New Tacoma Award Recipients Honored

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 today at the Pacific Grill Events Center. 

Keeping with last year's awards, the awards themselves are beautiful glass sculptures hand-crafted by Hilltop Artists mounted on bases.  The New Tacoma Awards are proudly sponsored by Absher Construction Company.

The 2012 New Tacoma Awards recipients are:

• First Night Tacoma-Pierce County received the Union Station Award that recognizes leading organizations, companies or individuals that have built or sustained momentum for revitalization. As a celebration of rebirth and new beginnings, First Night was itself reborn five years ago after a brief hiatus.  This year, it again showed its strength bringing thousands of people downtown for a full day of family friendly celebration. While the coalition of people and organizations contributing to First Night each year changes a little it has been a welcome celebration of the New Year.  Each year First Night reminds people who might not otherwise come downtown that downtown is a safe and fun place for all ages.  As the nominator said, “We need to cherish this institution.”

• LeMay – America’s Car Museum received the Ghilarducci Award that recognizes successful new development, renovation or beautification.  Past decades of annual LeMay family car shows have brought patrons and participants from around the world.  With the opening of the LeMay Museum, heralded by USA Today as one of the top 10 events to attend worldwide in 2012.  Harold and Nancy LeMay’s vision to preserve their unique collection is a gift not only to our community, but to the world of car enthusiasts as well. This year’s Ghilarducci Award winner builds on the successes of Tacoma to increase the visitor draw to downtown.  America’s Car Museum has truly global appeal while engaging volunteers in its mission.  In the nominator's words, “I cannot tell you the joy that volunteers and visitors experience when viewing these one-of-a-kind collections."

• The Swiss received the Schoenfeld Award that recognizes exemplary performance and pizzazz as a retailer. While The Swiss started out in a forgotten corner of downtown, downtown has come to it.  With the continued growth of UWT, Owners Jack McQuade and Bob Hill have been updating their approach to make the 19 year old institution more family friendly during the day while still, in the words of the nominator, “rocking the old space since before reclaimed buildings were cool.” Owners McQuade, Hill and Bertagni were downtown pioneers when they opened The Swiss in 1993.  Since then, they’ve faced street reconstruction, construction of a University, the death of a partner, and a constantly evolving downtown.  With great sandwiches like the Heart Smart Art to go along with musical acts drawing people to downtown Tacoma, we look forward to The Swiss contributing to downtown’s renaissance for decades to come.
  
  
• Tim Waer, Tacoma South Sound Sports, received the Popham Award that recognizes the individual who has done the most to build community spirit.  Tim has always had incredible energy for Tacoma, Pierce County, and athletics.  This past winter he turned his energy towards bringing these sports downtown with the first Let's Play Sports and Fitness Fest.  In less than two months he pulled off an event at the Convention Center that brought thousands of kids, parents, and athletes to downtown Tacoma.  This year’s Popham winner continues to build his record of community involvement and support of downtown and the greater Tacoma community.  While much of Tim’s energy has gone toward the success of Tacoma as a mecca for amateur sports, what many people don’t realize is just how many visitors this brings to downtown Tacoma every year.  With the Let’s Play Festival this January, downtown saw thousands of true amateurs, many under 12, come experience downtown.
  
  
• Wright Park Sprayground & Playground received the second Public Places Award that recognizes the best activation of a public park, open space or area within the public right-of-way. While Wright Park is over 100 years old it had a less than stellar reputation among families. Under the guidance of the Tacoma Metropolitan Park District and the Greater MetroParks Foundation, a revamping of the park was undertaken.  With the reworking of the ponds and playground and the addition of the sprayground last summer, Wright Park has become a year round family destination again. The coalition to rebuild Wright Park stems not only from public agencies, but from the extraordinary gifts of the community.  As part of the three-point-five million dollar Zinna Linnik project and capital campaign, not only was Wright Park given new life, but McCarver Park was completely renovated as well.  Without these investments, the community might have slowly forgotten about these downtown jewels.

The Luncheon, held at the Pacific Grill Events Center, was sponsored by Cascade Regional Blood Services.  The next Chamber Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, August 10, 2012.

Congratulations to the 2012 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 Cascade Regional Blood Services and Absher Construction, will honor nominees and winners at the Chamber Luncheon on July 13th at the Pacific Grill Event Center.  For more information on the program and to register, please visit the Chamber's website.


The 2012 New Tacoma Award Nominees are:


The Ghilarducci Award recognizing successful new development, renovation or beautification:

• 21st Street Park
• LeMay - America's Car Museum
• Old Post Office

The Popham Award recognizing the individual that has done the most to build community spirit:

• Athena Hitson, The Space
• Melanie Rushforth, Tap into T-Town
• Tim Waer, Tacoma Sports Commission

The Public Places Award recognizing the best activation of a public park, open space or right-of-way:

• Frost Park Chalk Off
• Polar Plaza at Tollefson Plaza
• Temporal Terminus: Marking the Line along the Prairie Line Trail
• Words at Tollefson Plaza
• Wright Park Sprayground and Playground

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

• 1022 South
• Corina Bakery
• Stink
• The Swiss

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

• Downtown: On the Go!
• First Night Tacoma-Pierce County
• Stadium Thriftway
• Tacoma Farmer's Market (2010 Winner)
• Voices of the City Initiative

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 13th.

