IDA Presents Downtown Achievement Awards Recognizing Excellence in Urban Place Management

The International Downtown Association recognized Downtown Arlington with the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for its resourceful approaches related to Partnerships for Parks. A jury of peer professionals reviewed, deliberated and evaluated all entries in the 2026 Downtown Achievement Awards. The Award of Excellence acknowledges an excellent response to an urban place management challenge, demonstrating application of industry knowledge and exceeds the jury criteria.

Downtown Arlington Management Corporation President and CEO Maggie Campbell spoke to the organization’s vision for connecting the district through thoughtful public spaces and outdoor gathering places.

“Public spaces are an essential part of building a strong downtown, and creating more parks, gathering places and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors has been an important part of Downtown Arlington’s vision for the district. We are grateful for the many community partners who have helped make that vision possible. Through thoughtful planning and partnerships, we have been able to transform spaces throughout Downtown, including the railroad corridor that once served as a dividing line, into places where people can gather, play, relax and connect. These spaces are an important part of creating a more connected and active downtown, and we are proud to see that work recognized by the International Downtown Association.”

Downtown Arlington has worked to address a longstanding need for more public spaces where the community can gather. As new residential development brought more people downtown, the need for spaces that support recreation, entertainment and quality of life became increasingly important.

Today, spaces like the Levitt Pavilion, Rotary Dream Park and the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot give residents and visitors more ways to enjoy Downtown Arlington. The Levitt Pavilion brings live music and entertainment to the district, while Rotary Dream Park offers a place for people of all ages to play and spend time outdoors. The Doggie Depot was created in response to a resident survey identifying a need for a dog park downtown and provides an amenity for nearby residents. Together, these spaces add greenery, recreation, entertainment and opportunities for community-building to the downtown experience.

Partnership for Parks was entered in the category of Planning Design, and Infrastructure, which IDA identifies as one of the seven professional urban place management practice areas. This category features unique organizational approaches and projects in the areas of clean, safe and hospitality, placemaking and activation and facilities management.

"Downtown Arlington has demonstrated skillful application of urban place management principles with their project Partnership for Parks,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “The Partnership for Parks should serve as a framework to all member communities within IDA.”

IDA will convene this September in Toronto for Intersections: Where Districts, Disciplines & Ideas Converge, a three-day conference to discuss emerging trends in place management. [INSERT NAME, TITLE AND ORGANIZATION] will be recognized for their award-winning project during the Downtown Achievement Awards ceremony at the 72nd Annual Conference & Marketplace, September 1-3, 2026. IDA’s Annual Conference & Marketplace is the premier gathering for professional place managers and urban champions creating vibrant and healthy cities around the world. The conference features educational sessions, Master Talks (short keynotes from industry leaders), marketplace exhibitors and networking opportunities.

Washington, DC-based IDA is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping

and activating dynamic city center districts. Downtown Arlington Management Corporation is the urban place management organization representing the interests of property owners in Arlington, Texas.

About Downtown Arlington Management Corporation

The Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (DAMC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, under contract with the City of Arlington to manage downtown special services including maintenance, beautification, marketing, economic development, and advocacy. The organization is largely funded through Public Improvement District (PID) #1, providing funding support from private property owners, through a supplemental property tax assessment. These PID-funded services benefit the owners and their tenants, providing for a vibrant and engaged downtown neighborhood. Downtown Arlington was designated in 2016 as the Arlington Cultural Arts District. DAMC serves as the primary convener and keeper of the downtown vision and is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors.

About IDA

The International Downtown Association (IDA) is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Our members are city builders and downtown champions who bring urban centers to life, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. We represent an industry of more than 2,500 place management organizations, employing 100,000 people throughout North America and growing rapidly around the world. Founded in 1954, IDA is a resource center for ideas and innovative best practices in urban place management. For more information, visit downtown.org.