2008 Mill Avenue District Esteemed Excellence (MADEE) Awards

April 25, 2008
5:30 to 7:30 PM
Tempe Center of the Arts

Ticket Information

Co-Chairs: Ross Robb and Stanley Nicpon
Jury Members: Chris Anaradian, Grady Gammage, Ken McKenzie, Michael Monti, Virgil Renzulli

At the suggestion of one of our Board Directors, DTC staff has explored a new concept which we believe would add an element of anticipation, competition and gratification for Mill Avenue District stakeholders: The MADEE Award.

Downtown Tempe Community, Inc. is pleased to begin a new tradition whose purpose is to honor and recognize individual and business excellence in our community and to share the Mill Avenue District's successes with our entire region.

The MADEE Awards:
Nominations for MADEE Awards come from the Board Directors, the Public Sector, and Mill Avenue District citizens throughout the year. These awards are highly merited, highly prestigious and highly coveted, and are growing into an annual program of community recognition. The MADEE is meaningful and is recognized throughout the region.

MADEE Criteria:

  1. Winners must have caused improvement or made significant contribution to the Mill Avenue District's economic, cultural, social, or physical well-being.
  2. Winners must be located in the geographic region of the Mill Avenue District, or be in an adjacent neighborhood or transition zone.
  3. Winners' contributions must have been made, occurred, or finalized in the last fiscal year.
  4. Final selection of winners must present a balance of recognition across each of these general categories: residential, restoration, civic & economic development, arts & entertainment, events & vivacity, and neighborhood.

2008 MADEE AWARD RECEIPIENTS

ASU GAMMAGE

The 3,000-seat Gammage, beautifully and uniquely designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, routinely brings the best in Broadway entertainment and popular performances to the doorstep of the Mill Avenue District, sharing cultural esteem, visibility, and economic opportunity with District restaurants and businesses.

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack provides true leadership in the programming at ASU Gammage, bringing a level of entertainment that is unparalleled in Arizona.

Coleen Jennings-Roggensack has accepted this award for excellence in arts and entertainment programming.

I AM THE CENTER

Along with business partners and co-creators, Carol Schrof and Robert Black, their collective vision brings education, inspiration, and transformation to people through a new concept that offers a café/bistro, a bodywork studio, product store, coaching and workshops, and charitable programs.

It's the only place in the District where you can practice yoga for lunch and also get an organic brown bag to-go; and balance your chakras---all at the same time. Truly, it's a place for body, mind, and spirit.

Austin Vickers has accepted this award for new business innovation.

TEMPE MISSION PALMS HOTEL

Tempe Mission Palms is consistently among the highest occupancy hotels in the Valley; a result, no doubt, of the level of customer care and attention exemplified and mentored by General Manager Ken McKenzie. His well-trained, friendly, and professional staff sets the example for the Mill Avenue District with their unprecedented warmth and their Southwestern elegance.

Ken McKenzie has accepted this award for customer service excellence.

CAITLIN ROBB FOUNDATION

Founded in 1995 to commemorate the life of two-year-old Caitlin Robb, this Mill Avenue District-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization supports pediatric cancer research and patient-need programs. To date, nearly $1.2 million has been gifted to worthy programs by the Tempe Chapter of the Foundation, accounting for over 96% of total funds raised. Since its inception, the Caitlin Robb Foundation has been generously supported in a variety of ways by individuals and businesses in the Mill Avenue District and has become appoint of pride in the community.

Caitlin's legacy continues to provide the means to raise awareness about pediatric cancer and to support the search for improved treatments and cures to assist embattled children and families. The Caitlin Robb Foundation is among the most successful organizations of its kind in the country.

Ross Robb has accepted this award for excellence in charitable organizations.

HOUSE OF TRICKS

Congratulations to House of Tricks for celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Together with husband Robert Trick, these two entrepreneurs have built a business icon in the Mill Avenue District, succeeding throughout good and challenging economic cycles. House of Tricks offers not only a fine-dining experience with ambiance that's unequalled anywhere, but also has helped to form the reputation and image of downtown Tempe's “sense of place.”

Robin Trick has accepted this award for sustaining excellence and contributing to Mill Avenue District identity.

