What DNA Has Accomplished

DNA representatives have a regular presence at meetings where the issues discussed will affect our neighborhood including City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, and the Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable. DNA has a representative at the annual national conference of NUSA Neighborhoods USA in Phoenix, AZ. DNA members serve on a variety of committees and task forces. They attend events where public input is solicited. At the request of Lincoln's Department of Urban Development, a committee of DNA members met for a year to formulate a property improvement plan for a multi-block focus area within the neighborhood. The plan won DNA an award from the Urban Community Improvement Program. (UCIP)

In the spring of 2000, DNA produced its first Downtown Homes Tour. Homes within the core of the downtown were open for four hours. The tour was a great success and plans are being made for another tour in 2002. DNA has received awards for completing projects in the downtown area such as cleaning alleys, painting trash receptacles and planting flowers in the main street planting areas.
 
Awards/Recognition

1999 UCIP Economic Development Award - Neighborhood Action Plan 
Downtown Neighborhood Association (Lincoln): volunteers worked with city officials and other local groups to develop an Action Plan for downtown Lincoln. The plan identifies actions that can be taken to address a wide range of goals including neighborhood safety and support for housing in the downtown area. 

1999 UCIP Neighborhood Excellence Award - Oustanding Community Development Practice 
Downtown Neighborhood Association (Lincoln): worked with the city and other groups to create an action plan for downtown Lincoln. With board members representing various districts within the downtown area, the DNA is working to enhance the quality of life for downtown residents through enhanced housing and grocery opportunities. 

1998 UCIP Housing Improvement Award 
Downtown Neighborhood Association (Lincoln): Downtown volunteers raised public awareness of housing opportunities in downtown Lincoln by participating in the Heart of Lincoln Tour of Homes and by informing local residents of housing improvement programs offered by the city, such as PRIDE grants.

1997 UCIP Community Involvement Award 
Downtown Neighborhood Association (Lincoln): The Downtown Neighborhood Association developed a neighborhood Action Plan this year in cooperation with the city's Urban Development Department. DNA members were also active in numerous policy and decision-making bodies including the Antelope Valley Project, Downtown 2000, the Facade Funds Board and the Business Improvement District. 

1995 UCIP Economic Development Award 
Downtown Neighborhood Association (Lincoln): Downtown Neighborhood Association volunteers reached out to the entire city for help in a clean-up of a 24-block area. Nearly $2,000 was raised from local businesses and Clean Community Systems for cleaning tools and equipment for use in the future. Despite a heavy rain that washed out the first cleanup attempt, volunteers regrouped and completed the cleanup of downtown and Haymarket areas.