More Honors for Farmington's Streetscape

The downtown Farmington streetscape project has received the American Public Works Association (APWA) Award for Historic Preservation from the local APWA branch.

In addition, the Michigan Chapter named the Grand River Avenue Streetscape its Project of the Year 2010 in the category of Streetscape Less than $5 Million.

The Project of the Year award was presented to Kevin Gushman, Director of Public Services, City of Farmington, at the APWA Michigan Chapter annual conference at Shanty Creek in Bellaire, MI.

“It’s an honor to receive recognition from one’s peers throughout the state,” Gushman said.

Engineering consultant Orchard Hiltz & McCliment, Inc., submitted the nomination to the Michigan chapter. Streetscape project manager was Roberto J. Scappaticci. Among the aspects of the project considered in the award were pedestrian signal design, the public process, Michigan Dept. of Transportation funding and grant application, traffic modeling and aesthetic improvements.

Landscape architects Grissim Metz Andriese Associates developed the plan that tied the brick paver design and other features to the central business district's historic buildings.

"Our main goal was to customize the Streetscape to enhance Farmington’s identity," Susan L. Grissim, ASLA, Principal and Director of Operations, said. "We had numerous early morning design meetings with the Main Street Design Committee to review all aspects of the new streetscape design. Because space was limited, we really focused on making each area fit to the existing buildings and uses to maximize Farmington’s character and usability for all. Another bonus is that the businesses embraced the updates and stepped up with numerous enhancements to their properties."

Rounding out major contributors to the project was the firm of Willson Steinkopf, who did the plantings.

The streetscape project also received the 2010 Michigan Plaque from Keep Michigan Beautiful, Inc. Later in the year, Gushman said, the streetscape will also be considered for an award at the national level of the American Public Works Association.