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Durham, N.C. – Last night, 12 winners of the 2009 Golden Leaf Awards were honored during the seventh annual Golden Leaf Awards Ceremony for the best visual contributions to the Durham community. 

The goal of the awards program, co-sponsored by the Durham City/County Appearance Commission and Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc., is to acknowledge and encourage design and maintenance that contributes to the visual beauty, sustainability, and usability of the Durham community. 

According to Nakira Carter, chairwoman of the Golden Leaf Awards Committee, this year’s winners are shining examples of how appearance is important and vital in a community.  “Our nominations this year stressed quality over quantity.  The winners all contribute in various ways to improving Durham as a community, as a space where people live and work and play,” Carter said.  “All the nominees, and especially our winners, show a commitment to giving the people of Durham an obvious visual reason to be proud of their community.  They are a great role model for all Durham residents.”

This year 46 entries in the following four categories were received:  Community Properties, Commercial Properties, Residential Properties, and Sustainable Properties.  The 2009 Golden Leaf Awards Winners honored last night were:

Commercial Properties
Honor:            The Republik
Merits:            Pavilion East at Lakeview; Quintiles Tower

Community Properties
Honor:            Durham Station Transportation Center
Merits:            Durham Performing Arts Center; Birchwood Community Center

Residential Properties
Honor:            Trinity Park Townhomes
Merits:            Southpoint Village; 1106 Anderson Street

Sustainable Properties
Honor:            Golden Belt
Merits:            Kings Daughters Inn; National Computer Center

Judging was done by an independent panel of local professionals representing architecture, landscape architecture, development, and the arts community.  Selection criteria included excellence in design of a new development and/or improvement of an existing structure; raising community awareness of the value of good appearance and stewardship; improving the character, environment, or livability of an area; and a commitment to ongoing property maintenance in landscaping, signage, and general upkeep.

The Durham City-County Appearance Commission is a 15-member volunteer advisory board that provides leadership, expertise, and oversight in the promotion of design excellence, visionary planning, and preservation of the best and most livable community standards.  Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization working to engage and inspire individuals to take greater responsibility for their community environment.

For additional information about this year’s ceremony, contact Lisa Miller, planner/urban designer with the Durham City-County Planning Department, at (919) 560-4137, extension 270 or via e-mail at lisa.miller@durhamnc.gov.