Emory Morsberger, 2008

Emory Morsberger was selected as the recipient of the Georgia Cities Foundation's 2008 "Renaissance Award." He accepted the award at the Georgia Municipal Association's Annual Convention in Savannah on June 22.

The Renaissance Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to the revitalization of one or more of Georgia's cities. In choosing Morsberger, the selection committee noted the significant impact he made to the rehabilitation of downtown Lawrenceville. 

"The Foundation is thrilled to present Emory with this year's Renaissance Award," said Foundation President Mike Starr. "He is much more than a developer. With each project he undertakes, he has a clear and thorough vision that contributes to the economic and cultural vitality of a community." 

Morsberger served as a catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Lawrenceville through projects such as the Cornerstone on the Square, Aurora Theatre, Button Gwinnett Building, Lil' River Grill and the Morsberger Group office building, among others. His current projects include Ponce Place, a two million square-foot adaptive reuse of the Atlanta's City Hall East building, and the Brain Train, a 68-mile commuter rail running from Athens to Atlanta. 

"Both Ponce Place and the Brain Train are further examples of how he synergizes public officials, academia, art, culture, commerce, and history," said Starr. "Developers such as Emory are what the Foundation relies upon to create downtowns that are a destination to live, work and play." 

Previous recipients of the Foundation's Renaissance Award include: Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah; Ira and Libby Levy with several projects in downtown Rome; Hal and Priscilla Carter with projects in Sylvester, Bainbridge and Moultrie; NewTown Macon in Macon; and the Callaway Foundation in LaGrange.