June 2007

Ann Steiger-McClelland named “2006 Downtowner of the Year”

The Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership with the help of Washington Trust Bank held its annual Downtowner Banquet on Tuesday May 22^nd at the Clover Island Inn. About 100 people were on hand to see Ann Steiger-McClelland honored as the 18th recipient of the "Downtowner of the Year" Award.  Barb Carter, last year's recipient, presented Ann with this year's award.

The "Downtowner of the Year" award honors a person who has been instrumental in promoting the improvement of the downtown area over a number of years.  Ann Steiger-McClelland has been involved in the downtown revitalization for a number of years starting with the restoration of the PJ Murphy Building at 101 W Kennewick the home of the Roxy Antiques and Gifts and “Coffee at the Roxy”, in addition to Ivory Jazz Club. Ann has been involved in a number of promotions in the downtown area. Ann operates the Kennewick Avenue Farmers Market.

 

Other honors during the evening included naming Gary Hall as the 2006 recipient of the “Ralph and Jo Benton Volunteer of the Year” Award for his of service and dedication to downtown efforts.  This award recognizes the contributions of an individual through the course of a year.  Gary has served as President of the Board for the past year and a half assisting in a number of projects during that time. Gary has been vital in the implementation of Directional Signage for Historic Downtown Kennewick.

 

The City of Kennewick 's Block Grant Advisory Committee presented two awards at the banquet recognizing excellence in the Downtown’s Revitalization. Doug Overturf received the 2006 Revitalization Award for his remodel of Overturf Motors at 1016 W Columbia Drive . Doug’s restoration inside and out at a cost of over $1.6 million of private investment.

The second award for restoration went to Vic Albertson and Chuck Scribner of Players Sports Bar & Grill for the façade improvement and the interior restoration. Vic Albertson and Chuck Scribner with the assisted of HDKP Façade Improvement Program spent over $100k in the restoration of the worst bar on Kennewick Avenue to create a neighborhood friendly sports bar

The Partnership also honored at the banquet Cleve Mooers of HPM Corporation and Dr. H. Matt Smith for their contribution to the downtown revitalization process through the Main Street tax Credit bill.                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleve Mooers & Laura Mills              Dr. H Matt Smith   
      HPM Corporation