Kardong, Walt and Karen Worthy to be honored at Downtown Spokane Partnership’s annual meeting

Don Kardong and Walt and Karen Worthy will be honored Thursday for their civic contributions at the Downtown Spokane Partnership’s annual meeting.

Kardong, founder and race director of the Lilac Bloomsday Run, will receive the Legacy Award for creating lasting transformation in the downtown environment.

“What started as a ‘fun run’ to capitalize on the rejuvenation of downtown for Expo ’74 is now a part of the DNA that is the city of Spokane,” according to the Downtown Spokane Partnership.

Walt and Karen Worthy will receive the Impact Award for the restoration of the Historic Davenport Hotel.

“Without the vision and determination of the Worthys, it’s hard to imagine what downtown would look like today without this historic investment,” according to DSP.

DSP’s annual meeting takes place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Centennial Hotel, 303 N. River Drive. The cost is $35 for members and $40 for nonmembers.

Keynote speaker Kate Joncas of Seattle will talk about what urban centers are doing to revitalize and reimagine downtown spaces.