By Brian Werth
Herald-Times Business Editor
February 13, 2004
Jim Murphy, president of the real estate development firm CFC Properties, took over as president of the Bloomington Downtown Commission at an awards ceremony Thursday evening.
Celebrating the commission’s 20th year in operation, the group handed out more than a dozen awards at a banquet in the Fountain Square Ballroom.
Danise Alano, the past president of the commission, said 2003 was a turning point for downtown Bloomington.
“New construction projects not only have changed our skyline forever, but will also bring about plenty of new opportunities for downtown businesses as new residents come to downtown,” she said. “I can’t think of a better person to lead the commission into this new era than Jim Murphy, whose company has been so instrumental in downtown Bloomington’s success during the past 20 years.”
Murphy said there was a lot of work to be done this year to capitalize on the $80 million worth of residential and commercial projects currently underway.
“Our downtown is by no means finished,” he said. “We have come a long way, but there is a lot more to do.”
This year’s award winners were:
- Business of the year — The Bluebird Nightclub, for its expansion and renovation into the former Opie Taylor’s Building.
- Downtown improvement — Monroe County government and Area 10 Rural Transit for the shuttle service for downtown employees.
- Merchandising — Natural Elements, 122 N. Walnut St., for the window display.
- Customer Service — Yogi’s Grill & Bar.
- Adaptive Re-use — Scholars Inn Bakehouse Bagels, for the expansion into and renovation of the former Ben Franklin Building.
- Financing — Bob Barker and Union Planters Bank for work on the refinancing of convention center bonds.
- Neighborhood Enhancement — Vencel Properties, for construction of a building at 1115 N. College Ave.
- New Housing Development — Regester Place/The Mercury apartment project.
- Downtown Public Improvement — The Wayfinder Sign Program.
- Extra Mile — Carol Jack and the City of Bloomington’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department.
- Volunteers of the year — Pets ALIVE!
- Promotion of the year — The Gallery Walk.
- Convention Center Shining Star — The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana University School of Law.
