Spokane, WA
In honor of twenty years of Downtown Spokane, the Downtown Spokane Partnership and Business Improvement District introduced a new award at the 2015 annual meeting held February 18 at the Spokane Convention Center. The Downtown Spokane Legacy Award honors the companies, organizations, or people who’ve left an impact on our city by creating positive and sustainable transformation in downtown.
Recipients represent visionary and creative problem-solving solutions accomplished through grassroots efforts, strong partnerships and innovation. Recipients exemplify exceptional contribution to the business, civic, or human vitality of Downtown Spokane, often becoming the catalyst for other development in the community.
In its inaugural year, three winners were selected, without whose vision the DSP and BID would not be here today. As the three founding board chairs of Downtown Spokane the recipients set in place a legacy for the past twenty years and for the future.
Thomas Barbieri: Barbieri has served as Director of Goodale & Barbieri Company since 1985 and has served as the company’s president since 2006. Tom served as the founding BID Board Co-Chair. Says Tom, “Goodale & Barbieri Company supported the idea of forming the BID from its earliest conception. I hoped and envisioned that through the thoughtful collaboration of the property owners, tenants and the City, we could make downtown Spokane cleaner, safer and more welcoming for all. The results have surpassed my expectations and the continuing improvements in quality and vitality are a most welcome result.”
Larry Soehren: Soehren joined Kiemle & Hagood Company’s Commercial Management Division in 1983, became Director of Commercial Management in 1992, and a full partner in 1996. From 1995 to 1998, Larry served as BID Ratepayer Advisory Board Chair and served on the Downtown Spokane Partnership Board from 1999 to 2011, as the DSP chair the 2001/2002 year. Says Larry, “We should never take downtown’s success for granted. It is, and always will be, a work in progress. We all need to work hard to keep it vibrant, active, and always improving.”
Stacey Cowles: In 1995 as a “young man” Cowles was the catalyst behind the formation of the Downtown Spokane Partnership. Leading the charge to visit neighboring metropolitan cities and explore what had been successful in their revitalization. Says Stacey, “Decay and dissolution have been replaced by renovation, excitement and opportunity — and we’ve built an organization that will continue the momentum forward for decades to come.” Cowles was a visionary leader for 14 total years on the board of the Downtown Spokane Partnership, diligently working as founder and cheerleader for the organization.
Downtown Spokane would like to congratulate and thank this year’s inaugural recipients for their continued support in sustaining the vitality and mission of the organization.
About Downtown Spokane
The DSP is a private, non-profit membership organization that serves as Spokane’s central city advocate and service provider, dedicated to enhancing the quality and vitality of Downtown Spokane as the basis for a healthy region.