5th Annual Better Models Awards

February 22, 2005

VALLEY CONSERVATION COUNCIL HONORS CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

The Valley Conservation Council (VCC) announced the recipients of the 2004 "Better Models" awards at its annual awards ceremony February 22. Also honored were those named "Valley Conservators" for their outstanding land conservation efforts.

Named after Valley Conservation Council’s publication, Better Models for Development in the Shenandoah Valley, the "Better Models" awards recognize buildings and projects that protect local character and natural features while encouraging economic growth. The winners were chosen from nominated entries, using the Six Principles for Better Development outlined in the book as criteria. VCC established the awards program in 2000 to recognize recent development projects that best add to the region’s quality of life.

Valley Conservation Council, based in Staunton, Virginia, is a non-profit citizens’ organization and land trust serving 11 counties from Frederick to Botetourt. The organization's mission is to promote land use that sustains the farms, forests, open space, and cultural heritage of the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia.

2004 Better Models Award Winners:

Hill Top Master Plan & Zoning District, City of Buena Vista
for "Best Community Planning"

The City of Buena Vista has proactively set the pattern and quality of development it wants for its most important open land, a tract originally slated for an industrial park. The first step was the Hill Top-Glen Maury Park Master Plan Park, which calls for a compact, walkable, mixed-use development with access to prime open space (public golf course and a major park). Buena Vista incorporated this master plan into the city’s Comprehensive Plan and, even more significantly, adopted the Hill Top Zoning District to implement the master plan. These regulations, in the form of design guidelines, will govern development of the residential and mixed-use area. The city is reviewing development proposals and expects construction to begin this year.

South Main Street Biofiltration & Bioretention Project, City of Lexington
for "Outstanding Resource Protection Project"

Lexington has enhanced its southern gateway with an environmental twist. South Main Street, an uninspiring corridor with minimal landscaping, was redeveloped with expanded plantings and more attractive signs. The result: a clearly delineated entrance to the City and improved appearance of the commercial enterprises. The landscaping, designed according to low-impact development (LID) principles, reduces stormwater runoff from roads and parking lots and filters out pollutants through the use of ‘biofiltration’ and ‘bioretention’ beds. This creative solution integrates two of Lexington’s major initiatives: 1) redeveloping and enhancing commercial entrance corridors and 2) improving water quality in the Woods Creek watershed.

Cobble Hill Farm, City of Staunton
for "Best Historic Preservation Project"

By placing a historic easement on Cobble Hill, a 196-acre sheep and hay farm on the outskirts of the City of Staunton, Harriet Hanger has preserved a unique and historic farm while also retaining extensive natural and scenic assets in the city. The farm, featuring a 1936 Tudor Revival manor house and other buildings designed by noted architect Sam Collins, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historic elements are two tenant farmhouses, a dairy barn, and numerous agricultural outbuildings. By the terms of the easement, which is held by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, these structures cannot be demolished and any changes must be in keeping with the historic character of the property. Staunton City Council unanimously supported the easement.

Alicia Group Showroom & Studio, Woodstock
for "Best Adaptive Reuse"

In a dramatic reclamation of one of Woodstock’s key retail buildings, Alicia and Robert Brewin turned a 1940s auto parts and service store into a beautiful mixed-use building. The ground floor contains Alicia Group Showroom and Studios, an interior design firm. The large storefront windows have been preserved and now display a variety of art, furniture, and design accessories. The upstairs was renovated into apartments, which have attracted young professionals to live downtown. Local historic renovator Bill Wine was the designer and contractor. The building has since changed hands, with the current owner, Pat Koch, keeping the name and the vision.

Mt. Jackson Town Hall, Town of Mount Jackson
for "Best Public Building"

The Town of Mt. Jackson sets the standard with public buildings with its attractive and functional Town Hall. The building uses a design reminiscent of the old railway station that once stood nearby. It houses town offices, the town library, a visitors center, and the Mount Jackson museum. It also has meeting space available to the public. By its central location and the integration of a full range of community facilities, the building reinforces the principle of growing in, not out. The Mather-Barras firm of Harrisonburg served as the architects.

