Presenting the 2023 LAURELS AWARDS

For two decades, the LAURELS AWARDS have stood to recognize the people and projects shaping our metro in inspiring ways.

The 2023 LAURELS AWARDS

On the evening of November 2nd, over 200 people gathered under the stage lights of Steelhouse Omaha to celebrate the nominees and recipients of the 2023 Laurels Awards. We are thrilled to recognize the individuals and organizations building a more vibrant, livable city for all.

Nominations were submitted and winners selected by Omaha by Design’s Advisory Council. Please join us in congratulating both our nominees and winners for their contributions!

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.

Nominees:

E-Bike Fleet | Heartland Bike Share, City of Omaha Parking & Mobility Division
North Omaha Trail | Spark, Fabric Lab, Lamp Rynearson, The Union for Contemporary Art, Stable Gray, Sherwood Foundation, City of Omaha Parks & Recreation, Papio-Missouri River NRD
Parking Ecosystem Updates | Park Omaha

Recipient:

North Omaha Trail

Spark, Fabric Lab, Lamp Rynearson, The Union for Contemporary Art, Stable Gray, Sherwood Foundation, City of Omaha Parks & Recreation, Papio-Missouri River NRD

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.

Nominees:

Caden’s Corner | Various Community Groups, Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Residents of Omaha
Healing Roots African Diaspora Garden | Clarice Dombeck, North Omaha Trail, Fabric Lab, Blazing Star Seed Co-Op, Omaha Sunflower Co-Op
Hitchcock Park Expansion | Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol, Greater Omaha Trail Runnerz, Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, Pottawattamie County Conservation Board, Iowa West Foundation, Clifford & Donna Rahel
Mandan Park Trail Improvements | City of Omaha Parks & Recreation, PACE, Big Muddy Workshop, International Mountain Bike Association

Recipient:

Hitchcock Park Expansion

Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol, Greater Omaha Trail Runnerz, Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, Pottawattamie County Conservation Board, Iowa West Foundation, Clifford & Donna Rahel

The Neighborhood Revitalization Award recognizes an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve or enhance a neighborhood within our region.

Nominees:

Hanscom + Georgia Row Affordable Housing | inCOMMON Community Development, AO, Clarity Development
Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center and Harvester Artist Lofts | PACE, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, Artspace, Iowa West Foundation
La Vista City Centre | City of La Vista, City+Ventures, TACKarchitects, DLR Group, BVH Architecture, RDG Planning & Design, Slate Architecture, Olsson, Morrissey Engineering, EDSA

Recipient:

Hanscom + Georgia Row Affordable Housing

inCOMMON Community Development, AO, Clarity Development

The Young Urbanist Award recognizes an individual, 45 and under, who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to making our metro an even better place to live, work, and play.

Nominees:

Brandon Garrett | City of Council Bluffs
Clarice Dombeck | Spark
Emiliano Lerda | Elevator
Jewel Rodgers | Noddle Companies
Stephen Osberg | Paul G Smith Associates

Recipient:

Stephen Osberg

Paul G Smith Associates

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..

Recipient: