Cecelia Gore of Brewers Community Foundation (fourth from left) poses with finalists for the Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award: (from left) John Dargle of Milwaukee County Parks; Kimberly Gleffe and Emily Thornberg of River Revitalization Foundation; Pepper Ray of the Dominican Center for Women (representing Moody Park) and Stacy Swadish of Historic Milwaukee. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)

Laura Bray, LISC Milwaukee executive director, welcomes the crowd of MANDI finalists and community members. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)

Finalists in five categories will compete for the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI), which recognize people and projects working to make Milwaukee a great place to live, work, and play.

A 40-member volunteer committee selected the finalists from among nominees submitted by the public.

“The MANDIs provide an opportunity to celebrate Milwaukee’s diverse neighborhoods, and the many passionate, committed people working together to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities,” said Laura Bray, executive director of LISC Milwaukee. “These finalists represent the future of our city.”

Sponsored by U.S. Bank, in partnership with LISC Milwaukee, the MANDIs recognize individuals, organizations and corporations that are improving conditions in Milwaukee’s central city neighborhoods.

A sixth category, the “Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award” will be given to the finalist who receives the most votes from the public. Public voting will take place in March at the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service website.

The finalists in each category are listed below.

The BMO Harris Cornerstone Award recognizes an organization for its commitment and effectiveness over time.

• COA Youth & Family Centers
• Northside Housing Initiative
• Safe & Sound

The Northern Trust Navigator Award recognizes individuals for leadership and collaboration.

Jamie Reeve of Northern Trust Bank (right) poses with Dick Larsen (left) and Rodney Bourrage (center), finalists for the Northern Trust Navigator award, along with Larry and Sharon Adams, not pictured. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)

• Larry and Sharon Adams, Founders, Walnut Way Conservation Corp.
• Rodney Bourrage, Sr., Founder and Executive Director, Operation DREAM
• Dick Larsen, Community Volunteer and Retired President, Larsen Electric

The PNC Bank Trail Blazer Award recognizes an innovative approach to a community problem.

• ACTS Housing, Foreclosure Reclamation Project
• Rebuilding Together Greater Milwaukee
• The Wisconsin Cycle, First Stage

The State Farm Building Blocks Award recognizes a real estate project that advances the community.

• Maskani Place, Heartland Housing
• Paper Box Lofts, Sherman Associates
• St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care-Bucyrus Campus, St. Ann Center

The Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award recognizes a public space that helps build the community.

• Moody Park Revitalization, Milwaukee County Parks & Partners
• Doors Open Milwaukee, Historic Milwaukee, Inc.
• Turtle Park, River Revitalization Foundation

Winners will be announced at a gala on Wednesday, March 16, at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino.