28 Jun DSA Names Charley Royer 2011 Downtown Champion

Former Seattle Mayor Charley Royer (and amazing Pioneer Square resident) was named the 2011 Downtown Champion at the Downtown Seattle Association’s 53^rd Annual Meeting Friday afternoon.

The award was presented in recognition of Royer’s tireless efforts in helping to revitalize the Pioneer Square neighborhood, the development of a new Central Waterfront and his active participation in a number of other civic initiatives this past year.

In presenting the award, Lyn Tangen of Vulcan Real Estate – last year’s recipient along with the Seattle Parks Foundation – told Royer, “You’ve been a community leader for more than 30 years, but this past year your involvement and leadership in so many projects critical to Downtown’s future earn you the sincere gratitude of the Downtown Seattle Association, and the title 2011 Downtown Champion.”

The presentation was a surprise to Royer, who realized he was this year’s honoree along with the other 600 people in attendance when a video titled “Mister Royer’s Neighborhood” aired on meeting room screens. The video (http://www.youtube.com/user/downtownseattle) – thanking Royer for his numerous contributions – included special messages from Chuck Armstrong, Seattle Mariners; Kevin Daniels, Daniels Development; Bob Donegan, Ivar’s; Jen Kelly, Downtown resident; Leslie Smith, The Alliance for Pioneer Square; Maggie Walker, Royer’s co-chair on the Central Waterfront Committee and many more.

Each year the DSA presents the Downtown Champion Award to an individual, company or organization that has made a significant impact in furthering DSA’s mission to champion a healthy, vibrant urban core. This is the first time in the award’s history that an individual received the award.