Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued the following statement in response to the Chicago Riverwalk and the Chinatown Branch of the Chicago Public Library receiving recognition from the Architizer A+ Awards. The Chicago Riverwalk was recognized in the Architecture + Urban Transformation category, and the Chinatown Branch Library was recognized in the Institutional-Libraries category. The Architizer A+ Awards is the largest awards program focused on promoting and celebrating the year’s best architecture and products. “The Chicago Riverwalk has redefined how people interact with the Chicago River, creating stunning new spaces that feature a variety of opportunities for recreation, education and entertainment. Similarly, the Chinatown Branch Library is a beautiful, modern design that is a model for what a neighborhood library should be. By honoring the Riverwalk and the Chinatown Branch, the Architizer A+ Awards recognizes what Chicagoans already know – that these important urban investments are quickly becoming some of the city’s architectural gems. Congratulations to Ross Barney Architects, Sasaki and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP for this well-deserved recognition.”