Presenting the 2024 LAURELS AWARDS

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

The 2024 LAURELS AWARDS

The LAURELS AWARDS celebrate the people and projects shaping our metro in inspiring ways. Omaha by Design’s signature awards show brings together over 200 civic leaders, city builders, and community visionaries.

Over 240 people joined us at the region’s first hybrid timber building, 1501 Mike Fahey, in the emerging Builders District on Wednesday, October 16th.

Please join us in congratulating our nominees and recipients!

Nominations were submitted and recipient voted upon by Omaha by Design’s Advisory Council.

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:

Baby Bob Bridge | Downtown Riverfront Trust, Back to the River Foundation, City of Omaha, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District
ConnectOmaha Active Mobility Plan | City of Omaha, Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency
Platte River Bridge Trail | Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency
Vision Zero Omaha | City of Omaha

Recipient:

Baby Bob Bridge

Downtown Riverfront Trust, Back to the River Foundation, City of Omaha, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District

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:

Eric Williams | Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District
La Vista Central Park & Astro Amphitheater | City of La Vista, City+Ventures, RDG Planning & Design
Skate Ribbon at Heartland of America Park | MECA, OJB Landscape Architecture, Kiewit Infrastructure, HDR
Verdis Group

Recipient:

Skate Ribbon at Heartland of America Park

MECA, OJB Landscape Architecture, Kiewit Infrastructure, HDR

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

Nominees:

Baldwin Court Affordable Housing | Habitat for Humanity, Iowa Finance Authority
Castle & Cathedral Creative District | Joslyn Castle & Gardens, Cathedral Arts Project, Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Association, Cali Commons
Dundee Bank Historic Renovations | Dundee, Blackstone, Little Bohemia & Benson Branches
No More Empty Pots Greenhouse | No More Empty Pots, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture

Recipient:

Dundee Bank Historic Renovations

Dundee, Blackstone, Little Bohemia & Benson Branches

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:

Anayeli Martinez Real | Kiewit Building Group
Cale Brodersen | City of La Vista
Davielle Phillips | Holland Basham Architects
Jake Hoppe | Hoppe Development
Leslie Smith | Omaha Municipal Land Bank

Recipient:

Jake Hoppe

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.