Finalists for the 2025 President’s Awards Program have been announced. For 39 years, the President’s Awards program, sponsored by Texas Downtown (TXD), has recognized outstanding projects, places, and people of Texas Downtowns.

Downtown Brownwood has been selected as a finalist in four categories of this year’s Texas Downtown President’s Awards, which honor outstanding projects, businesses, and partnerships in communities across Texas.

In the Design Category (28 finalists):
• Best New Construction: Brownwood Event Center Complex – Icehouse Stage and Reunion Lawn

In the Achievement Category (33 finalists):
• Best Downtown Business: Intermission Bookshop
• Best Downtown Partner: Brownwood Lyric Theatre
• Best Economic Game Changer: Brownwood Event Center Complex

In addition to being named finalists, these projects and businesses are also in the running for the 2025 People’s Choice Awards. The public is invited to participate by voting on the official Texas Downtown Facebook page. To cast a vote, individuals must “like” the photo of their favorite project on the original Texas Downtown post. Voting is open through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22.

Links to each Brownwood finalist’s photo can be found below for convenient access:
• Best New Construction – Brownwood Event Center Complex – Icehouse Stage and Reunion Lawn
• Best Downtown Business – Intermission Bookshop
• Best Downtown Partner – Brownwood Lyric Theatre
• Best Economic Game Changer – Brownwood Event Center Complex

“Our downtown momentum is the result of teamwork: vision from the City, courage from investors, and the day-to-day commitment of local businesses,” said Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes. “This recognition belongs to all of Brownwood.”

TXD was established in 1985 to connect and serve communities that are committed to downtown vitality. The organization is an independent, statewide nonprofit that represents cities and towns of all sizes, economic development corporations, chambers of commerce, local associations, small businesses, and individuals.

This year, 144 entries were submitted in 11 different awards categories from 32 different Texas downtowns across the state. Design and Achievement categories were judged by separate panels.

The judges for design entries were:
• Brisa Byford, Civic Brand
• Catherine Sak, City of Austin
• Conor Herterich, Preservation Texas
• Krista Nightengale, Better Block
• Lois Rodriguez, TxDOT, Texas Highways Magazine
• Steven Lyons, Authentic Texas
• Troy Myatt, Wrangler Design, Texas Forts Trail Region

The judges for achievement entries were:
• Andrea Barefield, Ardurra Group
• Brianna Brown, City of Lubbock
• Cara Lowrimore, IC², University of Texas
• Clancy Hardin, Community Destination Services
• Maggie Gillespie, Main Street America
• Sarah O’Brien, York County Economic Alliance & Downtown Inc
• Sarah Page, Texas Heritage Trails Program
• Terry Colley, Retired, Texas Historical Commission

Winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 4, at the President’s Awards Gala, held in conjunction with the 2025 Texas Downtown Annual Conference, November 2–5 in Waco, Texas.

For more information about the President’s Awards or other programs of Texas Downtown, please visit www.texasdowntown.org.