Next Brown Bag Luncheon
The Chicago River
Thursday, May 3rd, at 12.15 pm
Chicago Cultural Center
Millennium Room
Celebrating Downtown Chicago
Nearly 100 people joined Friends of Downtown at our Best of Downtown 2011 Awards event on April 4, 2012 at the Haymarket Pub & Brewery. Each year, Friends of Downtown’s annual awards honor all the various things that make downtown Chicago one of the world’s most unique places.
We were delighted to recognize Geoffrey Baer, of WTTW-TV, with the Mary Ward Wolkonsky Lifetime Achievement Award (see his comments below).
This year we also honored terrific projects such as the Poetry Foundation Building, the Monroe Building, and the National Hellenic Museum.
Chicago Commissioner of Transportation Gabe Klein was present to accept awards for two recent projects – the Red Line Grand Station renovation and protected bike lanes. We welcomed new businesses to downtown Chicago, including Mariano’s, Topshop, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.
See all the awardees here.
See photos from the Best of Downtown 2011 Awards event.
Mary Ward Wolkonsky Award 2011 | Geoffrey Baer
30 Years Ago
About Us
Friends of Downtown is the voice for intelligent planning and urban design for downtown Chicago. Founded in 1981, we are recognized as a vital and influential component of the city’s design and building process.
Friends of Downtown directly influences planning and development decisions through debate, public advocacy, and cooperation with other civic organizations. We create awareness of important issues affecting downtown, enabling citizens to develop their understanding and voice their opinions of Chicago’s physical and social environment.
Members throughout the metropolitan area are committed to ensuring that downtown Chicago remains the well-designed, vibrant, economic heart of the city.
Educate
Friends of Downtown offers unique programs on the hottest topics to provide members with comprehensive information about city development and urban planning issues that affect the people who live, work and play in downtown Chicago.
Advocate
Friends of Downtown lets your voice be heard on important city issues. As a contributing partner in the growth and development of Chicago, our representatives provide public testimony before such groups as the Chicago Plan Commission, Commission on Chicago Landmarks and the Chicago City Council.
Celebrate
In addition to the Annual and Awards events, each year, we look at hosting one or two member-only special events or receptions that give people a chance to learn more about Downtown Chicago and meet the people who make up Friends of Downtown.
