ObD Awards Luncheon Jan. 27
January 21, 2010
OMAHA – Omaha by Design will recognize the winners of its 2009 trio of awards and present the 2009 installment of its highest honor – the Laurels Award – at its annual awards luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 27. The event will be held from 11:30am to 1:00pm at The Thompson Center at UNO.
Jay Noddle, president and CEO of Noddle Companies, will receive the Laurels Award. It is presented to an individual, organization or business that has made significant contributions to the creation of great public spaces in the metro. “Jay is a true community leader who has contributed his time and talents to countless projects designed to make Omaha a better city,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design.
Noddle was a member of both the working committee that created the Urban Design Element and the Technical Advisory Group that helped create the groundbreaking package of zoning code revisions and additions approved in 2007. He also served as the first chair of Omaha’s Design Review Board. Today, he is a member of the Environment Omaha Core Committee and chairs Environment Omaha’s Building Construction Advisory Committee.
Aksarben Village, Noddle’s signature development project, embodies the goals of the Urban Design Element and Environment Omaha, Spellman noted.
The awards luncheon also will recognize the 2009 recipients of Omaha by Design’s Green Leaf, Civic Leaf and Neighborhood Leaf awards.
The Green Leaf, which honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s natural setting and public park system, was awarded to Omaha’s right-of-way gardeners, the dozens who toil on traffic islands and create beauty in the public spaces between the city’s sidewalks and streets.
The Civic Leaf, which honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to define and improve the metropolitan area’s civic places and public image, was awarded to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and Omaha Plaza partnership.
The Neighborhood Leaf, which honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s residential neighborhoods, was awarded to two neighborhood associations – Deer Park and Old Market South – and two individuals – Bill Seidler Jr. and Syl Orsi – for their collective efforts to revitalize S. 10th Street.
For more information about the luncheon or awards, call 402.554.4010 or email info@omahabydesign.org.