Nominations Sought for 2008 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards

May 8, 2008

The City of Raleigh is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance.

The awards annually honor the projects and people that have made a difference toward enhancing Raleigh’s visual character, natural environment and livability. The deadline for this year’s nominations is Thursday, June 5 at 5 p.m.

Award categories include:

• Residential -- presented to new multi-family or multi-dwelling developments and neighborhoods;
• Commercial -- for new office or retail development;
• Historic Preservation / Rehabilitation -- recognizing outstanding rehabilitation of existing buildings, especially Raleigh historic resources;
• Community -- for projects which enhance highly visible public areas of the city, including parks, streets, neighborhoods, and churches;
• Institutional -- for new local, state and federal development projects, including office, educational and transportation-related facilities;
• Industrial -- offered to industrial, warehouse or corporate projects not normally open to the public that have a positive impact on the city’s visual environment;
• Site Enhancement -- recognizing otherwise utilitarian site features (such as stormwater facilities, lighting, etc.) that through outstanding design serve as public amenities;
• Tree and Landscape Conservation -- awarded to efforts that significantly preserve Raleigh’s natural features and trees;
• Maintained Outstanding Appearance -- for projects more than five years old that have consistently maintained a high-quality appearance; and,
• Individual - honoring individuals who over an extended time have exhibited concern, leadership, and vision in preserving and improving the appearance of the city.

To be considered, projects must be located in the City of Raleigh or its planning jurisdiction. Individuals must be residents or maintain an established location in the Raleigh. In addition, building projects must have been completed prior to the nomination deadline.

Recipients are chosen based upon their modeling a new standard of excellence, stewardship of the land, community involvement, innovation, preservation of natural, historic, and cultural features, and going beyond required City standards.

Selection is made by an independent jury, with confirmation provided by the Raleigh City Council. This year’s awards will be presented in early September as part of the opening week events at the new Raleigh Convention Center.

Nominations may be submitted online at http://www.raleighnc.gov/SWRNomination. Printed nomination forms are also available by contacting the City of Raleigh Department of City Planning at 516-2622.

The Raleigh Appearance Commission coordinates the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance.