Heart of Florida Project Awards
The APA Florida Heart of Florida Section is thrilled to announce the window for nominations for the section’s awards program is now open.
We’re excited to recognize the outstanding work our planners have achieved over the past year. Please read through the award categories carefully and choose the one that best fits your project nomination and fully complete and submit your application(s) by the due date indicated.
We look forward to seeing everyone again at this year’s annual meeting and awards ceremony.
Due date: November 21, 2024
Award Category Descriptions
Build IT! Award
Awarded to a project that is under construction or has been constructed/completed within the last year. The winning project should demonstrate innovative and unique features and have a high value and return on investment for the community.
Examples: Parks, community centers or complexes, redevelopment projects, streetscapes, historic preservation projects, retail or residential projects, environmental projects, green building projects, etc.
Plan IT! Award
Awarded to plans, studies, reports and/or analyses documentation that demonstrates sound planning principles. The top project will demonstrate good use of public funds and resources, be adopted by a public agency (local government), include goals and policies that result in improvements to benefit the community by increasing safety, improving quality of life, increasing travel choices, improving accessibility, offering a better development pattern, etc.
Examples: Redevelopment plans, transportation plans, comprehensive plans, neighborhood or other community plans, etc.
Jan Johnson – Needs More Cowbell! (Public Participation) Award
Awarded to a plan or project that effectively used public engagement strategies and techniques to shape and guide the recommendations and/or ultimate project design. The successful project in this category will demonstrate how emphasis on stakeholder involvement was used, how equity and inclusiveness was achieved, how the planning process was used to solve a challenge within the community, address a need, or promote public interest and participation.
Examples: Neighborhood, community or transportation corridor visioning, neighborhood or community improvement projects, innovative outreach initiatives, stakeholder engagement, partnership and relationship building, etc.
Practice IT! Award
This award is given to a planner or planning team in recognition of their use of best practices in the planning process. Recognized work could include development and implementation of a specific planning tool, program, project, or process that advances the practice of the planning profession. Emphasis is placed on results; how a solution was achieved, use innovation, cost savings, system or procedural improvement, simplifying a process for other planners, departments, and/or the public, etc.
Examples: automation of routine workflows, development of tools for easier access to information and data, leadership/champion role throughout development and implementation, dedication to improving the planning process and/or communicating the benefits of the planning profession, etc.