Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 recognized its 2018 Downtown Achievement Award winners Downtown impact-makers, stakeholders, and supporters honored for contributions to central business district on September 26.
More than 250 downtown stakeholders attended the 21st Annual Meeting for the Milwaukee Downtown BID. The coffee-themed presentation kick-started the day at The Pavilion at Discovery World, where BID #21 leaders recapped this year’s accomplishments, discussed 2019 initiatives and announced the 2018 Milwaukee Downtown Achievement Awards winners.
The program began with remarks from Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21’s CEO Beth Weirick and Milwaukee Downtown Board Chair Joseph Ullrich, who highlighted the organization’s high-level accomplishments and announced initiatives brewing for 2019. The ceremony concluded with presentation of the coveted Downtown Achievement Awards, with remarks led by Beth Weirick and Milwaukee Downtown Executive Committee member, Tammy Babisch. A call for award nominations was broadcast to the downtown community. Award reviews were conducted by Milwaukee Downtown staff and the Executive Committee. The 2018 Downtown Achievement Award recipients were:
Officer Tom Kline and Community Prosecutor Kelly Hedge, winners of the Downtown Champion Award, for working to reduce chronic homelessness and chronic nuisance offenders, providing resources for those in need and increasing public safety.
7Seventy7, winner of the Brick and Mortar Award, for adding to the transformation going on near Cathedral Square bringing boldness and vision together to create a one-of-a-kind living experience downtown.
Homewood Inn & Suites, winner of the CPR Award, for reviving the 136-year-old, underutilized building at 500 N. Water, converting the building into a 94-room Hilton Homewood Inn & Suites.
True Skool, Inc., winner of the He(art) of the Community Award, for inspiring creativity, partnership and support for youth development within the urban downtown area.
Brew City MKE, winner of the Downtown Attraction Award, for creating a new, Milwaukee-centric venue that is attracting visitors from around the globe to their Beer Museum and Beer Bar.
310W, winner of the Downtown Placemaker Award, for reactivating the former Reuss Federal Plaza into a vibrant business, retail and community gathering place at the heart of Westown.
Chase Tower, winner of the Downtown Cornerstone Award, for acting as a foundational place for activity, events and community, anchoring downtown’s busiest intersection with vibrancy and activation at Water and Wisconsin.
The Hop presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, winner of the Enhancing Downtown Connectivity Award, for enhancing the connection between people and places helping create jobs, improve quality of life and add vitality.
Bright Cellars Wine Club, winner of the Downtown Ingenuity Award, for locating their recognizable and fast-growing, data-driven personalized wine subscription service startup in downtown Milwaukee, and for serving as a mentor for other entrepreneurs.
This Is It!, winner of the Night Owl Award, for being a downtown destination celebrating 50 years in the business, making it one of the nation’s longest-running gay bars. This Is It! is expanding its business for the first time since 1969.
Fiserv Forum, winner of the Slam Dunk Award, for creating a multi-purpose arena and home for the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming a game-changer in creating new business and job opportunities and transforming an entire area of downtown.
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Lee Matz
