The Texas Downtown Association honored McKinney City Council member Don Day the 2016 Downtowner of the Year.[/caption]

McKinney City Council member Don Day received a statewide honor last week as the Texas Downtown Association named him the 2016 Downtowner of the Year, which is a recognition for a longtime exemplary commitment to downtown revitalization through time given, resources and leadership.

"I am honored by the award but it should be shared with a number of people and organizations," Day said. "First the city of McKinney, which created a pedestrian friendly downtown with wide sidewalks, lighting and landscaping. Next would be Amy Rosenthal, McKinney Main Street director, who does a fantastic job at [McKinney Performing Arts Center]. And finally, all the other building owners and business owners who daily put their time, money and pride into making downtown McKinney the 'gem of a downtown' that has resulted in McKinney being repeatedly named as one of the top five cities in America."

Day said he is proud to be associated with McKinney's success.

Day came to McKinney in 1996 with experience in remodeling and refurbishing historic buildings in Fredericksburg, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Twenty years and 31 buildings later, Historic Downtown McKinney is recognized at a state and national level for its downtown. There have been several public and private investments to help achieve downtown McKinney’s success, and Day has impacted the community with his passion for visual aesthetics and expertise in historical preservation and renovations, city officials said.

From his donation of the initial art work for the public art collection at MPAC and commissioning of Texas limestone sculptures and bronze sculptures throughout downtown to his role as property owner and business partner of Rick’s Chophouse, Harvest, The Grand Hotel, Uptown and more, Day has been a strategic role player to help create McKinney’s downtown square into the exquisite and vibrant downtown well known and loved in North Texas, said Amy Rosenthal, director of MPAC and McKinney Main Street.

TDA is a statewide nonprofit organization comprising more than 450 members involved in more than $1 billion in downtown revitalization projects. By fostering development and revitalization, TDA strives to enhance the economic vitality of Texas downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts by providing resources, networking opportunities, education and advocacy.