Tuesday, July 15, 2014

New Tacoma Awards Honor Downtown Contributions


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For more photos from the event, please visit the facebook album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.781380005231446.1073741947.128539093848877&type=1


Businesses, organizations and individuals who make outstanding contributions to downtown Tacoma were recognized with the annual New Tacoma Awards at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s monthly luncheon held Friday, July 11, at the Pacific Grill Events Center. 

The Chamber, in coordination with sponsors Tacoma Power’s Click! Network, Tags Awards & Specialties and Blitz & Co., honored nominees and recipients at the luncheon.

The 2014 New Tacoma Awards recipients are:

Foss Waterway Seaport’s Rehabilitation received the Ghilarducci Award that recognizes successful new development, renovation or beautification.  The Foss Waterway Seaport recently rebuilt its main north facing wall as a massive wall of glass windows.  This wall has invited the community into the space while also showcasing the Seaports' great collection and activities.
 
Justin Mayfield of Downtown Block Party received the Popham Award that recognizes the individual who has done the most to build community spirit. Through his organization, Local Life, Justin has created the Downtown Block Party, now in its fifth year.  This event brings hundreds of people to downtown for a free event each year highlighting some of the great things downtown Tacoma has to offer. 
 
Downtown On the Go’s Walk Tacoma received the Public Places Award that recognizes the best activation of a public park, open space or area within the public right-of-way. Downtown On the Go brings hundreds of people onto the streets of downtown making the streets more alive.  The growing momentum of the Walk Tacoma series is a great sign that people are ready to get to know their "downtown," contributing to the area's revitalization in a huge way.
 
Tinkertopia received the Schoenfeld Award that recognizes exemplary performance and pizzazz as a retailer.  Darcy & RR have created a unique have for artists and recyclers who are looking for something a bit different. They are a destination for teachers, students, artists, crafters, inventors, makers, hackers and tinkerers of any age in search of unusual materials for any creative venture.
 
Children’s Museum of Tacoma received the Union Station Award that recognizes leading organizations, companies or individuals that have built or sustained momentum for revitalization.  The mission of the Children's Museum of Tacoma is to celebrate the power of play in the lifelong journey of learning. They strive to be a leader in our community in using play to learn, grow and thrive.
 
After a great luncheon and energy from everyone making downtown great we are looking forward to all the exciting things our downtown community has in store for the next year.

Thursday, July 03, 2014

Congratulations to the 2014 New Tacoma Award Nominees!


Each year the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations making outstanding contributions to downtown Tacoma with the New Tacoma Awards.
 
This year the Chamber, in coordination with sponsors Tacoma Power's Click! Network and Tags Awards & Specialties, will honor nominees and recipients at the Chamber Luncheon on July 11th at the Pacific Grill Event Center at 1530 Pacific Avenue, 98402 from 11:30 to 1PM. For more information on the program and to register, please visit the Chamber's website.
The 2014 New Tacoma Award Nominees are:

The Ghilarducci Award recognizing successful new development, renovation or beautification:
- Community Health Care’s New Regional Health Center
- Foss Waterway Seaport’s Rehabilitation
- HHJ’s Rehabilitation of the Rector’s Building
- Tacoma Post Office Building Rehabilitation
- UWT Section of Prairie Line Trail
The Popham Award recognizing the individual that has done the most to build community spirit:
 
- Dion Thomas of Gallery of Ambition
- JD Elquist of The Elquists
- Justin Mayfield of Downtown Block Party
- Rusty George of Rusty George Creative
The Public Places Award recognizing the best activation of a public park, open space or right-of-way:

- Alchemy Skate’s Go Skate Tacoma Day
- City of Tacoma’s Pacific Avenue Streetscape
- Downtown On the Go’s Walk Tacoma

The Schoenfeld Award recognizing exemplary performance and pizazz as a retailer or restaurateur:

- Anthem Coffee
- Creative Forces Gifts & Sundries
- Endless Prints
- Handlebar Cycling Studio
- Harmon Brewing
- Moss + Mineral
- Savor Creperie
- Stink
- Tinkertopia

The Union Station Award recognizing organizations, companies or individuals that have built or sustained momentum for revitalization:

- Children’s Museum of Tacoma
- Downtown Merchants Group
- Milt Tremblay of UWT

Congratulations to all the nominees! For a list of prior winners, please see the Chamber's website. We look forward to seeing you on July 12th.

BIA, Downtown Businesses and the Link


David Schroedel, the Chamber's Metropolitan Development Director and BIA Manager, makes the case rather effectively for BIA's stepping in to help fund the Tacoma Link as a guest on local radio station KLAY in June. 

Schroedel also gave a concise and helpful description of the BIA, its operation and its mission. When anyone asks what the BIA does then recommend this audio file!

Click here to listen to Schroedel's segment.