2015 Downtown NOLA Award Nominations
On Friday, September 11, 2015, the Downtown Development District (DDD) will celebrate the 2015 Downtown NOLA Award honorees during a vibrant luncheon at the Astor Crowne Plaza. After much deliberation, the awards committee narrowed numerous worthy nominations to six amazing honorees. Created by the DDD, the Downtown NOLA Awards were created to commend the accomplishments of exceptional residents, businesses, employees and organizations who have made a positive impact on the Downtown New Orleans neighborhood. Join us to help celebrate these unique people and places who have helped make our neighborhood what it is today.
Honorees:
Pres Kabacoff
Nominated by Ryan Bordenave
Chief Executive Officer of HRI Properties, Pres Kabacoff holds a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University Law Center and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Denver. He also serves on several local boards including the Research Council of New Orleans, the New Orleans Police Foundation, MetroVision Executive Committee and Dillard University. Founded in 1982, HRI Properties is dedicated to rebuilding neighborhoods and recreating communities all across the country. In New Orleans, their projects include the redevelopment of 225 Baronne, the Hibernia Tower, Gravier Place, the Hyatt French Quarter, Federal Fibre Mills and the Cotton Mill.
Lafayette Square Conservancy
Nominated by Sally Shushan
In partnership with the New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways, the Lafayette Square Conservancy is dedicated to both preserving and improving this beautiful park, which serves as an urban oasis to residents, area office employees and visitors. Created in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, the Lafayette Square Conservancy has undertaken much-needed repairs, added unique sculptures and park benches, fertilized the oak trees, installed seasonal annuals, lighting and more. The maintenance and improvement of Lafayette Square has improved the beauty and quality of life in Downtown New Orleans.
LIV? New Orleans
Nominated by Ryan Bordenave
Aiding the efforts to improve Canal Street, LIV? New Orleans, a fashion-forward, men’s clothing boutique, opened in late June 2015, replacing a run-down cellular electronics store inside the historic Leon Fellman Building. LIV? has a modern design that still respects the original architectural elements of the structure’s interior. Offering brands like G Star Raw, Nudie Denim, French Connection and Del Toro Shoes, LIV? evokes a big city, Manhattan feel here in the deep South.
Michael Manjarris of the Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition
Presented by The Helis Foundation
Nominated by Andrew Freeman
Since it was founded in 2013, the Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition has installed 22 intriguing sculptures along Poydras Street. The sculptures were created by acclaimed local and international artists and, thanks to the generous underwriting by The Helis Foundation, not a penny of taxpayer funds have been spent on the exhibition. The Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition is a constantly rotating display that features exquisite sculptures that enhance the Poydras Street neutral ground from Convention Center Boulevard all the way to the Interstate.
The National WWII Museum
Gordon “Nick” Mueller & Stephen E. Ambrose
Nominated by Kurt Weigle
Although it opened as the D-Day Museum in June 2000, The National WWII Museum was renamed in 2003 when it was declared the country’s official center for chronicling the detailed history of WWII, and it has continued to grow and improve since. The museum is the city’s #1 “single-point” attraction that exceeds visitors expectations with quality architecture, innovative exhibit design and operation, and exceptional amenities. Additionally, the National WWII Museum evokes those core American values, such as courage, strength, innovation and freedom, that enrich the Downtown New Orleans experience as a whole.
Q&C Hotel/Bar
Nominated by Natalia Matallana
After changing hands for many years, the historic Queen & Crescent Hotel on the corner of bustling Camp Street was purchased in 2013 by Northview Hotel Group and received a full interior renovation designed to honor the history and integrity of the building, while still offering a hip style with modern amenities. The Q&C Hotel/Bar, in partnership with local marketing firm RapJab, was also prudently re-branded to focus on specialized concierge services dedicated to introducing adventurous guests to some of the city’s most distinctive and unusual experiences.