JAMN JAZZ AT MONTI'S BACK DOOR

JAMN Jazz was conceived in the spring of 2007 when Stu Siefer, Woody Wilson, and Roy Hoyt got together as volunteers to bring their passion for live jazz to the Mill Avenue District, which was realized on July 9th when the first of the Monday evening series was held at Monti's Back Door, touting a sold out crowd. Since then, the series has touched literally thousands of people and become an instant tradition.

JAMN Jazz has become a gathering spot for the community where people eat, chat, and enjoy the energy of live jazz where Stu does the booking, Woody provides marketing, and Roy is house manager for this winning team.

Stu Seifer, Woody Wilson, and Roy Hoyt has accepted this award for new cultural stimulation through live jazz.

2008 MADEE AWARD HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

DEAN JAMES W. ELMORE

Elmore was the founding Dean of the ASU College of Architecture, arriving at ASU in 1949 under then-president Grady Gammage. He was the leader and champion of the idea of the Rio Salado Project, which ultimately became the basis for Tempe Town Lake. Dean Elmore was an advocate for the College to provide service and amenities to the community by improving the built and natural environments.

In Dean Elmore's hands, the Rio Salado Project arose out of a mid-1960s design proposal concept from within the College of Architecture that encouraged reclaiming the channel of the Salt River. Now realized, Tempe Town Lake serves as a catalyst to mixed-use development including new neighborhoods, and Tempe Beach Park which has become a prominent gathering point for the entire Valley. Events at the Lake attract more than two million visitors a year.

As a steadfast advocate for solar energy applications, Elmore sought solutions for transportation and other issues affecting sustainable growth in the Valley. He remains a seminal leader in the formation of both the contemporary and the future Mill Avenue District.

For his vision for the Rio Salado Project and creation of Tempe Town Lake, this award was presented to Dean John W. Elmore. Accepting this posthumous award for Dean Elmore is Wellington “Duke” Reiter, the current Dean of the ASU College of Design.

VICTOR LINOFF

Vic Linoff's 35-year history in the Mill Avenue District gives testament to the importance of his presence in the Mill Avenue District. Since 1972, Vic's shop, Those Were The Days, has stood as his own private vote of confidence for small business in the Mill Avenue District. Vic has survived and thrived through generations of change: from hippies to punks, to preppies, recessions, economic booms, art festivals, parades, and even a papal visit. He's provided a consistent presence during constant change.

Throughout, Vic has been a strong advocate and skilled promoter for the District, and has served on commissions, spoken at Council meetings, volunteered for leadership boards, and advocated small business amid a sea of changing times. He is a steadfast historic preservationist who also understands the need for change by supporting progress and new development. As a property owner, Vic owns and restored the Goodwin Building, which houses Old Town Books, Those Were The Days, So-Oh! Fashion, and Cookiez.

Vic's decision to retire brings with it bittersweet responses: certainly, he's earned a well-deserved retirement, but the Mill Avenue District will miss one of our beloved shop icons---indeed, those were the days! And these are the days to say thank you to Vic, and to recognize him for his consistent presence and influence in the evolution of the Mill Avenue District.

JOHN BENTON

John Benton's place in the history of the Mill Avenue District and its economic development is indisputable. While many partners and consultants worked with John on a variety of important Mill Avenue District projects, it was his vision and his commitment that created the early momentum and credibility that helped form our contemporary Mill Avenue District. John arrived as an ASU student 40 years ago, when the Mill Avenue District was largely blighted. He saw the possibilities for redevelopment and urban infill along Mill Avenue at a time when the mainstream development community would never have considered such an endeavor.

Since then, Benton-led downtown Tempe developments have stood the test of time, beginning with the 5th & Mill Building (1978) and the redevelopment of two historic gems in the Andre Building (1982) and the Casa Loma Building (1984). Later, John's understanding of the economic and social importance of urban housing fostered the Mill Avenue District's first significant mixed use project with Hayden Square (1987-1991).

Within a few short years, he and his partners responded to a City of Tempe and ASU Request For Proposals (1991) that resulted in what is now Hayden Ferry Lakeside. In connection with that private sector effort, the case was made for the City to move forward with Tempe Town Lake in the mid to late 1990s. For the last three decades, John Benton has been an integral leader in forming the future of downtown Tempe architecturally, socially, and civically.