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 Related Information
Departments:
City Clerk
Planning

2007 Award Winners
2006 Award Winners
Former Sir Walter Raleigh Award Winners
Sir Walter Raleigh Award Online Entry Form

Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance

Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance


Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance


Since 1983, the Raleigh City Council has awarded more than 200 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance to developers, designers, building owners, community groups, civic clubs, churches and citizens that have made an outstanding contribution to the character, environment and appearance of Raleigh.

Award Categories

  • Residential: Awards for this category are open given for new residential development, conversion, or improvement made to existing residential areas. The entry may be for either single-family, or multi-family developments of single buildings or multiple structures.
  • Commercial: Awards in this category will be given for all types of new construction or adaptive use of existing non-residential development that are open to the public. This includes office and retail uses.
  • Historic Preservation / Rehabilitation: Awards in this category will be given for preservation or rehabilitation of existing buildings, especially Raleigh historic resources.
  • Community: Awards in this category are for any project which enhances the appearance of highly visible public areas of the City, including parks, streets, neighborhoods, and churches.
  • Institutional: Awards in this category are for local, state and federal projects including office, educational and transportation-related facilities.
  • Industrial: Awards in this category are for industrial, warehouse or corporate projects not normally open to the public that have a positive impact on the city’s visual environment.
  • Site Enhancement: This award honors otherwise utilitarian site elements (e.g., stormwater facilities, lighting, etc.) that, through exemplary design and/ or quality of construction, are made into public amenities. They may be associated with either existing or new development.
  • Tree and Landscape Conservation: Awards in this category are for projects that significantly preserve Raleigh’s natural features and trees.
  • Maintained Outstanding Appearance: Awards in this category are for projects that are over five years old and have consistently maintained a high quality appearance contributing to Raleigh’s image.
  • Individual: Awards in this category will be given to individuals who have consistently and over an extended period exhibited concern, leadership, and vision in preserving and improving the appearance and/or environment of the City.

 

Awards are made based on project merit, as determined by the selection criteria (see below). Awards are not necessarily made in every category, nor is there a predetermined number of awards in a category in any given year. Awards will be presented in the Fall.

Eligibility

Individuals or groups nominated for a Sir Walter Raleigh Award must be residents or maintain an established location in the City of Raleigh. All other nominees, programs or projects must be located in the City of Raleigh or its planning jurisdiction. All projects must be substantially complete within the last five years prior to submission, unless the submitted project is within the "Maintained Outstanding Appearance" category, and the "Individual" category, which honors long-term commitment to improving Raleigh's appearance.  Projects still under construction are not yet eligible.

Selection Criteria

Entries are evaluated using the following general criteria:

  • Exhibition of a new standard for excellence and an example for the future.
  • Demonstration of awareness of the importance of good community appearance and stewardship of the land.
  • Development of community involvement and innovation resulting in an improvement to the character, environment and appearance of the City.
  • Preservation or restoration of existing topography, trees and other desirable natural features.
  • Improvement upon an existing site or structure and preservation of important historic or cultural features.
  • Provision of attractive and safe conditions which meet and exceed requirements of applicable ordinances, policies, conservation areas and designated historic districts and properties.

For More Information Contact:
Doug Hill
Planner II
Planning Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 204
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2622