2020 Beautification Awards

The Tompkins County Community Beautification Program proudly presents the winners of this year’s Community Beautification Awards. Nominations were received this year in 3 categories: Residence, Business, and Placemaking (which involves any improvement or activity that reimagines and reinvents a public space to make it more appealing and useful). The submissions were reviewed by the Beautification Advisory Committee. Projects created or funded by the Community Beautification Program were not eligible for awards.

Residence

The Community Beautification Award for a Residence is presented to McGraw House. McGraw House residents worked many hours to establish and continue to maintain the gardens around the grounds at McGraw House. These gardens are visible to the South Geneva Street neighborhood. There are ponds, walkways, and container plantings around the complex, and a garden on the rooftop full of many colorful plants. Other Residences nominated for the award were: 202 Second St., 114 Dey St., 414 N. Aurora St., 415 Tioga St., 405 Lincoln St., 131 Upper Creek Road (Freeville), and 132 Cherry Road.

Business

The Community Beautification Award for a Business is presented to Mix Kitchen and Bar. Mix has made their outdoor seating area fun and colorful, with a planting of shrubs, annuals, and containers. Table umbrellas and a fountain complete the atmosphere. Other businesses nominated for the award were: Red Feet Wine Market, North Wood Apartments, 1706 Trumansburg Rd., and the Maguire Ford Dealership on Rt. 13.

Placemaking

The Community Beautification Award for Placemaking is presented to Ithaca Murals. Ithaca Murals is a network of people transforming gray walls into beautiful, meaningful works of art that tell stories of the diverse people who live here. Organizer Caleb Thomas has helped match walls with artists throughout the community, bringing more public art to Ithaca. More information can be found at ithacamurals.com. Other nominations received for the placemaking category were: Argos Inn, Permaculture Park Project at Conley Park, Silo Food Truck, Freeville Park and Ride, the patio in back of Trader K’s, and the Black Lives Matter Mural on Plain Street.