Downtown Vision created the #DTJax Awards in 2015 to celebrate the people and projects making Downtown Jacksonville a better place to live, work, visit and invest.
Downtowner of the Year
Award to honor an individual who has demonstrated inspirational leadership and has made strides to create and support a vibrant Downtown.
Past winners:
2025 – Bryan Moll, Gateway Jax
2024 – Tim Cost, Jacksonville University
2023 – Kay Ehas, Groundwork Jacksonville
2022 – Jason Hunnicutt, 1904, Ocean Street Tacos and Underbelly
2021 – Mari Kuraishi, DuPont Fund
2020 – Jessica Santiago, ArtRepublic
2019 – Brian Wolfburg, Vystar Credit Union
2018 – Ambassador John D. Rood & Steve Moore, Vestcor
2017 – Frank Denton & Mark Nusbaum, J Magazine
2016 – Ben Davis, Intuition Ale Works
2015 – Alex Coley, NAI Hallmark
Downtown Project of the Year
Award to recognize a project that has significantly enhanced the economic revitalization of Downtown through the activation of underutilized resources, job creation, or leading design practices.
Past winners:
2025- Union Terminal Warehouse
2024- Friendship Fountain
2023 – Fuller Warren Shared Use Path
2022 – FIS Headquarters
2021 – The Breezeway at VyStar Tower
2020 – Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, Jacksonville Transportation Authority
2019 – The Barnett Building and UNF Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, SOuthEast Group & UNF
2018 – 20West FSCJ House and Cafe, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Profit Investments and LISC Jacksonville
2017 – Cowford Chophouse, Jacques & Alex Klempf
2016 – Winston Family YMCA, First Coast YMCA
2015 – Sweet Pete’s, Allison & Peter Behringer
Retail Project of the Year
A new retail project that has created an amenity for Downtown residents, employees and visitors through remarkable design and unique offerings
Past Winners:
2025 – Pour Taproom & Pizza Dynamo
2024 – Hardwicks Bar
2023 – Setlan Coffee
2022 – Ruby Beach Brewing
2021 – The Bread and Board Provision
Small Business of the Year
Award to recognize a thriving street level retailer who enhances the Downtown experience.
Past winners:
2025 – Greenhouse & Bar
2024 – Chamblin’s Uptown
2023 – Wolf & Cub
2022 – Dos Gatos
2021 – The Volstead
2020 – Manifest Distilling
2019 – Bellwether, Jonathan Insetta and Allan Devault
Downtown Achievement Award
Award that recognizes an individual or organization for a significant body of work that reinforces Downtown as the premier center for arts, dining, retail, entertainment, business and/or urban living in Northeast Florida.
Past winners:
2025 – Guy Parola
2024 – John Silveira
2023 – Alex Sifakis
2022 – Dawn Lockhart
2021 – Mayor Lenny Curry
2020 – Maria Hane
2019 – Debbie Buckland, Truist Bank
2018 – Aundra Wallace, Downtown Investment Authority
2017 – Preston Haskell
2016 – Council President Lori Boyer
2015 – Dupont Fund/Center, Sherry Magill
Ambassador of the Year
Award to honor a Downtown Ambassador who continually goes above and beyond in their service of Downtown’s stakeholders, residents, employees and visitors.
Past winners:
2025 – Trai Robinson
2024 – Brandy Hicks
2023 – Potrena Jones
2022 – Duan Thompson
2021 – David Vasquez
2020 – Johnny Duckett
2019 – Michael Carpenter
2018 – Michael Ryan
2017 – Willie Browner
2016 – Michael Ryan
2015 – Lydia Cobbert
Activator of the Year
Award that honors an individual or organization whose work helps to bring Downtown to life. Through their dedication and creativity, they transform ordinary spaces into vibrant gathering places that inspire connection, foster belonging, and build a stronger community.
2025 – HushHush Jax