RALEIGH, NC (February 24, 2014) – The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA), the official nonprofit organization designated to continue the revitalization downtown Raleigh by enhancing its quality of life and contributing to its economic success, presented three individual Achievement Awards and six Imprint Awards at their annual meeting Thursday night at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Almost 1,000 people attended the DRA 2014 Annual Meeting and Achievement Awards Ceremony. The DRA showcased the contributions of individuals, businesses and organizations that helped energize our vibrant urban core in 2013. Secretary Anthony Tata, Wake County Commissioner Joe Bryan, Mayor Nancy McFarlane and CEO of Magnus Health, Chas Scarantino were the featured as guest speakers. The presentation focused on healthy living aspects from the State level, County level, City level, and downtown business owner’s level.
Six projects all completed in 2013, which attracted over $300 million in public and private investments to downtown, were presented with prestigious Imprint Awards which recognize and celebrate significant contributions to the momentum in downtown Raleigh. The projects and award recipients included: The North Carolina State Bar, Wake County Justice Center, The Red Hat Building, Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, St. Mary’s Square (Northwood Ravin) and 111 Seaboard (York Properties).
In addition, three other special awards were presented to individuals who have made major impacts on downtown’s on-going transformation. The Distinguished Leadership Award - our highest honor - was presented to Harvey Schmitt, President of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, for his public support and active role in the re-opening Fayetteville street and the construction of a new convention center both of which played the biggest role in revitalization Raleigh's downtown. Schmitt has been a champion for downtown since he arrived to Raleigh 20 years ago. The Downtown Advocate Award - created for government employees or employees of partner nonprofit organizations - was presented to Laurie Okun, Raleigh Convention Center and Loren Gold, Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. The award recognizes Okun’s and Gold’s role in attracting the blue grass convention to Raleigh and for attracting thousands of visitors to downtown each year.
Keynote Speaker Sponsor: PNC Bank
Imprint Awards Sponsor: Dominion Realty Partners
Presenting Sponsors: Duke Energy, Eschelon Experiences, First Tennessee Bank, Greater Raleigh Convention Center, Highwoods Properties, Poyner Spruill, Rex Healthcare, Three Post Media
Gold Sponsors: 18 Seaboard/Cantina 18, ABC11 Eyewitness News, AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Clark Nexsen, Greene Resources, Ipreo, Jones Lang LaSalle, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Mulkey Engineers & Consultants, Raleigh Marriott City Center, Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, SunTrust Bank, The Simpson Organization at One Bank of America Plaza, Wells Fargo Bank
Silver Sponsors: 227 Fayetteville Street – This is Where, AECOM, Alexandar Family YMCA, Alfred Williams, Allied Barton, Balfour Beatty Construction, BB&T, Campbell University School of Law, Celito, Coastal Federal Credit Union, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Empire Properties, French/West/Vaughan, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Inn & Suites-Raleigh Downtown at Glenwood South / Comfort Suites Regency Park, Hibernian Entertainment, Hobby Properties, Hyde Street Holdings, LS3P Associates Ltd., Marbles Kids Museum, National Brain Tumor Society, NewBridge Bank, News & Observer, North State Bank, RATIO Architects, Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, Spectrum Properties, Stewart Engineering, Timmons Group, TradeMark Properties, Triangle Blvd, US Foods, Williams Mullen, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP, WRAL TV, York Properties
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About Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA)
DRA is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose mission is to continue the revitalization of Raleigh’s downtown. The Alliance enhances the quality of life and positively impacts the economic success of downtown through five services: 1. Safety, Hospitality & Clean Ambassadors; 2. Strategic Branding & Community Communications; 3. Special Events Production & City Plaza Programming; 4. Retail Attraction & Merchant Promotions; and 5. Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement. For more information about DRA, please visit www.youRhere.com.