The 2011 Downtown Impact Awards were announced today at DLA’s Annual Meeting. DLA’s Impact Awards recognize businesses or individuals that have made a significant contribution to downtown Lincoln. The five Downtown Impact Awards were given to the following recipients:

Significant Development

Salvation Army Building

Over the course of late 2010 and 2011, Speedway has brought a rejuvenated vitality back to the historic buildings located on 8th and P by ushering in seven new tenants who possess the upbeat and innovative qualities needed to succeed in today’s business world.

Nebraska Global, a venture capital fund seeking to develop local software companies, moved into the complex in late 2010.  They have since attracted four additional tenants to the complex. Don’t Panic Labs, an innovation and technology company, was the first of these tenants to join Nebraska Global in late 2010.  Next was Jacht Club, a student-run advertising agency that provides students the opportunity to work with real clients and to develop and execute strategies based on principles learned at the university. Other tenants that moved in this year include financial service company EC3H and ICORA, an independent software vendor.

In addition to these office tenants, two new retail tenants opened this year on the 1st floor of the complex.  Frozen yogurt franchise Cherry on Top, which opened in August, and seafood restaurant Dozo Sushi Grill & Lounge, which is set to open within the next week.
Businesses that moved into the complex prior to this year include Scooter’s Coffeehouse, who opened in 2006, HDR and the UNL College of Architecture Health Care Design Studio, who opened in 2009, and computer software developer Hudl, who relocated to the complex in 2010 and expanded their space in 2011.

Speedway has invested roughly $4.5 million in the redevelopment of these buildings since purchasing them in 2003 from the Salvation Army.  Renovations have included the installation of a whole new mechanical and electrical infrastructure, new windows and storefronts, a new elevator, a new roof deck, and the stripping of all existing interior finishes to restore the buildings to their original character.

Business Leadership

Broadcast House

In cooperation with GoLincolnGo and DLA, Broadcast House played an instrumental role in the success of this year’s Celebrate Lincoln Festival. Through their poised and diligent efforts in event management, Broadcast House allowed Celebrate Lincoln to make overwhelming strides in both attendance and profitable outcome.

With their assistance in acquiring nationally known musical acts, the company has infused new life in Celebrate Lincoln and has solidified it as one of the city’s most anticipated events of the year.
The success of Celebrate Lincoln is just one example of the company’s affinity for community support. They also have a hand in the promotion of Lincoln Cares, a community donation program through LES to fund projects not in the city budget.

Broadcast House has shown their penchant for supporting the cultural and economic growth of the downtown area through their on-air promotion of countless downtown events, as well as live broadcasts from dozens of downtown locations each year.

Broadcast House continues to be the archetype of leadership through their spirited involvement in events across the city and through their propensity to regularly take the initiatives needed to better our community.

Young Entrepreneur

Matel Rokke

Years ago, Matel had envisioned herself opening her own store and becoming a part of the budding shopping district downtown. Her vision became a reality when she and her sister Scoie Loop opened Tsuru, a women’s clothing and accessories boutique, in the summer of 2007.

Matel’s proven business methods and fervent customer relationships developed over the last four years have propelled her store to the forefront of the downtown retail district.

With the help of family, friends and loyal customers, Matel and Scoie have created a boutique that now serves as an inspiration for many young entrepreneurs in the downtown area and has helped bolster the notion that downtown is a vibrant place to shop.

Tsuru has adorned the Lincoln community with clothing, jewelry and accessories as elegant and beautiful as the store’s name. Taking its name from the Japanese crane, the tsuru is considered a symbol of good luck and longevity.

Downtown Champion

Kent Seacrest

Kent Seacrest has contributed to countless development projects in the downtown area and has proved himself to be one of the most pre-eminent legal minds for urban development in the state. Through his diligence and tactfulness, Kent has helped strengthen the vitality of downtown and has preserved the area’s vision for the future.

Projects he’s been involved with include the Cornhusker Hotel Office Building and Parking Garage, Centerstone, and the Haymarket redevelopment plan among others. Current downtown projects that Kent is a part of include Urban 38, West Haymarket, the Marriot Hotel, and the redevelopment of the Color Court building.

Kent has been also involved with the 2015 Vision Team, a group of community leaders and Lincoln citizens that have sought out ten development projects to be initiated by 2015, including the eight downtown projects and other sister projects to downtown such as Nebraska Innovation Campus and the Antelope Valley Project.

Downtown Visionary

Anne Burkholder

Nearly 25 years ago, Anne purchased the old Woods Brothers building at 7th and P with a comprehensive plan for its redevelopment. She conceived of a place where artists of all types and backgrounds could reside under one roof and display their work in several gallery spaces throughout the building. This vision would eventually come to be known as The Burkholder Project.

Today, the renovated building houses 32 studios, three major galleries and a sample gallery comprised of work from 40 associated artists across the country. Since it opened in 1987, the Burkholder Project has been home to over 125 artists, potters, writers, teachers, photographers, weavers, quilters, jewelry makers and musicians, and has even inspired the City of Lincoln to designate the Haymarket as a fine arts area.

In addition to the Burkholder Project, Anne has helped establish First Friday Artwalks as the premier artist exhibition event in Lincoln. The monthly artwalk began in 1988 when she sent out invitations to every gallery downtown, encouraging each of them to participate in a common gallery walk on the first Friday of every month. Today, the artwalk has grown to include over 50 participating downtown galleries and businesses and remains one of the largest downtown events each month.