Market Place / Court Square Theater Harrisonburg
for "Outstanding Public-Private Development Project"

The renovation of the Rockingham Motor Company / Woolworth’s buildings into a prosperous mixed-use complex with aesthetic appeal and respect for Harrisonburg’s unique history is a success story on many levels. The Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority worked with two private developers, Dan Brubaker and David Turner, to reuse these two large, vacant buildings in the core of downtown. The buildings were joined to form a large interconnected mixed-use space with shared entrances. The Market Place (the former Woolworth’s) houses Calhoun’s restaurant and microbrewery, government offices, conference rooms, and outdoor dining. The Rockingham Motor Company has been converted into Court Square Theater on one side and businesses on the other. All of the businesses are locally owned and operated.

Valley Conservator Awards
Valley Conservator awards recognize outstanding individuals who have furthered the work of land or resource protection.

James F. Brown, Lexington
Jim Brown, a Rockbridge County realtor, has been a strong advocate for easements, selling the concept of easements as he markets properties for sale as well as encouraging friends and family to consider easements. Over the past 15 years, he has been responsible for initiating easements on numerous properties, including Chapel Hill, his ancestral home in Augusta County, a 500-acre farm near Goshen, properties on and around Jump Mountain totaling more than 1,000 acres, and most recently, a 500-acre farm on the James River in Botetourt County. Jim and his wife Toni also eased a portion of their Rockbridge County farm.

Frederick and Christine Andreae and John B. Rice, Jr., Bentonville
The Andreaes and Mr. Rice have worked tirelessly, and successfully, to protect the Milford Civil War Battlefield and the Overall area that lies on the border of Warren and Page counties. Set on a dramatic bend of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River at the narrowest part of the valley separating Shenandoah National Park from the Massanutten range, the area was the site of two battles in 1864. The landscape ranges from river bottom to steep forest. Rice placed a conservation easement on his property and the Andreaes placed easements on three properties. They then teamed up to encourage neighbors to donate six additional easements, bringing the total land protected to 1,064 acres. These easements protect the scenic value of the area for users of the park and U.S. 340 and provide significant watershed protection. Mr. Rice has written a book about the Milford Battlefield, which was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

