Nominations are open now through Aug. 4 for the annual Downtown KC Awards, which salute business owners and community leaders who have helped transform downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
The awards program is presented by the Downtown Council. And there are two categories where members of the public can submit nominations:
The Urban Hero Award
This honor goes to an individual or a small business that has made downtown a better place to work, live and play. A few winners will be selected. Judges are especially looking for unsung or grassroots nominees.
Last year’s winners included Deb Churchill, Andrew Bracker, Julie Nelson Meers, Vince Bryant and Matt Staub.
You can make a nomination here.
The J. Philip Kirk Jr. Award in Honor of Community Vision and Downtown Stewardship
The Kirk Award is presented to a civic leader who has helped make revitalization efforts possible in downtown Kansas City.
The recipient must have contributed in at least two of the following ways, according to the Downtown Council’s site:
- Created a capital investment, new building, renovation or technology.
- Increased the downtown resident or employee population, business starts or entrepreneurial retail starts.
- Improved downtown neighborhoods and quality of life, in the area of businesses, housing, streetscape or the urban environment.
- Displayed a continued commitment to improving the social fabric of Downtown Kansas City.
Last year’s winner was Al Mauro Sr. You can nominate someone for the Kirk Award at this site.
The winners of the Downtown KC Awards will be recognized during the Downtown Council’s annual luncheon in January.
If you want to know more about the awards program, contact Julie Shippy at jules@downtownkc.org or Ann Holliday at ann@downtownkc.org.
