Spokane Mayor Mary Verner says the city is seeking applications for this year's Mayor's Urban Design Awards program.

The program, started in 2007 by former Mayor Dennis Hession, is intended to recognize and thank those who contribute to Spokane's quality of life and help implement the city's comprehensive plan through good urban design, the city says. Applications are due by noon on Monday, Aug. 3, and eligible projects must have been completed between Jan. 1, 2003, and Aug. 3, 2009.

Those interested in submitting a project for consideration can pick up registration forms at City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., or download an entry form on the Web at www.spokaneplanning.org.

"Spokane's image is defined by how it's seen and experienced from our walkways, streets, and other public places," Verner says about the impact urban design has on the community.

Ken Van Voorhis, a principal at Sherry Pratt Van Voorhis PS, a landscape architectural firm here that received three design awards in the competition in 2007, says the program is a good way to "recognize people that have gone above and beyond" in the design of projects here. "These are the kinds of things that will make people remember Spokane," he says.

The landscaping and exterior design projects for which the firm won its three awards were the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena; the Hawkins Edwards Office Building, at 225 W. Main; and the Wall Street Pedestrian Mall, located in the heart of downtown.

The entries are divided into two categories—completed projects, and visions and master plans—but separate awards will be given in each category for projects inside and outside of Spokane's city limits.

Most categories will likely feature multiple winners, and the total number of awards given will vary depending on how many submissions are received, says Julie Neff, an employee of the city's planning services department.

The highest honor awarded is the Mayor's Choice award, followed by the Urban Design Merit award. The city's 11-member design review committee will examine the submissions and make recommendations to the mayor, who will make the final decisions on awards.

In addition to advising the mayor, the design review committee will select projects for special acknowledgement in three separate categories—creative citizen(s), which is a person or group whose work has enhanced the city's urban fabric; the heritage project, given for a design that has contributed to the quality of life here; and the "shrinking lilac" recognition, which is given to a designer or developer who, in the eyes of the committee, was too modest to submit their own excellent work.

Projects chosen for these awards are nominated by the design review committee with the request that the mayor recognize its choices, though the final decision is still the mayor's.

The public will play a hand in the awards program by selecting the winner of the People's Choice award. Each submission will have a presentation board on display at River Park Square from Aug. 24 to Sept. 16, and residents will be able to cast a vote for their favorite project.

To be considered for an award, a project must use some or all of 15 qualities of good urban design, which include traits such as community enhancement, connectivity, accessibility, and variety. The mayor's call for entries says projects of all types—large or small, public or private—will be considered if they meet entry requirements.

"This truly is a celebration of people's creativity and innovation," says Tom Arnold, a principal in the Spokane office of Coffman Engineers Inc. and a member of the city's design review committee. He says urban design is of great importance and serves to integrate buildings with public spaces, as well as to add character to a community.

Award winners will be announced at a meeting of the Spokane City Council in late September.

Neff, from the city's planning department, says the design awards were well-received in 2007. She says the city of Spokane plans to hold the design awards every other year.