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Phoenix Community Alliance recognizes duo for helping revitalize downtown

The Phoenix Community Alliance announced this year’s Center City Champion award to Dr. Sheila Harris and the Newcomer award to Dominic Papa.

PHOENIX — Two outstanding individuals will be recognized on Thursday for their efforts in improving the quality of life in the downtown Phoenix community.

The Phoenix Community Alliance announced this year’s Center City Champion Award to Dr. Sheila Harris and the Newcomer Award to Dominic Papa.

Since 1993 the PCA’s Center City award honors individuals such as business leaders, politicians, educators, and other city changemakers who devote their time, talent and resources towards creating a stronger downtown Phoenix community. 

For 2020, the Center City Award was re-imagined into the Champion and Newcomer awards.

Harris was previously founding director of the Arizona Department of Housing and has assisted in the development of affordable housing for over 30 years.

Newcomer awardee Dominic Papa, vice president of Smart Initiatives at the Arizona Commerce Authority, has been pioneering technology and local government to create smart region initiatives.

Executive Director Phoenix Community Alliance John Hamby says, “This award is truly all-encompassing who is doing what and who is doing the most for the city of Phoenix and how do we celebrate these great change-makers and how do we really put them up for the whole community to see and understand their efforts."

Despite facing the economic and social challenges of COVID-19 this past year, Harris says her social and housing advancement committee has remained strong.

“I think it’s because everyone’s so focused on the challenges facing people whether they're experiencing homelessness or their lower-income and really looking to come together to develop housing or every one of all incomes in the downtown area,” says Harris. 

Papa adds that collaboration has given them a competitive advantage as well. 

“Downtown Phoenix is going to be true to its name, we’re going to rise from the ashes not only downtown Phoenix but the economy because like the Dr. mentioned there really is no place else really in the country where people come together to work together to do great things,” says Papa.

He adds that great leadership from the city, ASU downtown, and leading technology companies like Dell and Cox all working together to solve pressing issues make the city more resilient, vibrant, and sustainable coming out of the economic struggles of the past year.

You can view the live stream of the event Thursday at 11:30 a.m. on the group's website.

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