Omaha, NE – 11 November 2021 – From atop the beautifully restored Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, more than 125 community leaders gathered to mark the 2021 LAURELS AWARDS presented by Omaha by Design. It was a joyous evening recognizing the inspiring individuals and organizations who are working tirelessly to make Omaha a more vibrant, livable city for all.
The night began with a cocktail reception set to incredible views from the Cottonwood’s Schimmel Ballroom, a space which has seen more than its share of Omaha history. A presentation of the 2021 LAURELS AWARDS followed, emceed by David Levy, President of the Omaha by Design Board of Directors.
Prior to the announcement of this year’s nominees, a hearty round of applause was also given in recognition of the 2020 LAURELS AWARDS winners, who were featured in a socially-distanced video series hosted by the awards’ Landmark Presenting Sponsor, Millwork Commons.
The LAURELS AWARDS – now in their 19th year – are designed to recognize the people and projects shaping our metro in inspiring ways. Nominations are made and voted upon by Omaha by Design’s Advisory Council. The awards, their descriptions, and the 2021 honorees are as follows.
Congratulations to all!
Access & Mobility Award
The Access & Mobility Award recognizes an individual, group, organization, or business that has worked to enhance the way we move around the city and how its neighborhoods connect to one another.
2021 Nominees:
- Heartland B-Cycle
- North Omaha & Beltline Trails | NORTH O: Spark CDI, Lamp Rynearson, City of Omaha Planning Dept., Papio-Missouri River NRD, National Park Service. | BELTLINE: Papio-Missouri River NRD, RDG Planning & Design, Ehrhart Griffin & Associates
- ORBT | Metro Transit
- Park Omaha | City of Omaha Parking & Mobility Division
2021 Recipient, Access & Mobility Award:
Environment & Open Space Award
The Environment & Open Space Award recognizes an individual, group, organization, or business that has worked to preserve or enhance the metro’s natural setting, park system, or open spaces.
2021 Nominees:
- Aksarben Village Pop-Up Park | Noddle Companies, HDR, Kinghorn Gardens
- Floating Bridge at Standing Bear Lake | City of Omaha Parks & Recreation, Papio-Missouri River NRD
- Miller Park Transformation | City of Omaha Parks & Recreation, Miller Park Minne Lusa Neighborhood Association
- Omaha Farmers Market | Vic Gutman & Associates
2021 Recipient, Environment & Open Space Award:
Neighborhood Revitalization Award
The Environment & Open Space Award recognizes an individual, group, organization, or business that has worked to preserve or enhance the metro’s natural setting, park system, or open spaces.
2021 Nominees:
- Blackstone District | Blackstone Business Association, Blackstone BID, GreenSlate Development, Clarity Development
- Millwork Commons | Black Dog Management
- Olde Towne Elkhorn | Olde Elkhorn BID, City of Omaha Public Works Dept., Vireo, R.W. Engineering
- Prairie Queen Missing Middle Housing | Urban Village Development, Opticos Design
2021 Recipient, Neighborhood Revitalization Award:
Young Urbanist Award
The Young Urbanist Award recognizes an individual, under the age of 45, who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to making our metro an even better place to live, work, and play.
2021 Nominees:
- Alexis Bromley | ONE Omaha
- Kevin Carder | City of Omaha Planning Department
- Oscar Duran | Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs
- Kene Okigbo | RDG Planning & Design
- Crystal Sierra | Canopy South
2021 Recipient, Young Urbanist Award:
The Laurels Award
The Laurels Award, Omaha by Design’s highest honor, recognizes an individual, organization, or business for significant contributions in furthering people-centered urban design and policy.
2021 Nominees:
- Laura & Michael Alley
- David Brown
- OPPD Board of Directors
2021 Recipient, The Laurels Award:
The evening culminated with presentation of Omaha by Design’s highest honor – the 2021 Laurels Award – to Laura and Michael Alley, who together have made quite a mark on this city by the many unique spaces they’ve designed with their colleagues at Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture. As impressive as that portfolio of work is, they’ve also demonstrated their values in making the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro a diverse and vibrant home for the arts, as can be seen in the Art+ Infrastructure installations spurred by Laura’s creative vision.
Congratulations to all the 2021 nominees and winners!
With special thanks to our sponsors, without whom the Laurel Awards would not be possible.
