23 Texas Cities Earn Prominent Scenic City Certification in 2016

Cities recognized for excellence in scenic standards,

Total number of certified cities grows to 66

HOUSTON – A total of 23 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. Nine cities are now certified for the first time, and 14 are re-certifying or upgrading existing certification status, bringing the total certified cities in Texas to 66.

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.  “A detailed 360° analysis of existing infrastructure standards supplies cities with a roadmap for future growth and development. We are pleased that so many municipalities applied this year for either first-time certification or re-certification.”

Cities earning first-time certification or recertification in 2016 include:

Bee Cave*

Benbrook

Buda

Cedar Hill

Cibolo*

Denton

El Campo*

Fairview

Fort Worth*

Frisco

Heath

Hutto

Mansfield

Marble Falls*

McAllen

Nolanville*

North Richland Hills

Pearland

Pharr*

Richmond*

Roanoke

Shavano Park*

Webster

*Cities earning first-time certification

A reception to present these 23 municipalities with their Scenic City Certification will be held on October 6, 2016 in Austin, during the Texas Municipal League’s Annual Conference Week.

The Scenic City application process for the 2017 round of Scenic City evaluations opens January 1, 2017. 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, 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