Congratulations to the 2011 New Tacoma Award Nominees!

Each year the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations making outstanding contributions to downtown Tacoma with New Tacoma Awards. This year the Chamber will honor New Tacoma Award nominees and winners at the City Center Luncheon on April 1st at the Pacific Grill Event Center. For more information on the program and to register for the event visit the event page on the Chamber’s website.

The 2011 New Tacoma Award Nominees are:

Schoenfeld Award Recognizing exemplary performance and pizazz as a retailer or restaurateur
- 1022 South
- The Harmon Tap Room
- The Mix
- Harmon Hub

Ghilarducci Award Recognizing successful new development, renovation or beautification
- Spaceworks Tacoma
- The Joy Building, University of Washington Tacoma
- Ben Gilbert Park

Union Station Award Recognizing leading organizations, companies or individuals that have built or sustained momentum for revitalization
- Bruce Kendall, Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County
- Go Local - Shift Happens
- Theater District Association

Popham Award Recognizing the individual that has done the most to build “community spirit”
- Tammy Blount, Greater Tacoma Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Mike Longergan, KLAY Radio
- Craig Perry, Dock Street Marina
- Emily Reiter, Business Examiner
- Mark Van Cooney, Hotel Murano

Public Places Award Recognizing the best activation of a public park, open space or area within the public right-of-way
- Spaceworks Tacoma - 2 nominations
- The Projecting Drop
- Frost Park Chalk Artists

Congratulations to all the nominees!

Memorial Service Honors Lakewood Officers

The BIA has received many requests for information about Tuesday’s memorial service. This blog will be updated as more information becomes available.

A memorial to honor Lakewood Police Officers Mark Renninger, Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. in the Tacoma Dome. More than 20,000 members of the law enforcement community, emergency response agencies and the public are anticipated to attend and celebrate the lives of these officers.

The Memorial Service is open to the public, however seating will be limited seated due to the anticipated number of law enforcement and other public safety personnel attending. Officials recommend the public select a spot along the processional route to show their respect or attend a memorial service remote site, such as the Pacific Lutheran University’s Olson Auditorium.

The procession will begin at approximately 10 a.m. at the McChord Air Force Base North Gate. It will proceed through Lakewood to the Lakewood Police Department, where the families of the slain officers and the Lakewood Police will join the procession. They will proceed from there to the Tacoma Dome.

Procession Route
· Leave McChord Air Force Base, North Gate, north on South Tacoma Way (Lakewood)
· South on South Tacoma Way Extension (Lakewood)
· West on 108th St. (Lakewood)
· North on Lakeview Drive SW (Lakewood)
· West on 100th St. SW (Lakewood)
· North on Lakewood Dr. SW (Lakewood) stopping at the Lakewood Police Department
· East on Steilacoom Blvd. (Lakewood)
· North on South Tacoma Way (Lakewood, Tacoma)
· East on East 26th St. (Tacoma)
· South on East C St. (Tacoma)
· Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D Street, Tacoma

Parking
Please note that the parking lots at the Tacoma Dome will be reserved for the memorial procession vehicles and other emergency service vehicles.

Parking is available in the garages and surface lots in downtown Tacoma. The Tacoma LINK Light Rail, which runs every 15 minutes, connects downtown parking lots and garage to the Tacoma Dome.

Public Transportation
The Public is encouraged to take public transportation to the Tacoma Dome. Pierce Transit will operate limited bus service from two alternative parking locations, to the Tacoma Dome. This service will be free to the public. Bus service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the last bus will leave each location at 12 noon. Pierce Transit will provide return trips immediately after the memorial service. The public is strongly encouraged to utilize these off-site parking lots.

The two off-site parking areas are:
· Cheney Stadium, 2502 South Tyler Street, Tacoma
· Tacoma Mall – North Parking Lot (across the parking lot from Macy’s, near the Firestone Tire store)

Memorial Service Remote Site - Pacific Lutheran University
Pacific Lutheran University will be opening Olson Auditorium to the public as a remote site for Tuesday's Memorial Service. Officials are encouraging the public to view the memorial from this location.

Parking is available at the Church of All Nations, 111 112th St. E. Shuttles will transport to the auditorium beginning at 9:30 a.m. to the beginning of the memorial ceremony at 1 p.m. The shuttle service will resume after the ceremony to transport people back to the parking area. The auditorium is at the intersection of 124th St. South and 10th Ave. South in Parkland. The doors will open at 9 a.m.

Listserve for Washington Flag Displays

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