The Michigan Concrete Association recently recognized the City of Royal Oak with an Award of Excellence for streetscape improvements at Third, Fourth, Troy and Williams Streets.
The scope of the award-winning project included replacing existing sidewalks with decorative concrete and block, as well as the addition of trees, tree grates and site lighting. New underground utilities were also installed.
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) paid for the streetscape enhancements.
"The Planning, Engineering and Building Departments deserve kudos for their oversight of this project,” said Jay Dunstan, DDA chairperson. “It’s no surprise this award is headed our way"
The contractor, Angelo Iafrate Construction Co., took just two months complete the unique project, largely because of a great team effort that included city officials and Nowak and Fraus Engineers, the designer of the project.
“Everyone around the block is very excited about the streetscape project. We’ve all put a lot of effort, time and money into our businesses and it’s nice to see the area get the kind of attention it deserves,” said Jim Rasor, of the Rasor Law Firm. “It’s a well-designed project and it’s beautiful. It makes the entire area shine.”
And speaking of shining, Royal Oak also just earned a Gold Award in the category of Environmental Improvement and Landscape Design from the Michigan Green Industry Association (MGIA) for its 2013-2014 holiday display.
The city's dazzling energy-efficient LED lights were designed and installed by English Gardens.
The MGIA awards program was created to celebrate excellence in the fields of Landscape Design, Construction and Maintenance, Interiorscape, Irrigation, Landscape Lighting, Creative Horticulture, Water Features and Hardscape.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
