International downtown association selects Oklahoma City as winner

(September 15, 2009) –  The City of Oklahoma City received the Pinnacle Award Sunday for its strategic plan and related accomplishments along the Oklahoma River corridor from the International Downtown Association (IDA).  The award is the IDA’s highest honor.

The River Corridor project was one of 77 award submissions IDA received this year as part of its Downtown Achievement Awards. “The number and breadth of entries made judging a difficult task,” said Jane Jenkins, chairman of IDA and the awards program.  “The awards jury was impressed with the accomplishments of the winners and are pleased to honor the City of Oklahoma City among them.”  

 

The North Canadian River Corridor Strategic Action and Development Plan is Oklahoma City’s 10-year plan to transform the North Canadian River from a floodplain to a sustainable urban waterfront.  The plan demonstrates innovation in funding and an ability to focus on revitalizing the downtown core and the Oklahoma River.  

 

Job creation has exceeded 2,500 in the plan corridor.  Beautification and conservation efforts include the planting of over 8,000 trees and the development of five wetland areas.  To date, the plan has stimulated hundreds of millions of dollars of private investment commitments along the corridor.

 

“We are thrilled that the Oklahoma River development program has received such a high honor from the IDA,” said Pat Downes, who serves as the River Authority’s economic development director.  “The award validates the confidence our citizens have placed in the leadership of this community, all of whom have worked tirelessly to reclaim the river as a valued community asset.

The 2009 Downtown Achievement Award winners were recognized during IDA’s 55th Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 11-15, 2009. 

Founded in 1954, the International Downtown Association has more than 650 member organizations worldwide including: North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Through our network of committed individuals, rich body of knowledge and unique capacity to nurture community-building partnerships, IDA is a guiding force in creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well being of towns, cities and regions of the world.