Downtown Alliance Honors Six Community Members with Exceptional Service Awards

05/15/2017
Downtown Alliance Honors Six Community Members with Exceptional Service Awards

The Alliance for Downtown New York presented six pillars of the Lower Manhattan community with Exceptional Service Awards this morning to recognize their efforts for helping make life better for residents, workers and visitors in the neighborhood. 

In presenting the awards at The Down Town Association, Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin said: "Lower Manhattan is thriving right now, thanks in large part to these extraordinary recipients and their hard work and passion for our community. From providing public safety and sanitation to enriching our cultural lives and educating the next generation of New Yorkers, they are a dedicated and remarkable group." 

The 2017 Exceptional Service Awards recipients include: 

Milton Eng, General Superintendent of NYC Department of Sanitation — Superintendent Eng has been at the sanitation department since 2004 and has been instrumental to keeping the Alliance's independent recycling efforts on track. From scheduling pick ups to securing equipment, he works with the Alliance to keep Lower Manhattan among the cleanest and greenest neighborhoods in the city. 

NYPD Sergeant Dennis Feldman — Sergeant Feldman is part of the NYPD's 1st Precinct and oversees the Staten Island Ferry Terminal where he's done an exceptional job at keeping commuters and tourists safe by enforcing laws on vendors and ticket sellers. He also works closely with the Alliance's public safety managers as well as participates in our homeless outreach efforts with the Bowery Residents' Committee. 

Stephen Friedman, President of Pace University — While President Friedman is stepping down this year from his official role, he's dedicated a decade of service to the Lower Manhattan community. Beyond his work on revitalizing the Pace campus, Friedman has served the community as a board member of the Alliance as well as the National Museum of the American Indian and as a trustee of the New York Downtown Hospital as well. 

John Haworth, Former Director of Public Programs for the National Museum of the American Indian — Prior to his recent retirement, Haworth was a great advocate and leader for the museums and cultural institutions in Lower Manhattan. Beyond building coalitions among the institutions Downtown he's helped to build the neighborhood into a cultural destination. 

NYPD Deputy Inspector Mark Iocco — Deputy Inspector Iocco is the Commanding Officer of the NYPD's 1st Precinct and responsible for all law enforcement in our area. He's been a huge assistance for the Alliance in addressing local vandalism and under his watch the Staten Island Ferry unit grew from two to six officers and now includes nearby Battery Park and Bowling Green. 

Joseph Palazzola, Project Manager of the New York City Economic Development Corp. — Palazzola has been a key player in supporting the Alliance's recycling program. Beyond facilitating the pick-up of tons of material every year, Palazzola has gone above and beyond to work with our team to ensure the program's success, which now boasts 176 Big Belly containers throughout the neighborhood. 

Each year, the Downtown Alliance recognizes unique individuals from both the public and private sector who have provided exceptional service to advance the goals of the Downtown Alliance and Lower Manhattan. 

Photos of the awards can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/downtownny/sets/72157680704392084/

For more information on the Alliance for Downtown New York, contact Elizabeth Lutz at 212.835.2763 or [email protected].