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Business Beautification Award program

Spring 2011 Business Beautification Winner

The Business Beautification program is for local businesses and organizations in the city that demonstrate above-average efforts in maintaining their property, thereby contributing to the overall beauty of the community at large.

If you think your business or organization is deserving of such an award, then this is the contest for you. This program is open to all business and not-for-profit organizations, including places of worship.

The winning entity will be selected by the general public using a valid e-mail address through an online voting system on the city's Web site. The purpose of the online voting system is to give greater exposure of each property/business which may also result in an increase of awareness and foot traffic at the facility.

See more detailed program guidelines and recommended judging criteria below.

Nomination and evaluation periods

Nominations must be submitted with no more than three photographs of the property, along with contact information, and may contain in 100 words or less a brief summary of why the property deserves recognition.

Nominations may be e-mailed to kpslb@cityofpsl.com. Please put "Business Beautification Award Nomination" and the property address in the subject line.

Or, if you prefer you can mail a nomination to:

Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful Committee
Business Beautification Program
121 S.W. Port St. Lucie, Blvd., Building B
Port St. Lucie, FL 34984

If you are not the owner of the nominated property, please be sure to make nominations only after obtaining consent from the property owner/manager.

Awards are issued in the following months:

• May (nomination period is the month of April)
• August (nomination period is the month of July)
• November (nomination period is the month of October)

To be considered for an award, nominations must be received by the last day of the nomination month.

The winning business will be announced by the KPSLB Committee approximately two weeks after the close of the nomination period.

Award

The owner of the winning property will receive an official "KPSLB Business Beautification Award" sign, to be displayed on the property until a new winner is announced by the Committee. In addition to recognition on the city's Web site and television station, the winner of the award will receive the following:

• $1,000 worth of advertising on Clear Channel radio
• One-year St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce membership

Program guidelines

1. All non-residential properties within the city limits are eligible.
   
2. The Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful Committee will identify the top 10 business properties based on the recommended judging criteria listed below.
   
3. Award winners are selected by the general public through an online voting system on the city’s Web site.
   
4. Key criteria include an environmentally friendly manicured property, beautification, originality and creativity.
   
5. An award term lasts for three months.
   
6. The same property cannot receive more than one award in the same rolling
   12-month calendar period.
   
7. Properties may be nominated by the businesses themselves or by city residents.

Recommended judging criteria

Candidates are judged on the total exterior appearance of their property as viewed from the street or parking area, i.e. curb appeal. All nominations will be considered for the top ten list. After the top ten list has been compiled each property will be listed on the city’s Web site for judging by the public for a specific period of time to be determined by the KPSLB Committee.

Factors include the overall appearance, tidiness and neatness of the front of the property as evidenced by pruned, trimmed and shaped foliage, edged and defined lawns, borders and flower beds, and a visually appealing facade.

Lawn: Healthy green grass is prevalent without excessive weeds. Grass shall be mowed and edged, and grass around foundations and fences shall be trimmed. Debris (garbage, pet feces, etc.) shall be picked up and removed. The ideal property will have a unified, simple and balanced landscape design that is neat and natural.

Landscape and flower bed: Beds are weeded, edged and mulched. Flowers deadheaded and dead plants removed. Trees and shrubs are pruned. Natural areas are cleaned. Beautification efforts are visible including flowers, trees, shrubs, etc. Plantings in scale with the surroundings and limited to a few different types of plants rather than too many which may confuse the eye.

Parking lots and walkways: Parking lots and walkways shall be clean and stain free (including trash containers or yard products removed from view). The front of the property is free from debris and dirt.

Aesthetics: Inviting look of front entryway (hanging baskets, pots, cleanliness etc.) Originality/creativity (any special touches e.g., statues, bird feeders, fountains, etc.)

Summary note: While lack of strict adherence to the criteria above does not necessarily result in a disqualification, these principles offer general guidelines that should be recognized by the general public when using the online voting system.