Number of Texas Certified “Scenic Cities” Grows to 85
AUSTIN, TX – October 9, 2020 – Scenic Texas today announced 19 Texas cities have been recognized as 2020 Certified Scenic City award recipients through the Scenic City Certification Program, a program of the statewide nonprofit and its 18 partner organizations.
The Scenic City Certification Program recognizes cities for their demonstrated commitment to high-quality scenic standards for public roadways and spaces. Two cities have earned certification for the first time and 17 are recertifying or upgrading existing status, bringing the number of certified cities across Texas to 85.
“In 2020, as Texans found themselves investing and spending more time in their neighborhoods and their communities, the Scenic City designation became a reflection of communities working to make a more scenic Texas for residents and visitors alike,” said Sarah Tober, Scenic Texas Executive Director. “The certification process itself provides cities with a roadmap for future growth and development, and we are confident that more and more cities will be seeking out these kinds of roadmaps as Texans continue to shift our focus to improving our surroundings.”
The Scenic City Certification Program is a nationally recognized, one-of-a-kind model, developed to provide communities with a comprehensive set of standards and evaluations for the design and development of public roadways and spaces.
Cities earning first-time certification or recertification in 2020 and their rankings are:
Baytown (New) | Bronze
Celina (New) | Platinum
Princeton (Ranked Up) | Bronze
Lakeway (Ranked Up) | Platinum
Belton (Recertified)| Gold
Cuero (Recertified)| Gold
Granbury (Recertified) | Gold
Marble Falls (Recertified)| Gold
Sealy (Recertified) | Gold
South Padre Island (Recertified) | Gold
Sugar Land (Recertified)| Gold
Westlake (Recertified) | Platinum
Georgetown (Recertified) | Platinum
Missouri City (Recertified) | Platinum
Pflugerville (Recertified) | Platinum
Magnolia (Recertified) | Recognized
Pilot Point (Recertified)| Recognized
Irving (Recertified) | Silver
Nassau Bay (Recertified)| Silver
The Scenic City application period for 2021 opens January 1, 2021. Any interested Texas municipality may go online now to review the Program standards and application process at www.sceniccitycertification.org.
Any Texas city may apply to the Scenic City Certification Program for an objective review of its existing municipal infrastructure ordinances as they relate to the model standards. Assessment is points-based, and every city applicant receives a detailed, scored evaluation that identifies both strengths and areas for improvement. Official certification is earned by cities that score points in the upper range and meet threshold standards for landscaping, tree planting, and sign regulation.
Joining Scenic Texas as partners in the Scenic City Certification Program are the Texas Municipal League, Urban Land Institute — Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, American Planning Association Texas, American Society of Landscape Architects Texas, Houston-Galveston Area Council, American Council of Engineering Companies Houston, Hill Country Alliance, Keep Texas Beautiful, Texas Downtown Association, Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Historical Commission, Association of Rural Communities in Texas (ARCIT), Texas Association of Regional Councils, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Scenic Houston, and Scenic America.
Through the Scenic City Certification Program, Scenic Texas provides educational resources to Texas cities that are establishing or revising ordinances that impact the streetscapes. Additionally, Scenic Texas supports urban forestry projects, tree planting and preservation initiatives, the creation of scenic roads and districts, the establishment and funding of parks and green space, the forestation of our highways, and the preservation of historic areas.
###
Scenic Texas, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our state’s visual environment, particularly as seen by the traveling public.
Scenic Texas is an affiliate of Scenic America.
