Mayor, Alexandria Beautification Commission Laud The Best and Most Beautiful in Alexandria for 2017 By Julie Moore
Mayor Allison Silberberg handed out the awards in categories including: Residential Beautification, Commercial Beautification, Community Beautification, Excellence in Sustainable Design, Green Practices in Beautification and Excellence in Architecture. Vice-Mayor Justin Wilson and Council Members Willie F. Bailey Sr, Del Pepper, and Paul Smedberg joined the Mayor for the award presentations.
Mayor Silberberg remarked, “I want to congratulate all of the winners tonight for the important work that they are doing to make Alexandria a more beautiful place to live and work, and for helping to create a greener and more sustainable City.” The Mayor noted that there were three schools among the winners – Maury Elementary School Playground, T.C. Williams Garden Club and Alexandria Country Day School – helping to create greener, brighter and more sustainable environments for students.
Commission Members noted that a trend seemed to be emerging among its award winners this year especially among large-scale projects – including schools, corporate campuses and apartment buildings.
ABC Commission Chair Denise Tennant said, “We are seeing importantly that sustainable and ecologically responsible design practices and principals CAN work hand-in-hand to create really beautiful landscapes. It’s a fantastic development for our City and for the environment.” She also held up award winners including Alexandria Renew and The Four-Mile Run Tidal Restoration Project as prime examples.
The Mayor, Members of The City Council, awardees and guests enjoyed a keynote address by noted Landscape Architect Michael Vergason. Vergason, who lives and works in Old Town highlighted a few projects across the globe and remarked on the impact that beauty can have and the importance of finding “one beautiful moment” in each of the projects he designs. To the delight of the audience, he also previewed his eagerly anticipated and impressive project just across the Potomac River – The DC Wharf at Washington’s Southwest Harbor.
The Beautification Commission members canvas the City each year looking for exceptional properties and projects. They also accept award nominations from the public at large. Do you know of a project that is worthy of nomination next year? Or want to join the Alexandria Beautification Commission? Get in touch at [email protected]
A full list of award winners follows below:
Excellence in Architecture
517 Prince Street
5445 Colfax Avenue
Excellence in Sustainable Design
LandDesign Inc., 200 South Peyton Street
Matthew Maury Elementary School, 600 Russell Road
Green Practices in Beautification
Mount Vernon Four Mile Run Tidal Restoration Project
Renew Alexandria Enterprises, 1500 Eisenhower Avenue
Commercial Beautification
The Bradley at Braddock Place Metro, 1260 Braddock Place
Alexandria Country Day School, 2400 Russell Road
Meridian Cameron Run, 3601 Eisenhower Avenue
Community Beautification
Parc Meridian at Eisenhower Station, 750 Port Street
Four Mile Run Conservancy Foundation, 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue
T.C. Williams High School Garden Club at Chinquapin
Residential Beautification
402 North Fayette Street
123 South Pitt Street
904-918 Franklin Street
142 Dale Street
725 Timber Branch Drive
211 Wesmond Drive
349 Cameron Station Boulevard
1600 Chapel Hill Drive
3916 North Stevens Street
