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Designing Local - SIGNED RECOMMENDATION (RFP24-029) - 04.22.2024

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CITY OF SMYRNA PUBLIC ART CONSULTANT PROPOSAL
1414
DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE
PROJECT INFO
THE ESSENCE OF ATHENS
CITY OF ATHENS, OHIO
RECOGNITION
Client:  City o
f Athens, Ohio
Role:   Prime C
onsultant
Time:  2014-2015
Team: MKSK (Sub-c
onsultant)
• 2015 Vernon Deines Award for an Outstanding Small Town Special Project Plan by the 
A
merican Planning Association’s Small Town and Rural Division
• 2015 D
onald E. Hunter Award for Excellence in Economic Development Planning for the 
American Planning Association 
• 2015 F
ocused Planning Project, Ohio Chapter of American Planning Association
• 201
4 Merit Award, Ohio Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
Athens, Ohio is a forward-thinking 
town that doesn’t shy away from new 
ideas. Its a unique place, tucked in 
a valley in the Appalachian foothills, 
but it knows it could be even more 
special.
Community leaders were keen 
to build upon their assets to help 
continue attracting new residents, 
tourists, and businesses as well as 
students to Ohio University. This is 
why they came together to discuss 
how to make Athens a 100% original 
community and an uncopyable city. 
The community was asked a simple 
question: “What is the Essence of 
Athens?” The collective answer 
helped the Designing Athens 
Committee understand and define 
the specific elements involved in 
making Athens an original city. 
Nearly 500 photos were contributed 
by the community. These photos 
represented what makes Athens truly 
special. Several essays were also 
submitted. 
Based on the community’s input, the 
committee agreed on a framework 
that should represent Athens in any 
new civic infrastructure projects 
and suggestions for commercial and 
residential development. 
Essence of Athens is a framework for 
ideas to create Athens-specific civic 
infrastructure (roads, sidewalk, lights 
and poles, parking garage, pavers, 
staircases, community spaces, signs, 
benches, and anything that can be 
used and seen). The meetings were 
passionate. Their ideas were amazing.
2015 APA OHIO AWARD, 
FOCUSED PLANNING 
PROJECT
2015 VERNON DEINES AWARD 
FOR AN OUTSTANDING 
SMALL TOWN SPECIAL 
PROJECT PLAN
2015 DONALD E. 
HUNTER AWARD FOR 
EXCELLENCE IN ECONOMIC 
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
2014 ASLA  OHIO 
MERIT AWARD, 
COMMUNICATIONS + 
RESEARCH
WHY HOW WHAT