Nominations in for city?s 2001 Landscape Awards

It's that time of the year again time for the city of Springfield's annual Landscape Awards. The 2001 awards mark the ninth year that the city has provided recognition for landscaping projects.

This year's nominations came from property owners, property owner associations, landscape nomination committee members, residents and planning and zoning members.

"The main requirement for all categories is that you're in the city," said Bobbi Ream, Planning and Zoning Committee member and chair of the Landscape Awards Committee. "If you're nominating a residence, the site has to be viewable from a public right of way. Also, the overall condition of a residential property must be appropriate."

No one's allowed to win two consecutive years in a row, Ream said, adding that the awards are "to recognize businesses and industries for their efforts in landscaping and for making Springfield a better place to live. Landscaping adds to the environment."

This year's judges include city planners Ron Carey and Ann Razer; Director of Planning and Development Fred May; Patrick Platter; Renee Tyson; Bob Balek, who works for the landscaping and grounds department at Southwest Mis-souri State University; and Ream.

A picture of each nominated property is included with the nomination form. The pictures will be presented to the city's Planning and Zoning Committee, which has the final say on who the winners will be. The judging is expected to be complete Sept. 13.

The winners' names will be announced at a city-sponsored banquet this fall. They will receive some recognition for their efforts, such as a plaque, yard sign or other designation. Ream said she is pleased with this year's nominations.

"We have very fine efforts," she said. "It's not going to be easy to choose a winner."

2001 Award Nominees

Category I: Improvement or Reha-bilitation of an Existing Site

Turner Mansion Antiques, 427 S. Grant

Bolivar Antique Company, 625 South Avenue

ESC Inc. Engineers & Architects, 1922 N. Broadway

Sign US, 639 W. Walnut

Category II: Retail Establishment or General

Artworx Salon, 938 E. Walnut

Red Lion Inn Motel, 1610 E. Ever-green

U-Pump Gas Station, 404 E. Central St.

Rio Bravo Cantina, 2040 E. Inde-pendence St.

Wendy's Restaurant, 225 W. Sun-shine St.

Category III: Manufacturing or Of-fice Establishment

American National Corporate Cen-tre, 2149 E. Sunshine St.

Swisshelm - Burger King Office Bldg., 2130 N. Glenstone

Towe Construction Co. Inc., 1915 N. Golden

Assemblies of God General Council Headquarters, 1445 N. Boonville Ave.

Category IV: Residential Subdivi-sion/Neighborhood or Mixed Use Development

This category looks at landscaping interspersed throughout a subdivision and either under common ownership or owned by the general developer. It also includes planned developments.

Elfindale Community, 1601 S. Fort Ave.

Old Monterey Apartments, 3108 S. Jefferson Ave.

Pebblecreek Apartments, 2835 S. Fort Ave.

Quail Creek Subdivision

Category V: Residence - Single-Family

Master gardeners (people either working with or who are a part of the University of Missouri Extension Cen-ter) will select approximately six winners out of 25 nominations.

Category VI: Public Properties

South Creek Greenway between Kansas Expressway and Scenic

Boonville Streetscape between Olive and Water streets

Four corners of Glenstone Avenue and Kearney Street owned and maintained by the Missouri Department of Transportation

Four corners of Glenstone Avenue and Sunshine Street owned and maintained by MoDOT

Category VII: Other

This category covers those sites and concepts not covered above. Landscap-ing in rights of way and parking lots may be included in this category.

Drury University Student Housing, 1313-1329 N. Benton Ave.

National Avenue First Christian Church, 1515 S. National Ave.

Central Assembly of God Church, 1301 N. Boonville Ave.

Rhodes College, 1010 W. Sunshine St.

Drury University parking lot, 1031 N. Benton Ave.

Median plantings (two blocks) along Primrose from Fremont Ave. east.