Center City Vision Awards
2013 CENTER CITY VISION AWARDS |
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| 2013 Vision Award: Mr. Edward E. Crutchfield | ||
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The vision and civic leadership of Ed Crutchfield had a transformational impact on our Center City. He became President of First Union in 1973 at the age of 32, and immediately realized that in order to develop a top-tier national bank, he needed to help create a top-tier downtown. Through his innovative leadership, First Union, shaped South Tryon into the asset we enjoy today.
Under his tenure, First Union grew from a North Carolina bank to the fifth-largest bank in the nation. During the same period, office space in Uptown grew by 7.8 million square feet, nearly a quarter of which was occupied by First Union. With his leadership, First Union built a foundation for significant open space Uptown, including the beautiful Wells Fargo Plaza with fountains and public art; and The Green, a beloved urban park featuring education-based art and retail built upon a multi-level, 850-space parking garage. Ed Crutchfield understood that growing a company meant investing in its people, and also investing in the places and communities that would allow his staff and their families to thrive. He created a culture of philanthropy within his bank and within the city, working side by side with leaders from across the city to build arts and cultural institutions and to invest in health care and education in Charlotte. |
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| Special Achievement Award: City of Charlotte & Charlotte in 2012 | ||
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Hosting the Democratic National Convention in September 2012 was a game-changer for Charlotte. It introduced our city to the world, showcasing the first-class infrastructure and amenities that we have been building for decades. The DNC allowed us to share a more complete representation of Charlotte as more than a financial center, but also as a beautiful, livable, memorable and sustainable city that can compete with the best. Accepting this award on behalf of the City of Charlotte are Carol Jennings, Chief Rodney Monroe, Chief Harold Medlock, and Tom Murray.
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| Special Achievement Award: Crescent Communities for Circle South End | ||
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Circle South End was one of the first residential complexes in South End to embrace the model of mixed-use, transit-oriented development that is now the hallmark of the neighborhood. With thoughtful design, Crescent Communities transformed one of South End’s most prominent and environmentally challenged sites into a contemporary mixed-use project with ground floor retail that enhances the neighborhood’s streets. Crescent sold Circle South End to Post Properties last year, and the renamed Post South End remains an asset. Brian J. Natwick will accept the award on behalf of Crescent.
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| Special Achievement Award: Thomas “Pop” & Caroline “Marie” Sadler | ||
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More than 20 years ago, Pop and Marie Sadler started the Greenville Combined Community Youth Organization (CYO) and Marching Corps out of their home. Marked by the purchase of two bass drums used to teach a few local children, the organization’s beginning in 1991 also sparked revival for the neighborhood, which is next to the new NC Music Factory. Today the CYO is still a center for education and leadership, and the Sadlers provide local youth with a place to get help with schoolwork, learn discipline through music, stay out of trouble and find a community of support.
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| Settler’s Award: Alexander Michael’s Restaurant & Tavern | ||
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This year is the 30th anniversary of Alexander Michael’s Restaurant & Tavern, a beloved Fourth Ward institution that has become the neighborhood gathering place for residents and friends from across Charlotte. The historic building was built in 1897 as a grocery retail store, operated as the Crowell-Berryhill General store for more than 30 years. It was extensively restored by A. Michael Troiano Jr. & Alexander Copeland III to become “Al Mike’s” in 1983. Steve Casner has been the manager since it opened, and he and his team have created a place that people describe as Charlotte’s real-life Cheers – where everyone knows your name!
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