FRDC began the Louis StokesCommunity Visionary Award in 1996 to honor Congressman Stokes for his work in helping Cleveland to be designated as “Empowerment Zone” and his assistance to FRDC to help it complete the Bicentennial Village Project, the only legacy project for Cleveland’s Bicentennial. The project set the organization on a course for comprehensive redevelopment of the neighborhood with its goal of comprehensive integrated economic development activity engaging residents and stakeholders in the planning process.
