DDA honors downtown champions
The annual December Awards Celebration is held at the City Auditorium on Friday.
The Rome Downtown Development Authority hosted its annual awards ceremony Friday morning to honor, in the words of Board Chairman Steven McDowell, “The champions of downtown.”
With $2 million being dedicated to River District streetscape projects in the 2017 special purpose, local option sales tax package, the community members who worked to piece it together were honored at the Downtown Awards Celebration. The SPLOST Citizens Advisory Committee was the recipient of the Quality of Life Award, with member Ghee Wilson accepting the award.
In his opening remarks, McDowell touched on what the future holds for the River District, as it is further developed to connect to downtown and to become an integral part in making Rome “a true work, live, play community.”
“We’re really fortunate we didn’t tear it all down and put up strip malls,” he said of the River District, which is a top priority for the DDA in the new year.
Developers Ira and Libby Levy received the Golden Nail Award for their work in renovating a building at 527-529 Broad St. The building was home to the Adams-Andrews Motor Co. in the 1930s and was acquired by Atlanta Gas Light Co. in the late 1950s.
The first floor now houses Higher Ground USA, a Christian-based outdoor adventure nonprofit, along with offices of the Northwest Georgia Center for Independent Living.
In addition, there are seven apartments on the second level.
DDA board member Ann Pullen emphasized the Levys’ dedication to retaining the historic elements of the building, including the automobile dealership sign above the building’s transom windows.
Elizabeth “Libby” Gore was recognized with the Volunteer of the Year Award for her energetic and outgoing spirit in assisting the DDA promotions committee in the planning of Fiddlin’ Fest Between the Rivers, said DDA board member David Prusakowski.
“Our winner embodies the downtown spirit,” Prusakowski said.
Miniyar’s International Food Court, the latest addition to the Cotton Block, was cause for local pediatrician Dr. Raj Miniyar to be honored with the Economic Partnership Award.
Board member Steve White said the building at 114 Broad St. that Miniyar developed for the food court includes four restaurants and eight residential units, and represents revitalization efforts to the Cotton Block.