Seven Bellevue individuals, businesses and organizations were honored Thursday night for their contributions to the city’s downtown.

The 2012 Place Making Awards, organized by the Bellevue Downtown Association, drew more than 400 business and community leaders to the event at Meydenbauer Center in Downtown Bellevue.

“This year’s award winners have contributed to the making of a great place,” said Patrick Bannon, president of the association. “Their ideas, leadership and persistence play a huge role in downtown’s successful evolution as a vibrant, thriving and livable center for the city and region.”

The 2012 Place Making Award winners are: Mary Pat Byrne (Arts Champion); Bellevue Botanical Garden Society (Community Treasure); Bake’s Place (Opening of the year); HNTB Corporation (Commute Champion); Su Development (Groundbreaking of the Year); The Bellevue Collection (Cultural Catalyst); and Leslie Lloyd (Leadership).

Byrne, whose spent the last 25 years working at the City of Bellevue, was recognized for her advocacy of arts education and her involvement in bringing the biennial sculpture exhibition to fruition.

The Bellevue Botanical Garden was recognized for it’s years of service to downtown Bellevue, and it’s volunteer’s dedication to nurturing and preserving the beauty of the downtown district.

Local hotspot Bake’s Place was awarded “Opening of the Year” for it’s contribution to Bellevue’s ever-expanding entertainment calendar. Opened in Bellevue in May 2012, the concert venue boasts a great atmosphere, delicious food and standout live music entertainment.

The HNTB Corporation was recognized for setting a high standard in regard to improving mobility for their employees in downtown Bellevue. In 2012, 80 percent of HNTB employees received an ORCA transit pass, and more than 70 percent of their employees chose a mode other than driving alone to work, including 6 percent who biked or walked.

Su Development broke ground on downtown’s first major project coming out of the recession, a 21-story residential tower at Northeast Second Street and 106th Avenue Northeast called Soma Towers. The groundbreaking was cited for showing continued confidence in the Downtown Bellevue market and keeping the spotlight fixed on downtown’s future as a livable urban center.

Receiving the honor “Cultural Catalyst” was The Bellevue Collection, which was recognized for its significant commitment to animating its retail environment with arts exhibitions, cultural programming and demonstrations featuring local performance groups.

The leadership award was given to Leslie Lloyd, the former president of the BDA, who retired in 2012 after serving as the head of the association for 11 years. A champion for improving Downtown Bellevue, Lloyd was a key player in a variety of projects during her time with the BDA, including city planning, increasing access to performing arts, philanthropy and regional transportation.

Following the awards program, keynote speaker Brad Segal, founder and president of Denver-based Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA), delivered his insights on global trends shaping cities today. Segal’s presentation covered key changes in demographics, lifestyles and global competition and their impact locally. As one of the nation’s leading authorities on downtown issues, he offered a proactive view of Downtown Bellevue’s future and tangible ideas for anticipating the changes ahead.