Omaha, NE – November 15, 2019 – During an evening event overlooking the glittering lights of downtown Omaha and the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, guests marveled at the view from the third floor of River’s Edge Building One in Council Bluffs. The scene fit the occasion as Omaha by Design presented the 2019 Laurels Awards, re-introducing the signature event after a three-year hiatus.
The Laurels Awards – now in their 18th year – are Omaha by Design’s long-running community awards series, recognizing the best in people-centered urban design happening across the Omaha metro.
The evening began with a cocktail hour featuring drinks by Mercury and small plates by Maven Social. A presentation of the Laurels Awards followed, emceed by David Levy, Vice-President of the Omaha by Design Board of Directors.
The Laurels Awards are designed to recognize the breadth of actors involved in creating an ever more vibrant, livable city for all. Nominations are made and voted upon by Omaha by Design’s Advisory Council. The awards, their descriptions, and the 2019 honorees are as follows:
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.
2019 Nominees:
- Gene Leahy Mall Public Art & Materials Relocation | City of Omaha Parks & Recreation
- LED Streetlight Conversion | OPPD • City of Omaha Public Works
- River’s Edge Pavilion | City of Council Bluffs • Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture
- South Omaha Trail | City of Omaha Parks & Recreation • City of Omaha Public Works • Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District
2019 Recipient, Environment & Open Space Award:
South Omaha Trail | City of Omaha Parks & Recreation • City of Omaha Public Works • Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District
Neighborhood Revitalization Award
The Neighborhood Revitalization Award recognizes an individual, group, organization, or business that has worked to preserve or enhance a neighborhood within our region.
2019 Nominees:
- Benson Out Back | Benson Neighborhood Assoc. • BFF • Habitat for Humanity
- Highlander | Seventy Five North Revitalization Corp • Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture
- Little Bohemia | PJ Morgan Real Estate
- New North Makerhood | Future Forward
- North Omaha Mural Project | Union for Contemporary Art
2019 Recipient, Neighborhood Revitalization Award:
New North Makerhood | Future Forward
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.
2019 Nominees:
- Downtown & Midtown Mobility Survey | Verdis Group
- Electric Scooter Pilot | City of Omaha Parking & Mobility Division
- TravelSmart | UNMC • Nebraska Medicine • Verdis Group
- Pedestrian Bridge at the Atlas | Creighton University • NuStyle Development • HDR
2019 Recipient, Access & Mobility Award:
TravelSmart | UNMC • Nebraska Medicine • Verdis Group
The Young Urbanist Award
New for 2019, 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.
2019 Nominees:
- Alexis Bromley | Executive Director, ONE Omaha
- Manne Cook | Neighborhood Planner, City of Omaha
- Dusty Davidson | Co-founder & CEO, Flywheel
- Kellie Johnston-Dorsey | Choice Neighborhoods Manager, City of Omaha
- Sarah Moylan | Senior Director – Talent, Greater Omaha Chamber
- Jason Rose | Outreach Coordinator, Metro Transit
2019 Recipient, Young Urbanist Award:
Manne Cook | Neighborhood Planner, City of Omaha
A special moment took place as Connie Spellman, Founding Director of Omaha by Design (2001-2015), presented a heartfelt tribute to the late Del Weber. Connie’s words warmly described Del’s character and lasting impact – as one who was foundational not only in the establishment of Omaha by Design, but also in so many of the successes which today define our metro’s look and feel. It is in Del’s honor that the final award of the evening, the 2019 Laurels Award, was presented.
The Laurels Award
The Laurels Award, Omaha by Design’s highest honor, recognizes an individual, organization, or business for significant contributions to great public spaces in the region.
2019 Nominees:
- Mercer Building • M’s Pub Restoration | Mercer Management • BVH Architecture
- Seventy Five North Revitalization Corp.
- Flywheel
2019 Recipient, The Laurels Award:
Seventy Five North Revitalization Corp.
Congratulations again to each of the nominees and award winners!
Omaha by Design would especially like to thank the sponsors and individual donors who made the 2019 Laurels Awards possible, including:
