The International Downtown Association (IDA) has recognized Uptown Columbus Incorporated, with the Downtown Achievement Pinnacle Award for its work and initiatives to Reclaim, Restore, and Repurpose the Chattahoochee River in Columbus. 

 Each year, IDA recognizes outstanding projects as winners of the Downtown Achievement Awards which identify advances in urban centers by organizations world-wide. The industry’s highest recognition, the Pinnacle Award, represents the most inspiring innovations in urban place management. This year’s projects were awarded by a jury of IDA members in the following categories: leadership development; organizational management; economic development; marketing, communications and events; planning, design and infrastructure; policy and advocacy; and public space management and operations. Uptown’s River Project won in the Planning, Design and Infrastructure category.

 “This is an amazing honor for the community and our visionary volunteers, philanthropists, supporters, and staff,” said Ed Wolverton, President and CEO of Uptown Columbus.  “In addition to transforming Uptown Columbus and the entire community with the start of the whitewater operations in 2013, Uptown’s leadership leveraged the River Project for a decade to attract new investment, outdoor amenities, visitors, and events, culminating with the 2023 World Freestyle Kayaking Championship,” he said.

 “Uptown Columbus Incorporated’s innovative project received the IDA Pinnacle Award for setting the new standard for improving cities around the world,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “The River Project has made an impact on its community and the people who live, work and play there, and is evidence of the continued commitment to champion livable, vital and thriving urban centers.”

 Washington, DC-based IDA is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Uptown Columbus Inc., and the Business Improvement District are the urban place management organization representing the interests of property owners in Columbus.

 IDA will convene this month for a three-day conference themed Inspiring Innovation & Impact, to discuss emerging trends in place management. Uptown Columbus, Inc., will be recognized for their award-winning project during the Downtown Achievement Awards ceremony at the 70th Annual Conference & Marketplace, September 11-13, 2024. For more information about the session and conference, please visit the event webpage. IDA’s Annual Conference & Marketplace is the premier gathering for professional place managers and urban champions creating vibrant and healthy cities around the world. The conference features educational sessions, Master Talks (short keynotes from industry leaders), marketplace exhibitors and networking opportunities.

 IDA’s members have a proven track record of creating collaborative public-private partnerships to tackle weighty issues. More than 2,500 downtown management districts exist in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Place management organizations affect significant change in every major metropolitan area throughout North America in an industry that is growing rapidly around the globe. Place management work touches every discipline of city building, including economic development, leadership, marketing, events, public space management, policy, planning and infrastructure.

 Additional information on the Pinnacle award winners can be found online at downtown.org in early October.