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Tampa Downtown Partnership Receives International Recognition for Excellence in Urban Place Management
Tampa Downtown Partnership receives award for work with Downtowner program
SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 25, 2018) – The Tampa Downtown Partnership is proud to announce that they have been chosen as the recipient of the International Downtown Association’s 2018 Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for its work and initiatives related to the Downtowner ride program operating within Tampa’s Special Services District. The award was presented on Thursday, October 25thduring the International Downtown Association’s (IDA) 64th Annual Conference and Tradeshow in San Antonio, Texas.
“We are honored to receive such a prestigious award,” said Lynda Remund, Acting President and CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership. “The International Downtown Association sets the standard for excellence in our industry and we couldn’t be more pleased that the judges recognize the work we are doing in Tampa’s Downtown goes beyond those standards.”
The Award of Excellence acknowledges an exceptional response to an industry challenge and exceeds criteria set by a panel of industry-leading judges. Downtowner’s mobility service in Tampa’s Downtown was among ten qualified entries in the category of Leadership and Management. The category features unique organizational approaches and projects that improve the effectiveness of downtown management organizations and their role in the community.
“With the support of all our wonderful public and private partnerships the Downtowner was able to come to Tampa and change the way people think about getting around Downtown,” said Karen Kress, Director of Transportation and Planning for the Tampa Downtown Partnership. “Downtowner’s success is truly a collaborative effort and we’re proud to have been the catalyst to provide a micro transit solution in our Downtown.”
“Tampa Downtown Partnership’s project with Downtowner received the IDA Award of Excellence for uniquely implementing best practice in urban place management,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “The Downtowner is a shining example of excellent urban place management delivering real value to the city and an exemplary response to a community challenge.”
“Tampa Downtown Partnership is committed to making Tampa’s Downtown a fun and exciting place to live work and play,” said Kress. “We understand that part of the experience is offering many choices to get around Downtown. This micro-transit service compliments the other options such as ride-sharing, biking, walking, and taking the streetcar or city bus.” Kress continued, “We’re proud of our involvement in making this transportation option happen for our Downtown and look forward to seeing how it will evolve.”
The app-based, on-demand ride service is powered by 100% electric vehicles and is the first of its kind in Downtown Tampa, moving over 500 riders per day since it launched in October 2016. Growing ridership in the first year of the program led Downtowner to launch new tech advances and improve and increase its fleet of vehicles.
“There’s so much going on, and the city and ridership has been so strong and supportive, we can’t wait to keep improving the way people move around downtown,” said Stephen Murray, CEO of Downtowner. “There are lots of people and organizations to thank for making this program a success, but we’d like to especially thank the Tampa Downtown Partnership.”
Washington, DC-based IDA is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Tampa Downtown Partnership is the urban place management organization representing the interests of property owners in Tampa, Florida and is a member of IDA.
Karen Kress, Director of Transportation and Planning with the Tampa Downtown Partnership, and Travis Gleason, Co-Founder of Downtowner, accept the award of Excellence at the International Downtown Association’s 64th Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
About Tampa Downtown Partnership
Tampa Downtown Partnership is a private, membership based not-for-profit 501(c)(6) comprised of companies, organizations and individuals with a common goal of advancing Tampa’s Downtown. Through an annual contract with the City of Tampa, Tampa Downtown Partnership administers the Special Services District. In addition to Tampa’s Downtown Guides and Clean Team, Tampa Downtown Partnership serves downtown through marketing, business development, transportation, advocacy, public space activation, planning and beautification.
About Downtowner
Downtowner uses predictive routing technology and real-time demand analytics to deploy smarter transit in dense downtown areas. The company provides cities with a mirco-transit solution that bridges gaps in existing transit lines, eases parking demands, and improves overall mobility. Downtowner currently operates in 5 cities nationwide and uses 100% electric vehicles.
About IDA
The International Downtown Association is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Our members are city builders and downtown champions who bring urban centers to life, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. We represent an industry of more than 2,500 place management organizations, employing 100,000 people throughout North America and growing rapidly around the world. Founded in 1954, IDA is a resource center for ideas and innovative best practices in urban place management. For more information, visit downtown.org.
