Mayor Mary Verner and Dana Harbaugh, Design Review Board Chair, announced the 2011 winners of the Mayor’s Urban Design Awards. The program is intended to recognize and thank people who contribute to Spokane’s quality of life and help implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan through good urban design. “Spokane’s image is defined by how it’s seen and experienced from our walkways, streets, and other public places,” says Mayor Verner. “The Mayor’s Urban Design Awards recognizes those projects with noteworthy qualities in urban design.”

Award applications were judged against “the 15 qualities of good urban design in Spokane” that are consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan objectives and smart growth principles. The projects also must have contributed to the City’s quality of life. Applications were due Monday, Aug. 1. Projects must have been completed between Jan. 1, 2005, and Aug. 1, 2011 and not previously submitted.

Spokane’s Design Review Board did the initial screening of award applications and made recommendations to the Mayor, who made the final selections for projects including the Mayor’s Choice Award—the highest honor—or an Urban Design Merit Award. In addition, the public was able to choose their favorite.

The Mayor announced the Mayor’s Choice, Urban Design Merit, People’s Choice, and the Design Review Board’s Special Recognition categories awards at Monday’s City Council meeting. Mayor’s Choice Award (The highest honor for overall urban design excellence.): Spokane Public Market, Nystrom Olson Architecture. Urban Design Merit Awards (Distinguished work in meeting specific criteria for good urban design.):

---Kendall Yards Centennial Trail, Parks and Open Space Plan, Greenstone Homes and Neighborhoods.

----Shadle Park High School, NAC|Architects.

----Bissinger Building Addition & Remodel, Bernardo-Wills Architects. People’s Choice Award (Results of public voting during a three week display at River Park Square):

----Bissinger Building Addition and Remodel, Bernardo-Wills Architects. Design Review Board’s Special Recognition Categories (nominated by the Design Review Board for special acknowledgement):

-----Heritage Project for a design project that has significantly contributed to Spokane’s quality of life—Davenport Hotel.

-----Creative Citizen Award for a person or group whose work has enhanced Spokane’s urban fabric—Ron and Julie Wells.

Shrinking Lilac Award for a project that was not submitted for an award, but the Design Review Committee considers to be an example of design excellence—Main Market Co-op.

For more information go to the Mayor’s Urban Design Awards.

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