Four Downtown Long Beach business leaders and organizations will be recognized later this month at the Spirit of Downtown awards, the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) announced on Monday.
The award ceremony first began three years ago and honored four people who died in 2012, including Long Beach Post founder Shaun Lumachi; former editor of the Press Telegram, Larry Allison; volunteer and “redevelopment master,” Bill Baker; and Mark Bixby, former DLBA director and “Long Beach’s bicycling guru, who largely headed the creation of our City’s massive biking infrastructure and culture,” said DLBA spokesman Brian Addison.
This year’s event, slated for February 19, will honor Giovanna Ferraro, owner of Groundwork Fitness; Mary Coburn, outgoing operations manager at the DLBA; City Fabrick Founder and Executive Director Brian Ulaszewski; and the organization Friends of Lincoln Park.
“Beginning with the DLBA’s former State of the Downtown event, which had a very corporate approach that featured sponsored tables and keynote speakers such as Robert Kennedy Jr. and Richard Florida, our Celebrate Downtown event has transitioned organically with the evolution of our organization and the community to fit with what our mission is—not only creating a better Downtown, but honoring it,” said Kraig Kojian, President and CEO of the DLBA in a statement. “The celebration harkens to the spirit of those four individuals and their visions for what Long Beach could be, which is precisely why we are hosting it in Lincoln Park. Changes—massive ones—are occurring there and those changes will only grow in magnitude as the new Civic Center moves forward.”
Kojian said the DLBA has invited Plenary-Edgemoor Civic Partners (PECP), the development team behind the new civic center, to the event.
“This year’s Celebrate Downtown is about raising a glass as much as it is raising discussion,” Kojian said. “The Civic Center is the public’s living room and by partnering in the visioning process, we enhance this incredible opportunity. PECP has opened their door, inviting the public to use their voice—so we want to let Downtown know that we are encouraging residents and stakeholders to walk through that door to help lead the charge.”
Pier 76 Fish Grill, Rock Bottom Brewery and the Sky Room will cater the event, while various musicians that are part of the DLBAs Live After 5 will perform.
The event will take place on February 19 from 5:00PM to 9:00PM in Lincoln Park, located in the area of Broadway Street and Pacific Avenue. Admission is free, but space is limited and an RSVP is required by emailing [email protected] or by calling 562-436-4259.