For approximately 75 years, Hal Hoppe and family have owned the property at 440 North 8th Street, which once served as a lumber manufacturing building.  Last year WRK partnered with the Hoppe's, on what would become The Sawmill Building.  The goal of the project was to fully renovate a single story red brick building with the hopes that it would serve as a catalyst to stimulate growth and create a bookend for the North side of the Historical Haymarket. 
 
After completion, the name "The Sawmill Building" was chosen to represent the history and use of the building.  The character of the old building is juxtaposed with the contemporary suites.  Now completely updated and modernized, this building serves as a home to many different tenants including; United States Senator Ben Nelson, Weitz Construction Company, Bread and Cup restaurant, Bahr Vermeer & Haecker Architects, New Age Design, Hoppe Manufacturing Company and WRK.  The Sawmill Partnership is pleased to say that the building is fully leased.

Three years ago Devon Seacrest was trying to find a place to live to match his personality and price point in the downtown area.  After looking at several potential places he decided to build something himself.  He chose the third floor of the Chapin Building located on 14th and "O" Street.  Devon divided the third floor into three condos one for himself and the others he put on the market and sold before they were completed. 
 
The Suburbia condos are some of the largest of its kind in the downtown area.  Suburbia condos also include extra-wide stainless steel fridges, whirlpool tubs, rain showers, front loading washers and dryers and much more. The condos bring a suburban feel to the downtown area by having a two thousand square foot rooftop with a grass lawn, bar, wooden deck and a brand new Jacuzzi. 

For 23 years the Haymarket Farmers' Market has been a Saturday morning tradition for many people young and old.  It has had a variety of locations but for the past 15 years the Market has made its home in the Historic Haymarket.  Since 2001, Linda Hubka and Jeff Cunningham have helped make the Haymarket Farmers' Market what it is today.  Currently there are 215 vender stalls and the market continues to grow each year.  Jeff and Linda give 100 percent of the credit to the vendors who show up every Saturday, rain or shine. 
 
The Haymarket Farmers' Market would not be possible without the assistance of many.  Support from the City is critical, the Mayor's office, Urban Development and Public Works, to mention a few, the DLA crew and of course the Board of Directors of the Lincoln Haymarket Development Corporation. 

Tad began volunteering for the Updowntowners in 1986 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1987 and has held the longest board tenure in the organization's 24 years. He has held the position of legal counsel and event logistics since 1986, except for the three years when he served as the Updowntowners' President-Elect, President and Past President. 
 
Tad contributes to the Updowntowners events seven days a week, 12 months a year and puts in about 750-1,000 hours each year to the Updowntowners events and legislative concerns.  He spends all this time as a volunteer as well as being a lawyer at Fraizer and Fraizer.
 
"I have personally worked very closely with Tad and have enjoyed each moment of it," said Deb Johnson, Executive Director of Updowntowners.  "Tad's commitment to the event industry is unprecedented in our organization. He has served as the backbone of our organization and the Updowntowners are extremely fortunate to have him as a volunteer."

Young Entrepreneur Award
Jaclyn Geist

Just over four years ago Jaclyn Geist opened up Lincoln's first clothing exchange store in the heart of downtown and has watched it grow ever since.  Jaclyn attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln and currently lives downtown. The Black Market buys sells and trades new and gently used trendy clothing and accessories and helps redesign clothing and alterations.  There is something for everyone, and that is exactly what Jaclyn wanted when she opened the store.
 
The Black Market has provided a unique look to the downtown shopping scene.  People from all different ages enjoy shopping at the Black Market, whether it is college students enjoying time between classes to business men and women shopping over their lunch hour.  Jaclyn believes The Black Market has jump started the young business owners in the downtown area.  On October 16, 2008 Jaclyn expanded her downtown location to include The Public, a trendy men and women footwear store.