4th Annual Momentum Awards to Celebrate Downtown Clearwater Renaissance

The Clearwater Downtown Partnership (CDP) will produce and Ruth Eckerd Hall will present the 4^thAnnual Momentum Awards on Wednesday, May 25^th beginning at 6:00 pm in the Atrium Lobby, 601 Cleveland Street.  The Keynote Speaker will be David Allbritton, Chairman of the Downtown Development Board.  Clearwater Vice Mayor George Cretekos, will give the “State of Downtown” update.  Complimentary food will be provided by several Downtown Clearwater restaurants. Contributing sponsors are KnowBe4 and the Water’s Edge Condominium.

What was once seen as a dead district has been experiencing new growth and revitalization. The awards celebrate the “momentum” that is occurring in Downtown Clearwater, as the district continues to experience new growth and life. Since last year’s Momentum Awards, Downtown Clearwater has seen:

·         4^th Friday expanding into Blast Friday, taken over by Ruth Eckerd Hall, and continuing to draw big crowds to the Cleveland Street District the last Friday of every month

·         Clearwater Fashion and Arts Week beginning a movement to draw more arts and cultural actives into Downtown Clearwater

·         The production of Dolphin Tale, a soon to be released major motion picture, setting up camp in the Harborview Center

·         The grand re-opening of Water’s Edge, resulting in over 50% of the building selling in less than one year.

·         The completion and grand opening of the Clearwater Harbor Marina

·         The opening of many new businesses including: Casanova Restaurant and Lounge, Hispania Tapas Bar & Cafe, The Blue Dahlia Marketplace, the Olive Tree and Café 421

·         The expansion of several Downtown Clearwater businesses, including Peter Gillham’s Nutrition Center (now Green Organic Food and Wine Bar) and Tony’s Pizzeria and Ristorante

·         “Coming soon” signs hanging in several windows, signifying more Downtown businesses on the way

The Momentum Awards acknowledge businesses, organizations, individuals, and projects that have made significant contributions toward creating a unique, vibrant and diverse downtown with lasting, positive impacts on the community. These awards have become an area wide recognized event of downtown Clearwater achievement.

Award categories are:  

• Most Improved Property Award -- The exterior and/or interior of a completed downtown project that significantly contributes to the beauty, livability, uniqueness and/or attraction of visitors.
• Dwight Matheny Individual Contribution Award -- An individual who exemplifies going above and beyond to make downtown a better place to live, work, invest or visit, just like the CDP’s inaugural former Chairman.
• Sustainability Awards (2): Retail & Office – A retail or restaurant business and a professional office that has shown incredible staying power through the multitude of downtown and economic challenges that has evolved over the past several years.
• Best/Most Creative Marketing Plan Award – A business that has shown outstanding creativity and tenacity in utilizing marketing techniques to bring customers in their doors and to the downtown corridor.
• Humanitarian Award - An individual or group who chooses to improve the lives of others in the general downtown area.

To RSVP for the award ceremony, contact Vice Chair Howard Warshauer at (727) 442-7411.

About the CDP:

The Clearwater Downtown Partnership, creators of the original 4^th Friday - now Blast Friday - is an independent voice of citizens, business, and property owners who are interested in supporting the economic vitality of Downtown Clearwater.  It brings stakeholders together to develop, advocate and implement policies that build an exciting, vibrant and diverse downtown, and plays an essential role in keeping the business and residential community educated, informed and involved in the continued success of the downtown.  Membership donations will go directly towards projects that will create tangible result in downtown.  For more information or to become a member, visit www.clwdp.org

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