Congratulations to the 2015 Downtown Lincoln Impact Award Winners!
Downtown Lincoln Association is pleased to recognize the winners of the 2015 Downtown Impact Awards. The winners were announced at Downtown Lincoln’s Annual Meeting on October 29th. Downtown Lincoln’s Impact Awards recognize businesses or individuals that have made a significant contribution to the area. Nearly 250 people attended the event held at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Six Downtown Impact Awards were given to the following recipients:
Significant Development Award Winner – NEBCO
The origins of 3 Landmark Centre dates back to the late 1920’s when the first parcels of land were acquired by George P. Abel, Sr. In 1964, the City passed a bond issue combining the city of Lincoln and Lancaster county government functions to its present location at 555 S. 10th.
This event triggered a renewed interest by NEBCO in acquiring additional property along Lincoln Mall between the Capitol and the City/County Offices and the construction of 2 Landmark Centre. NEBCO’s 1 Landmark Centre was developed in 2002.
Downtown Business Leadership Award Winner – Lied Center for Performing Arts
The Lied Center opened in 1990 with Opera Omaha’s production of Madama Butterfly, with the mission of bringing the best worldwide entertainment to their stage. Today, under the leadership of Executive Director Bill Stephan, it’s not a stretch to say the Lied has completed their goal of being a premier performing arts center time and time again. From performances by Yo-Yo Ma and Tony Bennett; to the Parsons Dance Company and the Cleveland Orchestra, the Lied Center continues to bring world-renowned theatre and performers to Lincoln.
Residential Development Award Winner – Argent Group & CA Ventures, Latitude
If you’re well acquainted with downtown Lincoln, Block 68 should sound pretty familiar. With long standing as a parking lot, interest in developing the block has been expressed by numerous individuals and groups over the years. But simply taking a quick look at Argent and CA Ventures, and it should come as no surprise that their partnership is the one that produced real results.
With an executive team with more than a hundred years of experience, Argent Group is no stranger to all aspects of real estate development and property management. Similarly, large scale, multi-use facilities is what CA Ventures is all about. Their work can be found in cities like their home base of Chicago, as well as Seattle, Tucson and now Lincoln, Nebraska, among many others.
Downtown Champion – Randy Hawthorne, Nonprofit Hub
Randy has been an integral part of Downtown for decades. After graduating from UNL in 1992, Randy began working at Alphagraphics on the first floor at 14th and P. A few years later, an internet service company that would become Firespring came to be in the basement of 14th and P, where Randy became the Vice President of Business Development. Today, he sits at the top of that building as the executive director of Nonprofit Hub, a place that provides nonprofits with the resources, education and space to grow successfully. Nonprofit hub is one of many ways Randy demonstrates a selfless commitment to the next generation of nonprofit startups.
Young Entrepreneur – Blake Lawrence & Adi Kunalic, Opendorse/Hurrdat
When Blake and Adi first opened Hurrdat in 2010, it became one of the first startups in Lincoln. Five years and a second startup later, it’s one of over a dozen; A testament to their help in developing Lincoln’s startup community. Hurrdat helped create an ecosystem to provide startups with access to founders, accelerators, incubators and more.
In 2013, Adi and Blake joined forces again to create Opendorse, a company that works with professional athletes around the world to develop social media campaigns. In the last two years, Opendorse has established itself as a top tier brand in sports marketing and has further cemented Downtown Lincoln’s role as a major sports tech hub in the United States.
Downtown Visionary – Mike Dunlap, Nelnet
As a co-founder of Nelnet in 1996, the impact of his success is felt throughout Downtown Lincoln and beyond. For a company that has grown in just the last 5 years from 700 employees to over 2000, Nelnet associates are located in the Lincoln Square Buildings, which Nelnet purchased in 2006, and in the Wells Fargo building.
And true to Mike’s vision for the company and for Downtown, he has recently partnered with developers to create buildings and office space for his associates in the new Hudl building development in the Haymarket and the recently announced Telegraph District development in Antelope Valley.
Founded in 1967, the Downtown Lincoln Association provides services and champions initiatives for maintaining and enhancing our vibrant downtown. Our vision is to create an energetic downtown environment where we live, learn, work, invest and play. DLA has evolved into a multi-faceted organization supporting a wide range of programs and activities including maintenance, economic development and advocacy.
For a complete listing of downtown businesses, events and residences visit downtownlincoln.org. ‘Like’ us on Facebook at facebook.com/downtownlincoln.