	5th Annual Better Models Awards February 22, 2005 VALLEY CONSERVATION COUNCIL HONORS CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT The Valley Conservation Council (VCC) announced the recipients of the 2004 "Better Models" awards at its annual awards ceremony February 22. Also honored were those named "Valley Conservators" for their outstanding land conservation efforts. Named after Valley Conservation Council’s publication, Better Models for Development in the Shenandoah Valley, the "Better Models" awards recognize buildings and projects that protect local character and natural features while encouraging economic growth. The winners were chosen from nominated entries, using the Six Principles for Better Development outlined in the book as criteria. VCC established the awards program in 2000 to recognize recent development projects that best add to the region’s quality of life. Valley Conservation Council, based in Staunton, Virginia, is a non-profit citizens’ organization and land trust serving 11 counties from Frederick to Botetourt. The organization's mission is to promote land use that sustains the farms, forests, open space, and cultural heritage of the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. 2004 Better Models Award Winners: Hill Top Master Plan & Zoning District, City of Buena Vista for "Best Community Planning" The City of Buena Vista has proactively set the pattern and quality of development it wants for its most important open land, a tract originally slated for an industrial park. The first step was the Hill Top-Glen Maury Park Master Plan Park, which calls for a compact, walkable, mixed-use development with access to prime open space (public golf course and a major park). Buena Vista incorporated this master plan into the city’s Comprehensive Plan and, even more significantly, adopted the Hill Top Zoning District to implement the master plan. These regulations, in the form of design guidelines, will govern development of the residential and mixed-use area. The city is reviewing development proposals and expects construction to begin this year. South Main Street Biofiltration & Bioretention Project, City of Lexington for "Outstanding Resource Protection Project" Lexington has enhanced its southern gateway with an environmental twist. South Main Street, an uninspiring corridor with minimal landscaping, was redeveloped with expanded plantings and more attractive signs. The result: a clearly delineated entrance to the City and improved appearance of the commercial enterprises. The landscaping, designed according to low-impact development (LID) principles, reduces stormwater runoff from roads and parking lots and filters out pollutants through the use of ‘biofiltration’ and ‘bioretention’ beds. This creative solution integrates two of Lexington’s major initiatives: 1) redeveloping and enhancing commercial entrance corridors and 2) improving water quality in the Woods Creek watershed. Cobble Hill Farm, City of Staunton for "Best Historic Preservation Project" By placing a historic easement on Cobble Hill, a 196-acre sheep and hay farm on the outskirts of the City of Staunton, Harriet Hanger has preserved a unique and historic farm while also retaining extensive natural and scenic assets in the city. The farm, featuring a 1936 Tudor Revival manor house and other buildings designed by noted architect Sam Collins, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historic elements are two tenant farmhouses, a dairy barn, and numerous agricultural outbuildings. By the terms of the easement, which is held by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, these structures cannot be demolished and any changes must be in keeping with the historic character of the property. Staunton City Council unanimously supported the easement. Alicia Group Showroom & Studio, Woodstock for "Best Adaptive Reuse" In a dramatic reclamation of one of Woodstock’s key retail buildings, Alicia and Robert Brewin turned a 1940s auto parts and service store into a beautiful mixed-use building. The ground floor contains Alicia Group Showroom and Studios, an interior design firm. The large storefront windows have been preserved and now display a variety of art, furniture, and design accessories. The upstairs was renovated into apartments, which have attracted young professionals to live downtown. Local historic renovator Bill Wine was the designer and contractor. The building has since changed hands, with the current owner, Pat Koch, keeping the name and the vision. Mt. Jackson Town Hall, Town of Mount Jackson for "Best Public Building" The Town of Mt. Jackson sets the standard with public buildings with its attractive and functional Town Hall. The building uses a design reminiscent of the old railway station that once stood nearby. It houses town offices, the town library, a visitors center, and the Mount Jackson museum. It also has meeting space available to the public. By its central location and the integration of a full range of community facilities, the building reinforces the principle of growing in, not out. The Mather-Barras firm of Harrisonburg served as the architects. Market Place / Court Square Theater Harrisonburg for "Outstanding Public-Private Development Project" The renovation of the Rockingham Motor Company / Woolworth’s buildings into a prosperous mixed-use complex with aesthetic appeal and respect for Harrisonburg’s unique history is a success story on many levels. The Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority worked with two private developers, Dan Brubaker and David Turner, to reuse these two large, vacant buildings in the core of downtown. The buildings were joined to form a large interconnected mixed-use space with shared entrances. The Market Place (the former Woolworth’s) houses Calhoun’s restaurant and microbrewery, government offices, conference rooms, and outdoor dining. The Rockingham Motor Company has been converted into Court Square Theater on one side and businesses on the other. All of the businesses are locally owned and operated. Valley Conservator Awards Valley Conservator awards recognize outstanding individuals who have furthered the work of land or resource protection. James F. Brown, Lexington Jim Brown, a Rockbridge County realtor, has been a strong advocate for easements, selling the concept of easements as he markets properties for sale as well as encouraging friends and family to consider easements. Over the past 15 years, he has been responsible for initiating easements on numerous properties, including Chapel Hill, his ancestral home in Augusta County, a 500-acre farm near Goshen, properties on and around Jump Mountain totaling more than 1,000 acres, and most recently, a 500-acre farm on the James River in Botetourt County. Jim and his wife Toni also eased a portion of their Rockbridge County farm. Frederick and Christine Andreae and John B. Rice, Jr., Bentonville The Andreaes and Mr. Rice have worked tirelessly, and successfully, to protect the Milford Civil War Battlefield and the Overall area that lies on the border of Warren and Page counties. Set on a dramatic bend of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River at the narrowest part of the valley separating Shenandoah National Park from the Massanutten range, the area was the site of two battles in 1864. The landscape ranges from river bottom to steep forest. Rice placed a conservation easement on his property and the Andreaes placed easements on three properties. They then teamed up to encourage neighbors to donate six additional easements, bringing the total land protected to 1,064 acres. These easements protect the scenic value of the area for users of the park and U.S. 340 and provide significant watershed protection. Mr. Rice has written a book about the Milford Battlefield, which was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.	Nominate a project for this year's Awards 4th Annual Better Models winners Rural Rustic Roads pilot project in Augusta County, a 2003 Award winner.
		Photo Credits Back to top

5th Annual Better Models Awards

Nominate a project for this year's Awards