Robinson, Vaught Receive 2026 CID Awards

The Council for Quality Growth announced the recipients of its 17th Annual Community Improvement District (CID) Awards. The 2026 reception and award presentation will honor Jim Vaught, Chairman of Lilburn CID, and A.J. Robinson, president of Downtown Atlanta, Inc. The 17th Annual CID Recognition Event, presented by Georgia Power, Lilburn CID, and POND, will be held in November on a date to be announced soon.

The 2026 recipient of the CID Professional Excellence Award is Robinson, president of Downtown Atlanta, Inc., the recently combined brand of the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) and Central Atlanta Progress (CAP). Robinson is set to retire later this year after 23 years in the role. During his tenure, Robinson helped guide ADID’s work to make downtown Atlanta safer, cleaner, more connected, and more vibrant through investments in public safety, infrastructure, mobility, beautification, and placemaking.

Much of Robinson’s work with ADID has focused on transforming downtown’s public realm. Under his leadership, ADID expanded its Ambassador Force and Clean Team, providing supplemental public safety, hospitality, maintenance, and beautification services throughout the district. He also helped advance the revitalization of Woodruff Park, where ADID assumed stewardship of the park, improved its physical environment, expanded programming, and introduced new amenities and activities. ADID’s capital investments have included streetscape improvements, sidewalk and pedestrian enhancements, lighting, landscaping, public art, and other projects that improve the daily experience of downtown Atlanta.

Vaught and Robinson will be recognized and presented with their respective awards at the Council for Quality Growth’s Annual CID Recognition Event in November. Each year, the Council uniquely convenes the 30-and-counting Community Improvement Districts in the region to recognize the work they do year-round to enhance the quality of life here across Metro Atlanta and to support the newly established CIDs as they become activated across the state of Georgia. This is the 17th year the Council has held this event and presented the CID Awards.

For details about Community Improvement Districts, please visit www.CouncilforQualityGrowth.org/CIDs. Details for the Council’s 17th Annual CID Recognition Event will be announced and registration will open soon. Sponsorships are available now. To sponsor, please contact Briana Stewart at bstewart@councilforqualitygrowth.org.