2006 Annual Meeting & Awards of Excellence

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the 2006 Annual meeting.  The Downtown Lexington Corporation presents awards annually in several categories to individuals, organizations, and businesses that provide exemplary efforts and work to continue the strengthening of Downtown Lexington.  Congratulations to this year's Awards of Excellence Winners.

View the awards video shown at the Annual Meeting.

(adobe flash player is required to view the videos get it here)

Video Prepared by Michael Breeding Media

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.

Teresa Tomb and Mecca Dance
For the work they have done to bring the Mardi Gras and Thriller parades to Downtown.  In just a few short years, both of these events have grown to be a part of the Downtown culture and are very much anticipated events.

       
Left:  The Mecca Dance Studio.  Right:  Teresa Tomb of Mecca Dance
accepts the Urban Innovation Award

Landscape and Streetscape Award
Given to businesses and/or property owners for outstanding effort in maintaining a visual pleasantness to Downtown. 

Triangle Foundation
For their work to restore the Triangle Park Foundations.  The Triangle Foundation underwrote the $240,000 repair and refurbishment of the lighting and waterjet systems.  This feature is arguably one of the most important features of our city.  In the words of Lexington Center CEO Bill Owen, “The commercial success of Downtown and especially Lexington Center is aided immeasurably by Triangle Park and its foundations.”

      
Left:  The Triangle Park Fountain, in front of the Lexington Center.  Right: Mr. Steve Grossman
accepting the Landscape and Streetscape Award on behalf of the Triangle Foundation.

Leadership Achievement Award
Given to the business or organization which best exemplifies exceptional contribution to the business, civic, or human vitality of Downtown Lexington. 

Ralph Anderson (UK Alum and Owner of Belcan Corporation) and Belcan Corporation
For bringing high paying engineering jobs to and keeping them in Downtown.  They could have easily gone to many other states – even to the outskirts of Lexington – but Mr. Anderson “demanded” to be Downtown.  Three floors are leased in the World Trade Center office tower.  Mr. Anderson’s efforts have brought enormous benefits for Lexington, Central Kentucky, and the entire state.

         
Left: Ralph G. Anderson.  Right: Mr. Chuck Mix, General Manager of Belcan’s Lexington office,
accepting the Leadership Achievement Award on behalf of Ralph Anderson.

Perfect Partner Award
Given to a person or organization that contributes greatly to the Downtown Lexington mission. 

Smiley Pete Publishing
For continually working through their four publications Chevy Chaser, Southsider, Business Lexington, and W Weekly to work to promote businesses and events, community involvement, and historical perspective.  They carry regular features on Downtown development and activities as well as generally promote the events and companies that make Lexington a vibrant place to live and work.  Their tagline is “A Partner in Progress” and they have lived up to this slogan in their commitment to Downtown Lexington.

 
Chuck Creasy (center right) and Chris Eddy (center left)
accept the Perfect Partner Award.

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. 

Lucille Little
While alive Lucille Caudill Little was very philanthropic and community minded.  Mrs. Little leaves behind a very generous endowment to help fund the Opera House renovation and numerous other projects in Downtown Lexington and beyond.

     
Left: Lucille Caudill Little.  Right: Bill Allen, President of Bank of the Bluegrass,
accepting the Outstanding Individual Award on behalf of Lucille Little.    

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 one who helps everyone enjoy being Downtown.

Isabel Yates
For tirelessly working to improve and promote Downtown to all the citizens of our community.  Everybody in Lexington knows who Isabel Yates is – she needs practically no introduction.  Reed Polk, Community Activist and Volunteer says of Isabel: “My, My, marvelous Isabel----she’s always coming back from where the rest of us are going.”  Because of her tireless work to improve and promote Downtown and her many years of public service to our city we are honoring Isabel Yates with the Smiley Pete Award. 

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2006 Annual Meeting Sponsors:

E. Stephen Hein Florist