Awards
Omaha by Design Awards Program
Omaha by Design presents a series of annual awards honoring those who work tirelessly to improve the metro area’s physical and built environments. The Laurels Award, Omaha by Design’s highest honor, recognizes an individual, organization or business for significant contributions to great public spaces in the metro area. The Green Leaf, Civic Leaf and Neighborhood Leaf emphasize the goals of the city’s Urban Design Element, a planning tool that lays out a framework for changing the quality of development in Omaha while protecting and enhancing the city’s natural environment.
The Laurels Award
Past recipients:
- Mike McMeekin, president – Lamp, Rynearson & Associates Inc.
- Jay Noddle, president and CEO, Noddle Companies
- Alden Aust
- Steve Jensen, planning director, City of Omaha
- Mayor Mike Fahey
- Gary Gates, president, Omaha Public Power District
- Kathleen Jeffries, former chair and member, Omaha Planning Board
- Omaha by Design Place Game Facilitators
- Bruce Lauritzen, chairman, First National Bank
- City of Omaha Planning Department and Bob Peters, planning director (inaugural award)
The Green Leaf
The Green Leaf recognizes an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s natural setting and public park system.
Past recipients:
- Stinson Park
- City of Omaha Department of Public Works
- Omaha’s Right-of-Way Gardeners
- The Gallup Organization
- Douglas County Board of Commissioners (inaugural award)
The Civic Leaf
The Civic Leaf recognizes an individual, organization or business that has worked to define and improve the metropolitan area’s civic places and public image.
Past recipients:
- Anne Trumble - Stored Potential
- Omaha South High School’s Collin Stadium Project
- Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and Omaha Plaza
- Metropolitan Community College, Omaha Public Library, Metro Area Transit
- First National Bank (inaugural award)
The Neighborhood Leaf
The Neighborhood Leaf recognizes an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s residential neighborhoods.
Past recipients:
- Metcalfe-Harrison Neighborhood Association, Country Club Community Council
- Omaha’s community gardens
- Deer Park Neighborhood Association, Old Market South Neighborhood Association, Bill Seidler Jr. and Syl Orsi
- Community Bicycle Shop Omaha
- Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, Dietz United Methodist Church (inaugural award)
For more information about Omaha by Design’s Awards Program, call 402.554.4010 or email info@omahabydesign.org.