Downtown Denver Partnership Releases 2017-18 Annual Report at 63rd Annual Meeting
The Downtown Denver Partnership recognized the impact of its place-based economic development strategy at the organization’s 63rd Annual Meeting today, also outlining strategic initiatives for the coming year and honoring outstanding contributions by its leaders and members. The annual event, presented by Grant Thornton, is an opportunity to recognize the bold moves and small steps that help create an economically powerful downtown.
Nearly 800 civic and business leaders came together to celebrate the city and the people who play a part in building it. For 63 years, the Downtown Denver Partnership has been steady, confident and visionary in building one of the most in-demand center cities in the country. The high-impact strategies outlined in the 2007 Downtown Area Plan guide the Partnership’s work in leading a place-based economic development strategy to ensure that downtown businesses thrive.
“Bold, strategic steps and small, tactical moves build upon one another to make Downtown Denver a great, resilient city,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “The Downtown Denver Partnership, our member organizations and the entire business community, joined by the City and community partners, have a bias for action that is creating one of the most economically powerful center cities in the country.”
The Partnership reported on accomplishments that moved Downtown Denver forward over the past year, which are detailed in the organization’s 2017-18 Annual Report, and shared several priorities for the upcoming year, including an organizational focus on powerful placemaking through initiatives like the 5280 Loop that improve the downtown environment, strengthening and supporting the economic vitality of the center city, attract the best and brightest people and companies, fueling a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation that increases the attractiveness of downtown, and emphasizing bike lanes, public spaces, housing, and amenities – building a place where people want to be.
The Partnership announced the launch of an Upper Downtown economic development and public realm plan. The process, led by a steering committee with extensive community outreach, will set to stage for the future of this vibrant center city district. The Partnership also announced a focus on adding more tress to Downtown Denver through an urban forest master plan that will double the number of trees in downtown over the next ten years.
The Partnership also recognized the leadership of outgoing chairman of the Partnership, Bill Mosher, senior managing director at Trammell Crow Company. Rob Cohen, CEO of The IMA Financial Group, Inc., was elected as chairman of the Partnership for 2018-19. In addition, Mike Zoellner, Managing Partner of ZF Capital, was elected for as chairman of Downtown Denver, Inc., and Trinidad Rodriguez, senior vice president & managing director, Public Finance of D.A. Davidson was elected to a third term as chairman of Denver Civic Ventures.
“The work of the Downtown Denver Partnership is as wide as it is deep,” said Bill Mosher, outgoing chair of the Partnership. “It has been my pleasure to lead the organization’s robust work with my fellow board chairs, the entire board of directors and the Partnership team over the past year.”
Several Partnership members were also recognized for their significant contributions to the Partnership’s efforts to build and grow an economically powerful center city:
Honorary Partner Award: Presented to a member who exhibits strong leadership and engagement in the Partnership for a period of at least ten years
- Bruce James, Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Peter Bowes Award: Presented to a member who exemplifies the legacy of Peter Bowes, past chairman of the Downtown Denver Partnership
- Kevin Kelley, Managing Partner, Husch Blackwell
Downtown Champion Awards: Presented to members who have made significant contributions to the Partnership’s programs and initiatives over the last year
- Olivia Omega, Entrepreneurial Branding Consultant, Wallace Marketing Group
- Jay Zeschin, Vice President of Technology, IMAgine Analytics
- Ellen Winkler, Co-Founder, Owner & Lead Designer, INDUSTRY DENVER
- Ray Bellucci, Senior Managing Director, TIAA
For more information and to view the 2017 – 2018 Downtown Denver Partnership Annual Report click here. Click here to read more about the award winners.