HOUSTON – August 8, 2017 – Today, 13 Texas municipalities have been awarded Scenic City Certification through the Scenic City Certification Program, a project of Scenic Texas. The Scenic City program supports and recognizes cities for commitment to high-quality scenic standards for public roadways and public spaces. Five cities are now certified for the first time, and eight are re-certifying or upgrading existing certification status, bringing the total number of certified cities in Texas to 71.
The Scenic City Certification Program is the first in the United States to incorporate a comprehensive set of model standards for design and development of public roadways and public spaces into one program. Cities apply to the program for a rigorous evaluation and scoring of existing municipal standards against the model. Those with the highest evaluation scores earn certification.
“Through the Scenic City Certification Program, cities access a valuable diagnostic tool,” said Anne Culver, executive vice president of Scenic Texas. “The detailed 360° analysis of existing infrastructure standards supplies cities with a roadmap for future growth and development. We are pleased so many municipalities participated this year, earning either first-time certification or re-certification.”
Cities earning first-time certification or recertification in 2017 include:
Bedford*
Bulverde*
Cedar Park
Colleyville
Cuero
Horseshoe Bay
Houston
Lancaster*
Leon Valley*
Lucas*
Plano
Richardson
Southlake
*Cities earning first-time certification
A reception to present these 13 municipalities with their Scenic City Certification will be held on October 5, 2017 in Houston, during the Texas Municipal League’s Annual Conference Week.
The Scenic City application process for the 2018 round of Scenic City evaluations opens January 1, 2018. Any incorporated Texas municipality may view the Program standards and application process by visiting www.sceniccitycertification.org.
Joining Scenic Texas as partners in the Scenic City Certification Program are the Texas Municipal League, Urban Land Institute – Austin, Urban Land Institute – Houston, Urban Land Institute – San Antonio, American Planning Association Texas, Houston-Galveston Area Council, American Council of Engineering Companies Houston, Keep Texas Beautiful, Texas Downtown Association, Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Historical Commission, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Scenic Houston and Scenic America.
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Scenic Texas is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the visual character of Texas. We promote enhanced design standards for public projects, sign regulation, freeway landscaping and scenic byway development. Visit www.scenictexas.org.
TEXAS CERTIFIED SCENIC CITIES
PLATINUM
Cedar Park
Fairview
Flower Mound
Frisco
McKinney
Missouri City
Richland Hills
Plano
Richardson
Roanoke
Rockwall
Southlake
GOLD
Bee Cave
Belton
Benbrook
Buda
Cedar Hill
Cibolo
Cuero
Denton
Dripping Springs
Fort Worth
Georgetown
Heath
Horseshoe Bay
Hutto
Keller
Lakeway
Lancaster
Mansfield
Mesquite
Pearland
Pflugerville
Sealy
South Padre Island
Sugar Land
Westlake
SILVER
Bulverde
College Station
Colleyville
El Campo
Granbury
Grapevine
Houston
Irving
McAllen
Nolanville
Waxahachie
West University Place
BRONZE
Bastrop
Beaumont
Bedford
Corinth
Friendswood
La Vernia
Leon Valley
Marble Falls
Nassau Bay
Richmond
Webster
RECOGNIZED
Double Oak
Kennedale
Lucas
Magnolia
Pilot Point
Pharr
Prosper
Seabrook
Shavano
Park Taylor
West Lake Hills