The big picture: Downtown Brainerd achievements honored
2008 Downtown Brainerd Awards
Individual and team efforts, part of the big picture of a revitalized downtown Brainerd, were recognized Tuesday during an awards presentation and dinner at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd..
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"It's a thrill to have so many present," said Stella Hegg, Brainerd Restoration president, commenting on a large turnout to honor individual achievements. "We celebrate how well you have improved our common destiny."
The 2008 Downtown Brainerd Awards, presented by Brainerd Restoration and the Brainerd Main Street Program, highlighted the individual efforts both in front and behind the scenes.
John Person (left), one of the key coordinators for the renovation at the First Lutheran Church in Brainerd, smiled Tuesday as Stella Hegg, Brainerd Restoration president, presented a 2008 Downtown Brainerd Award to church Senior Pastor Andy Smith during the awards dinner at the church.
Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
The award praised The Bead Box for what it called an inspiring and eye-catching storefront renovation. Brainerd Eyecare Center's renovation, in what was once a Brainerd bus depot, was recognized for its expansion downtown in a flowing and coordinated design when others have moved out for such projects. The Great River Door Co. was commended for moving into downtown when a place closer to a major highway or an industrial park may have been other options. First Lutheran Church was commended for its commitment to serve others as its extensive expansion created a gathering place for its congregation and the community.
Hegg quoted a saying - as one generation plants a tree another generation gets the shade. The work to establish a rain garden by the Crow Wing County Judicial Center was recognized as an environmentally responsible project and as one that brings greenery to a developed area. The Brainerd School District was noted for its community homecoming celebration that incorporated the downtown area.
Award winners
Store front renovation, main street - The Bead Box.
Building renovation, main street - Brainerd Eyecare.
Building addition and renovation that led to redevelopment - First Lutheran Church.
The Spirit of Environment Stewardship in Renovation - Rain Garden Project, Crow Wing County Extension, Regional Extension, the Master Gardener program and the Crow Wing County Board.
Team Vision & Leadership Award, Main Street Program - The Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Brainerd Economic Development Agency, the city of Brainerd, Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corp.
The Spirit of Economic Development - Great River Door Co.
The Spirit of Community & Celebration - Brainerd Public Schools community homecoming.
Vision, Leadership & Fortitude Award - John Erickson.
And John Erickson, long-time proponent of the downtown revitalization efforts and an early leader in Brainerd Restoration, was awarded for his efforts.
"We are what we build," Erickson said. "A community, however it is defined, ... needs a gathering place."
The downtown master plan for a town square would provide a gathering place where people could walk and have a sense of community, Erickson said.
In addition to the individual work, team efforts were noted, such as the combined work of the Main Street Program with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Brainerd's economic development agency, city of Brainerd and the Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corp.
The 2008 Downtown Brainerd Awards, presented by Brainerd Restoration and the Brainerd Main Street Program, highlighted the individual efforts both in front and behind the scenes.
Dan Vogt, Brainerd city administrator, spoke for the group receiving the Team Vision and Leadership Award, saying he was proud to be part of the effort.
"They truly never say 'I', it's always 'We,'" Vogt said.
Looking toward the street and streetscape reconstruction project for downtown Brainerd, Vogt said 70 percent will be paid by the taxpayers and 30 percent assessed to downtown property owners in what is expected to be a long-term gain.
"We hope we will continue to be able to work together as a team and move, not only the downtown, but the city forward," Vogt said.
The First Lutheran Church in Brainerd received an award for Building Addition and Renovation that led to Redevelopment Tuesday at the 2008 Downtown Brainerd Awards dinner in the church.» Purchase reprints of this photo.
Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Hegg combined inspirational quotations with each nomination as she presented the awards. Brainerd, she said, was the heart of the lakes area and downtown was the heart of the city. The space where people live and work can profoundly shape how people think, Hegg said. The storefront renovations, holiday decorations, bike trail and decorative lighting and upcoming streetscape reconstruction are were examples of work being done in the downtown area.
Hegg said Brainerd Restoration's goal it to have a vital, attractive and dynamic place to live and work. The work can only be done when it is shared by many, she added.
Emily Roragen, Main Street coordinator, said the Main Street program - a cooperative effort mixing public and private entities - is working to create a business resource guide to attract business and is promoting an image improvement campaign with a series of downtown Brainerd events. A March 22 Easter bunny event is planned for downtown.
Using examples from Twin Cities metro area communities where blight spread out from the urban center, Roragen said having a thriving central business district is important to the economic health of the wider area.
"The positive effects of the revitalization will be felt in the broader region," Roragen said.
The awards, which were engraved on curved glass, are designed to bring community attention to activities in downtown Brainerd from events to individual efforts to renovations and expansions.
Brainerd Restoration, a nonprofit organization, presented its first awards dinner in 2006 to projects and people benefiting historic downtown Brainerd.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.