IDA Presents Pinnacle Award Recognizing DTP Connects Program
IDA Presents Pinnacle Award Recognizing DTP Connects Program
Downtown Tucson, AZ, November 1, 2018 – The International Downtown Association (IDA) recognized Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) with the Pinnacle Award, the industry’s highest honor, for the DTP Connects homeless outreach program. This award recognizes improvements to urban centers by dedicated organizations from around the globe, representing the most creative and inspiring innovations in urban place management.
IDA received a record-breaking number of submissions in 2018 as urban areas around the world experience a remarkable renaissance. Winning organizations represent cities in the U.S., Canada, U.K., New Zealand and South Africa. The top eight projects received Pinnacle Awards. These organizations are on the front lines of solving challenges related to place based economic development and making cities vibrant. The winning projects are selected from six categories, including downtown leadership and management; economic and business development; events and programming; marketing and communications; planning; and public space.
“These innovative projects set the new standard for improving cities worldwide,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “IDA members continue to champion livable, vital and thriving urban centers. Each award-winning project has made a demonstrable impact on its city and the people who live, work and play in the urban center.”
The DTP Connects program, in partnership with Old Pueblo Community Services (OPCS) utilizes the Housing First model. Onsite interviews and assessments are provided daily by a dedicated community engagement specialist in Downtown parks and on the streets via a DTP Connects mobile unit.
“Through DTP Connects, 84 individuals experiencing homelessness were connected with housing in three short months and a homeless encampment was completely transformed into a vibrant public plaza enjoyed by all. By collaborating with various organizations in the Tucson area, we are reducing homelessness in our city,” stated Kathleen Eriksen, President and CEO of the Downtown Tucson Partnership.
Washington, DC-based IDA is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Downtown Tucson Partnership is the urban place management organization representing the interests of property owners in Downtown Tucson and is a member of IDA.
IDA’s members have a proven track record of creating collaborative public-private partnerships to tackle weighty issues. More than 2,500 downtown management districts exist in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Place management organizations affect significant change in every major metropolitan area throughout North America in an industry that is growing rapidly around the globe. Place management work touches every discipline of city building, including economic development, leadership, marketing, events, public space management, policy, planning and infrastructure.
The 2018 Downtown Achievement Awards are sponsored by ABM, Inc. A complete list of award winners is available online at www.downtown.org.
The Downtown Tucson Partnership is committed to being the catalyst for making Downtown Tucson the place people want to live, work, and play; where new ideas happen; and that is the economic development and cultural epicenter of the region. More information about the Downtown Tucson Partnership can be found here.
DTP Media Contact: Zach Baker, Marketing and Communications Manager
520.268.9034, zach@downtowntucson.org