The Downtown San Diego Partnership held its 53rd Annual Alonzo Awards Dinner on October 14, 2015. The Alonzo Awards are designed to recognize people, places, and projects responsible for fueling Downtown’s revitalization with innovative programs and projects. The awards are named after Alonzo Horton, considered the father of modern San Diego. The Downtown Partnership celebrates the best of Downtown and highlights the importance of a vibrant urban core for the entire region.
The award winners for 2015 are:
- Sustainable Business Practices Award - BRIDGE Housing’s Celadon at 9th & Broadway: The affordable housing project features best-in-class environmental design, a 143-foot-tall photovoltaic system, a 2,400-gallon rooftop solar water heating system, eco-roof, drought-tolerant landscaping, and encourages residents to reduce their carbon footprint by limiting car trips.
- Vic Kops Humanitarian Award - The San Diego Meal Service Program: A coalition of community leaders led by Cox Communications, Father Joe's Villages, The Rock Church and Loving Spoonfuls created a volunteer web portal and public service campaign to communicate and coordinate services for Downtown’s homeless population.
- Build Your Business Award - Cisterra Development: Responsible for the development of Sempra Energy's new 16-story facility located in East Village, which includes 330,000 sq. ft. of office space, 500 parking spaces, green features designed for LEED Gold certification, and has brought new life into the streets of East Village with its more than 700 employees frequenting local businesses.
- Made to Move Award - San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA): With a series of capital improvements at San Diego International Airport, SDCRAA is making it easier to access the airport and its services while reducing traffic flow on surrounding roadways.
- Innovation Award - Fab Lab: A nonprofit makerspace with more than $100k worth of equipment, low cost workshops and STEM curriculum, enabling Fab Lab to position Downtown as a hub for innovation.
- Downtown Hero Award - Downtown Partnership’s Clean & Safe program: Working around the clock for the past 15 years to provide enhanced safety and maintenance services and a beautification program, the City of San Diego and thousands of property owners overwhelmingly supported its renewal through to 2025.
- Make Your Place Award - Urban Discovery Academy: Downtown’s first K-8 charter school in the heart of I.D.E.A District represents more than 450 students from around the region and features state-of-the-art amenities, a rooftop playground with Downtown views, and a design that combines the renovation of an existing classic structure with new construction designed to inject modern, architectural elements into the East Village streetscape.
- Founder’s Award - Sempra Energy: Accentuating the Downtown skyline and elevating employment culture in East Village, more than 800 employees work to develop energy infrastructure from their new 300,000-square-foot facility located in the Ballpark District.
- Volunteer of the Year Award - David Hazan: As the co-founder of the East Village Business Improvement District and a vocal community champion, David has left an indelible mark on East Village and Downtown.
Kris Michell, President and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, said, “Tonight’s honorees are playing a leading role in Downtown’s ongoing renewal. We are thrilled to recognize them.” The event was held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, with the reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m.
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