Fargo’s Downtown Community Partnership (DCP) is excited to announce the 2020 Broadway Monument Award recipients. This award is presented annually to community members and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding service to Downtown Fargo through the giving of their time, talents, and resources to further the goals and objectives of the DCP.
The 2020 award recipients are:
● James Gilmour, Director of Strategic Planning and Research at the City of Fargo
With more than 26 years of service to the City of Fargo, Gilmour has been a steady supporter of downtown Fargo’s revitalization, unfailingly dedicated to carrying out strategies set forth in citizen-driven comprehensive planning. He is a champion of core neighborhoods, the City of Fargo’s redevelopment policies, and thoughtful economic development. Over the last 10 years, Gilmour has been integral in developing strategies to create structured parking in downtown, replacing surface lots and catalyzing a dozen new construction projects in the city’s Central Business District. Gilmour works closely with the DCP as a liaison between small businesses and Fargo’s elected leaders, advocating for the needs and challenges of the business community.
● Ron Ramsey, Associate Professor of Architecture at NDSU
Ramsay began his teaching career at North Dakota State University in 1971 and is a university fixture as the Architectural History instructor, leaving a lasting impression on generations of students. Ramsay’s dedication to design, preservation and re-birth of downtown urban areas, especially Fargo, has been an emphasis of his design instruction. He has pushed students to search for historical relevance, thoughtfully design for future use and intentionally preserve downtown’s aesthetic. His service on numerous historic preservation boards, quest to educate and celebrate significant buildings, and present a pathway to preserve and register them has made an indelible impression on the present and future of Downtown Fargo. Ramsey is currently working to preserve the historic Milton E. Beebe Architectural Office in downtown Fargo.
● Community Champion US Bank, accepted by Darin Daby, Regional President
A staple of downtown Fargo, US Bank is an active, engaged ambassador of the DCP and the community. For decades before Broadway Square was built, US Bank shared its plaza on Broadway with the community, partnering to host fundraisers, community events, and more. Team members of US Bank participated in the DCP’s strategic focus groups last year, resulting in a robust strategic plan for the next five years of the organization. When COVID devastated our small business community, US Bank was among the first to sign up for the DCP’s Support A Member program, covering the membership dues of small businesses that simply couldn’t cover the cost after prolonged business disruption. US Bank has been a member of the DCP since 2003 and has steadily increased their investment level.
To be considered for the Broadway Monument Award, a recipient must have a history of service to the Downtown Community Partnership and/or support of DCP activities. Overall, the award is largely based on one’s engagement and impact to Downtown Fargo Community as a whole. Award winners have made exemplary contributions and demonstrated a commitment to serving and advocating for downtown Fargo.
Past Broadway Monument Winners include:
2019 Awards:
Lee Dobrinz Board of Directors Downtown Community Partnership, Tom Smith
Board of Directors Downtown Community Partnership, Kevin Riley Board of Directors
Downtown Community Partnership
2019 Partners:
Community Champions Kilbourne Group, Family Health & Fargo Theatre
2018 Awards:
Brad Wimmer Board of Directors Downtown Community Partnership, Travis
Koch Board of Directors Downtown Community Partnership
2018 Partners:
Community Champion Microsoft, Fargo Forum
2017 Awards:
Mark Nisbet Board of Directors Downtown Community Partnership, Carol Anhorn Board of Directors Downtown Community Partnership, Tim Flakoll Board of Directors
Downtown Community Partnership
2017 Partners:
Community Champion Xcel Energy, MIDCO, Sanford
In addition, the DCP Board of Directors has named Adrienne Olson the 2021 DCP Board Chair. Olson leads marketing and communications for Kilbourne Group, a real estate redevelopment firm founded in 2006 as a catalyst of inspiration and action for revitalizing downtown Fargo’s urban core and economic vitality through historic renovation, urban infill, and placemaking projects.
“I’m thrilled to begin this year of service to lead the Board of the Downtown Community Partnership,” said Olson. “Over the past year, our DCP and the small businesses we serve have faced their greatest challenges. With the challenges, we found renewed community support for local business and for the DCP, for which we are grateful and inspired. With a sharpened focus and a new strategic plan, the DCP is poised to ensure the vibrancy of downtown comes roaring back as soon as possible. I can think of no better way to channel my passion for Downtown Fargo than through serving the small local businesses that make downtown special through the DCP. The pace of progress downtown is astounding. I invite you to rediscover Downtown Fargo and explore the neighborhood where our shared history and our inspired future meet.”
Voting board members of the DCP are Michael Erickson, Sanford Health; Adrienne Olson, Kilbourne Group; Austin Morris, Enclave Development; Taya Spelhaug, Microsoft; Tim Flakoll, Tri-College University; Warren Ackley, Old Broadway and many others; Tami Norgard, Vogel Law; Jesse Helland, ICS; and Patrick McShane, American Federal Bank.
