Award sponsored by Dinsmore was presented to Amy Stout, Vice President, Leadership Development, Commerce Lexington for her contribution to leadership development through the EMERGE conference, Leadership Lexington & Leadership Central Kentucky programs, and the Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass program.
The Rose Lucas Perfect Partner Award is given to a person or organization that contributes greatly to the downtown Lexington mission.
The 2022 Rose Lucas Perfect Partner Award was presented to Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilmembers Hannah LeGris and Chuck Ellinger II, Beverly Fortune, Breeders’ Cup, Fifth Third Bank, Lexington Divisions of Parks & Recreation and Police, and Lord Aeck Sargent. These partners united with a common goal to enhance the ambiance of the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion in Tandy Park in preparation for the 2022 Breeders’ Cup as well as regularly hosted programming including Central Bank Thursday Night Live and Lexington Farmers Market.
The Outstanding Individual Award is 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.
The 2022 Outstanding Individual Award sponsored Central Bank was presented to Steve Kelly for his several leadership terms on the board of Downtown Lexington Partnership and serving as Chair from 2020-2021, as well as more than 30 years in marketing and sales for Central Bank, during which time many fruitful partnerships were forged.
The Smiley Pete Award is 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.
The 2022 Smiley Pete Award sponsored by Fayette Alliance was presented to Kip Cornett, Chair of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Festival. Cornett ignited downtown Lexington during the Breeders’ Cup, including a seven-day festival that featured live music, local artists and guests from across the world, as well as four nights of a Love Letter to Lexington projection mapping show across Lexington’s Historic Courthouse.
For more information, reach out to Laura Farnsworth, DLP’s Director, Development & Events at Laura@downtownlex.com.
About DLP
The Downtown Lexington Partnership (DLP) is the non-profit umbrella Downtown organization formed in 2017 to provide a single point of contact and accountability and a coordinated approach to Downtown revitalization and management. DLP encourages responsible economic development, produces events, addresses issues on behalf of stakeholders, and promotes downtown Lexington. DLP has over 130 members and produces many events for the public including Central Bank Thursday Night Live, Mayfest Arts Fair, and more.
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