Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

2011 Environmental Awards


The City of Raleigh is now accepting nominations from the public for the 2011 Environmental Awards. The Awards Ceremony will be held April 21, and the deadline for nominations is January 19.

This year, awards will be given in the following twelve categories.
  • The Raleigh Environmental Stewardship Award is an overall award for an individual or organization that has shown leadership in sustainable development.

  • Environmental Awareness in Leadership or Teaching awards demonstrated leadership or teaching about the environment.

  • The Legacy Award recognizes a lifelong contribution to the environment by a person or organization.

  • The Natural Resource Conservation Award recognizes a substantial conservation effort of our water, wastewater, reuse water, residuals and biosolids, air quality, or stormwater.

  • The Green Design Award recognizes sustainably built structures, and green innovation in design and construction.

  • The Regional Award recognizes air quality improvements in surrounding areas.

  • Pioneering Efforts are recognized in any environmental area.

  • The Market Transformation Award is given to manufacturers, retailers, or marketers who promote products, services, and choices that lessen the impact on the environment and health.

  • The Urban Stewardship Award recognizes an individual that volunteers in a community to lead sustainable programs.

  • The Water Efficient Landscaping Award is a first-time award that will be given to recognize a project or organization for water conservation or truly efficient landscaping.

  • The Institutional Innovation Award will honor a government entity that has been innovative in environmental stewardship.

  • Several of our communities youth are also recognized for their efforts in environmental stewardship.

Nomination forms and more information about the 2011 Environmental Awards are available here.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Moore Square's Future


On December 16, the site model for the Preliminary Draft Master Plan for Moore Square will be released! At 5:00 on December 16, at Chavis Community Center, Chris Counts and City Staff will be on hand to unveil the preliminary plan. Chris Counts, of Christopher Counts Studio, was the winner of the Moore Square Redesign Competition. He was done a great job of working with City Staff and gathering public input to form his design. After the site plan is released, there will be a question and answer session.

The feedback from the event will be used to put together the Moore Square Draft Master Plan and Report, to be released in early January.

Hope to see you all there!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Two Great Workshops Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, there are two great workshops being held. The first is being hosted by the Arts Commission. The workshop is aimed at non-profit organizations that are interested in applying for a 2011-2012 arts grant from the City. The workshop will review grant guidelines, application process, and the legal and financial requirements of grant recipients.

We have a great system with our Arts Grants Programs, and since 1989, more than $19 million has been distributed to qualifying organizations! The workshop will be held on December 2, from 8:30am to 1:00pm at the Urban Design Center, located at 133 Fayetteville Street. For more information about the workshop, and the Arts Commission, please click here.

The second workshop will focus on the future of New Bern Avenue. Since New Bern Avenue is one of Raleigh's most heavily used corridors, and the workshop will focus on the portion between Swain Street and Wake Medical Center. Discussion will center on ways to improve New Bern Avenue, specifically through support of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit use along the corridor, and economic development in the area.

The workshop will be held from 7:00 to 9:00pm at Milner Memorial Presbyterian Church, located at 1950 New Bern Avenue. For more information, please click here.