Because Life Should Be Beautiful

Columbia Choice Awards

Since 1991, the Tree and Appearance Commission and Columbia Green have co-sponsor the Columbia Choice Awards which recognizes individuals, neighborhoods, schools and organizations whose work has significantly enhanced the appearance and quality of life of our Columbia environment.

Columbia Choice Awards are given in the following categories:

  • New Construction/Site Development - Recognizes new construction and site development projects that exemplify development excellence. Selection criteria include suitability for and enhancement of surrounding area; overall appearance and design; quality of landscaping; creative site planning; and innovative treatment of signage, utilities and infrastructure.
  • Renovation/Reuse - Recognizes excellence in restoration, renovation or adaptive reuse of an existing property. Selection criteria include creativity of use of existing site; adaptation to current building codes and standards; quality of landscape design; and innovative treatment of signage, utilities and infrastructure.
  • Site Beautification Management - Recognizes property that has, over time and in all seasons, demonstrated a commitment to excellence in maintenance, landscape design, consistency of visual appeal and enhancement of our surroundings.
  • Education - Recognizes any individual, school or organization which promotes attention to our urban environment, its beautification, maintenance and preservation. Selection criteria include overall visual enhancement, educational value, and/or heightened awareness of the environment.
  • Neighborhood/Community - Recognizes a civic, community or neighborhood organization whose effort has significantly added to the quality of life and beautification of a portion of Columbia. Selection criteria include overall visual effect, community participation, and perceived quality of life enhancement.
  • Special Achievement Award - Recognizes a government agency, community interest group, civic organization, business or individual who has made a significant contribution to the appearance of our community and to the overall quality of life in the city of Columbia.
For each winning project, recognition will be given, when appropriate, to both the project owner and the primary person or organization most responsible for the design, implementation or maintenance of the project. This person or organization shall be designated on the entry form. The jury reserves the right to forego conferring an award in any given category. More than one award may be given in each category at jurors' descretion. Click here to see a list of past Columbia Choice Award winners.

Download the registration form in PDF format or Word format.  Click here to download the brochure.

For further information, contact the City of Columbia Forestry and Beautification department at (803)545-3860 or by emailing sehollar@columbiasc.net.

This year, applications for the Columbia Choice awards are due by August 25, 2008. Award recipients will be revealed during a ceremony at The Big Apple at 1000 Hampton St. on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. Columbia Green members may attend this event free-of-charge, and there will be a nominal fee for non-members. More information coming closer to the event.  Check out our events page to stay up to date!