Meet The People Behind Downtown Tampa’s Boom

TAMPA, FL — As Downtown Tampa experiences an economic boom, the Tampa Downtown Partnership is honoring those who are adding to the momentum. At its annual Urban Excellence Awards Wednesday night, local businesses, organizations and leaders were recognized for their positive impact on downtown.

“More people than ever are choosing to live, work and play downtown. This type of growth wouldn’t be possible without our amazing, diverse community,” said Tampa Downtown Partnership CEO Lynda Remund. “The Urban Excellence Awards is our opportunity to say thanks to the trailblazers and champions who contribute to the vibrant future of Tampa’s downtown.”

The Tampa Downtown Partnership is a private, membership based nonprofit comprised of companies, organizations and individuals with a common goal of advancing Tampa's downtown.

Remund took the stage at the Tampa Museum of Art along with Hillsborough County Schools spokesman Grayson Kamm to announce 2019’s Urban Excellence Award Winners in each category.

“Both the nominees and winners of this year’s Urban Excellence Awards are helping to foster both economic investment and quality of life downtown. The Tampa Downtown Partnership is the glue that holds everyone together. We’re celebrating as a community what we can achieve by fostering a shared vision for downtown,” said Kevin Plummer, chairman for the Tampa Downtown Partnership said.

Finalists are chosen through a three-step process. First, the Tampa Downtown Partnership invites the public to submit nominations for each category. When the nomination period closes, each submission is considered based on the criteria set within each category. Finally, a panel of jurors representing a cross-section of downtown constituencies evaluate the nominations on a scale of 1-10 based on the criteria and their relation to six topics: innovation, creativity, engagement, sustainability, advancement and impact.

2019 Winners:

• Activating Public Spaces Award: Channel District Community Alliance (CDCA)

This award recognizes a person, organization, business, project or initiative that has made a positive and significant contribution to a downtown space or has created a more attractive pedestrian atmosphere and commercially vibrant environment through activities, street-level storefront improvements or design elements.

The CDCA is a formal Community Redevelopment Area in which locally generated tax revenues are used to provide incentives for fostering redevelopment. Among its accomplishments is the creation of the Maven Market, Flicks and Food Trucks on the third Thursday of the month, the Urban Home Tour and the Channel District Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony.

• Arts & Culture Award: Straz Center for Performing Arts 2018-19 Season, including bringing the musical "Hamilton" to Tampa and the creation of the Art Legacy Remix which brings together performing arts groups from around the community.

This award is presented to an organization, event or initiative that has had a significant and lasting impact on downtown’s arts and cultural life, stimulates economic growth, encourages tourism and enhances downtown’s cultural image.

• Downtown Collaboration Award: 13 Ugly Men Foundation Inc.

This award recognizes a group partnership that has made a unique, positive contribution to downtown; and has been responsible for a project or program that has complemented the work of the City of Tampa and the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

The foundation hosts unique-themed parties to raise funds for Tampa nonprofits. To date, the foundation has raised more than $1 million for local charities.

• Downtown Experience Award: Lizzo Freak Shake by Bake’n Babes

This award is presented to an event, entity or idea that involved people in or exposed them to a positive downtown experience, thus enhancing their enjoyment while visiting the area.

Bake'n Bakes, located inside The Hall on Franklin at 1701 N. Franklin St., made national news when it created a Freak Shake. Prior to rapper Lizzo's September concert at the Yuengling Center, the bakery created a "freak shake" in her honor, a milkshake topped with Fruity Pebbles cereal, a cookie displaying a frosting likeness of Lizzo, a glitter-frosted cupcake, cotton candy, a lollipop and a flaming sparkler. Lizzo, herself, couldn't resist trying concoction and posted a photo on her Instagram page.

• Landmark Development Award: Sparkman Wharf

This award recognizes an iconic building that serves as a magnet to attract people to downtown by improving the physical environment or by enhancing the economic, cultural or social well-being of the area.

The struggling Channelside Bay Plaza got a complete makeover by Strategic Property Partners that included a 1-acre outdoor space with seating for 500 overlooking the Garrison Channel, a biergarten and a mix of culinary offerings from some of Tampa's top chefs.

• Marketplace Award: Indie Flea Tampa at Armature Works

This award is presented to a person, business, project or initiative that has made a positive and significant contribution to the downtown marketplace or has improved downtown by contributing a new or unique retail experience.

The Indie Flea at Armature Works is a community flea market offering jewelry, arts, crafts, vintage items, food and music.

• Private Sector Award: All for Transportation

This award recognizes a private sector project that has made a positive and significant contribution to downtown; and has demonstrated a commitment to assist in revitalizing the Downtown area.

All for Transportation is a grassroots group that successfully petitioned the community to get a referendum on the 2018 election ballot to approve a 1-cent tax for transportation improvements.

• Public Sector Award: Clean Air Fair by the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County

This award recognizes a public sector project that has made a positive and significant contribution to downtown; and has demonstrated a strong impact in revitalizing the downtown area.

The EPC has hosted the Clean Air Fair each May for 18 years, recognizing ordinary citizens who take extraordinary actions to protect and defend the environment. The free event also includes vendors and environmental exhibitors from around the county, food samples, nature exhibits, prize drawings and live music.

• People’s Choice Award: “Because of Sam The Movie” premiere at Tampa Theatre

This award is presented to a nominee who receives the most votes via on online submission by the general public.

Tampa independent filmmaker Renee Warmack produced this film about Tampa native Sam Piazza, who was born with Down syndrome. The film shows the extraordinary things he has been able to accomplish with the love of support of the community.

• Christine M. Burdick Person of the Year Award: Dave Burton

This award is presented to an individual that has made a positive and significant contribution to downtown; has added to the downtown visitor experience or has demonstrated strong leadership in revitalizing the downtown area.

Dave Burton is a well-respected Tampa Bay whose restaurants helped launch Tampa into the national foodie spotlight. He is managing partner of Tampa Pizza Company and co-managing partner of the Holy Hog BBQ, The Getaway, Gen X and Flock and Stock. He also serves on the board of Visit Tampa Bay and has been involved in fundraisers for the Glazer Children's Museum, The Crisis Center, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Theatre, Gasparilla International Film Festival, Trinity Café, Children’s Dream Fund, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Sustany Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, First Tee of Tampa Bay, Feeding Children Everywhere and No Kid Hungry Campaign, among others.

Members of the awards jury were Sean Baraoidan of Real Building Consultants, Frank Grebowski of European Wax Center, Jennifer Malone of the Hillsborough County Planning Commission and Kevin Plummer of Tampa Preparatory School.