HSB takes the 'gold'
The City of Horseshoe Bay was presented with Scenic City Gold certification Thursday, Oct. 5, in Houston at an event held in conjunction with the Texas Municipal League’s annual conference.
Some 150 city officials and business leaders from across the state were on hand to recognize Horseshoe Bay, which was among 13 cities to earn certification for the 2017-2022 period.
The Scenic City Certification Program is a project of Scenic Texas Inc. and its program partners. Texas cities access this diagnostic program for an objective review of existing municipal infrastructure ordinances as they relate to public roadways and public spaces.
The evaluation compares the applicant city’s standards to the unique Scenic City model devised by the partnership organizations. Assessment is points-based, with every applicant city receiving a detailed, scored evaluation. Official certification can be earned by the cities that score in the upper range and meet stringent scenic streetscape standards.
Horseshoe Bay is the first city ever to have earned Scenic City certification three times, having first been certified in 2010, upgraded in 2011 and again in 2017, earning Gold certification. Horseshoe Bay’s assessment noted the city allows no billboards and its infrastructure plan requires all power lines be buried underground.
Points were also awarded because Horseshoe Bay works to protect the night skies for present and future generations through its membership in the International Dark Sky Association.
“Scenic City Certification shines a light on Horseshoe Bay’s strong commitment to high-quality standards for public roadways and public spaces,” said Anne Culver, executive vice president of Scenic Texas. “This recognition is intended to support cities that have a long-range vision, and we hope it incentivizes other cities to follow Horseshoe Bay’s example.”
“This award recognizes what Horseshoe residents already realize — that this is a very unique and beautiful place to live. It is no surprise that the city is in elite company with only a few other Texas cities earning this Gold designation,” said Horseshoe Bay Mayor Steve Jordan.
Scenic City Certification program partners include the American Planning Association-Texas Chapter, American Council of Engineering Companies of Houston, Houston-Galveston Area Council, Keep Texas Beautiful, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Scenic America, Scenic Houston, Texas Downtown Association, Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Municipal League, Urban Land Institute – Austin, Urban Land Institute – Houston, and Urban Land Institute – San Antonio.
Learn more at sceniccitycertification.org.
