Mpls Downtown Improvement District

In the quest to bring more (plant) life to Minneapolis' concrete-and-asphalt dominated center of our city, the Downtown Improvement District (which employs those bright green-clad ambassadors) last week announced the winners of its second annual Greening and Public Realm Awards.

Plantings, window boxes, gardens, public spaces -- they all count toward a greener downtown. The winners:

Best Park, Large Scale: Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza.

Best Parking Lot Greening: Tom Oslund Associates, Elness Swenson Graham, the city of Minneapolis and Council Member Lisa Goodman for the 205 Park Av. parking lot.

Best Plaza: Alatus LLC, for the Plaza at the Loring Ramp.

Best Residential Greening, Large Scale: Carlyle Residents Association with Eufloria for entry planters.

Best Residential Greening, Small Scale: Francis Drake Hotel for window boxes and entryway.

Best Restoration: Minneapolis Community and Technical College for plaza restoration.

Best Sidewalk Café: Vincent and Brit's Pub for coordinated sidewalk planters and boxes.

Best Storefront Greening, Large Scale: Seven Steakhouse for storefront urns and pots.

Best Storefront Greening, Small Scale: JB Hudson for Nicollet Mall entry pots.

Best Streetscape Greening: Brighton Development, Julie Snow Design and Tom Oslund Associates for sidewalk tree pits at 200 Park Avenue Lofts.

Best Urban Agriculture: Episcopal Church of Gethsemane for Gethsemane Garden.

Most Engaging Storefront: Jeromeo for sidewalk pots, vegetable-herb garden and unique merchandise.

Source: http://www.startribune.com