Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett salutes more than two dozen urban designs tonight when he presents the 11th annual Mayor's Urban Design Awards during a 5 p.m. ceremony at UW-Milwaukee's School of Architecture and Urban Planning 2131 E. Hartford Ave. More than 175 projects have earned the awards since 1997.

"Each year we want to recognize the investment and innovation of property owners and individuals in excellent urban design, for it is their attention to detail that makes Milwaukee an exciting place to attract businesses, visitors and residents," said Mayor Tom Barrett in a statement.

Here are this year's 27 winners, with the official descriptions:

CATEGORY: CONNECTING PLACES
East Kilbourn Streetscaping (between Water Street and Prospect Avenue) -- From City Hall to Prospect Avenue, this street was extensively landscaped to include new lighting and improved crosswalks.

CATEGORY: GATHERING SPOTS
Shea Community Garden (Shea and National Avenues) -- In 2005, Silver City Main Street volunteers identified this underutilized City owned property as something that "we could do something more with." Today, the park is a beautiful perennial garden with paved walkways and a pergola. All plants were donated, most coming from gardens in the neighborhood. The garden has served as a catalyst for neighborhood involvement and friendships, as neighbors make plans to create seasonal decorations and develop a fundraising scheme to perpetuate care of the park.

CATEGORY: GATHERING SPOTS
Menomonee Valley Community Park (3500 W. Canal St.) -- Once widely known as "Wisconsin's biggest eyesore," the site of the former Milwaukee Road Shops just west of downtown Milwaukee is now one of the largest brownfield redevelopment successes in state history. The first phase of the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center (MVIC) and Community Park was completed in June 2007. This created 35 acres of a public park north of the Menomonee River. The Sierra Club declared the innovative Menomonee Valley project one of the "Top 10 Developments in the Nation." In the Community Park, picnic tables were built from salvaged wood from the former Milwaukee Stockyards, and benches were made from excess sewer pipe. Walking paths along the south bank of the river are lined with Cream City bricks salvaged from a nearby demolished building and throughout Stormwater Park artistic panels made of recycled glass tell the story of the Valley's flora and fauna.

CATEGORY: KEEPING IT GREEN
Alterra Coffee (2999 N. Humboldt Blvd.) -- Alterra Coffee Roasters' new building at the corner of Humboldt Boulevard and Chambers Street is a dynamic, lively addition to the Riverwest neighborhood. The company purchased a long-vacant brownfield from the Redevelopment Authority, and brought together city, state, federal and private resources to transform it into their new 24,000-sq. ft. headquarters, café, roasting facility and adjacent retail spaces. The new building incorporates many green and neighborhood-friendly features. About 90% of the previously existing building on the site was deconstructed and recycled. The new building includes beams from an old Kohl's Grocery store, tables salvaged from the Milwaukee Technical High School, windows salvaged from another old warehouse, and many other recycled products. These old elements give the brand-new building a feeling that it has "always been there." Dual-flush toilets in the restrooms help save water, and educate customers. Nighttime lighting outside the building enlivens the street and helps create a sense of safety, while day lighting inside helps keep energy bills low. Native plantings in the landscape beds give building a local character.

Lloyd Street Global Education School Rain Garden (1228 W. Lloyd St.) -- The Lloyd Street Global Education School Rain Garden brings prairie life to downtown Milwaukee. The large structure is set in the middle of the school's asphalt playground and provides much needed green space for the students, staff, and neighbors to admire. The burgeoning ecosystem is maintained by Sharon Adams' Walnut Way organization. The students enjoy the added touch of nature that is part of their school. City of Milwaukee obtained an EPA grant for this project.

CATEGORY: BEST FACE FORWARD
Walgreens (2950 N. Oakland Ave.) -- The new Walgreen's establishes a new prototype for the company. Large glass windows, unique masonry surface exterior, and building fronting sidewalk are all atypical features for this particular type of development.

Milwaukee Intermodal Station (433 W. St. Paul Ave.) -- The City of Milwaukee partnered with the State of Wisconsin to create a dynamic new transportation gateway to the state's largest city through the facelift of the Amtrak station into an Intermodal Transportation Station.

CATEGORY: GOOD CITIZEN
North Point Light Station/House (2650 N. Wahl Ave.) -- Rejuvenation within Lake Park of what had become an eyesore, a public space both inside and outside. The finished project prevented the site from being auctioned off as a surplus site to the highest bidder. The North Point Lighthouse Friends worked for over ten years to develop the funding and the plan to revitalize and restore this Milwaukee jewel without any financial impact to the local tax base.

CATEGORY: GOOD CITIZEN
Dr Wesley L Scott Senior Living Community (2802 W. Wright St.) -- The Dr. Wesley L. Scott Senior Living Community is following the spirit of Dr. Scott by bringing significant investment into a challenged neighborhood to spur further development and revitalization. It provides area seniors a safe and affordable home and also gives former area residents the opportunity to return and participate in the revitalization of the neighborhood. Dr. Wesley L. Scott Senior Living Community utilizes environmentally sustainable building techniques including a rooftop solar energy system. In addition, more than 50% of the work for this development was done by Emerging Businesses and Minority Owned Businesses. The development is a prime example of how collaboration between strong partners such as Gorman & Company, the Milwaukee Urban League, WHEDA and the City of Milwaukee can be a catalyst for economic development, job creation, training, and overall growth.

Old South Side Settlement Museum (707 W. Lincoln Ave.) -- The Old South Side Settlement Museum and Urban Anthropology have made this building and the area a beautiful inviting place. The 100-year-old house at this address was converted into a museum that celebrates Milwaukee's history as a city that attracts immigrants. Planters were added to the street to call attention to the revitalization. The Urban Anthropology's Old South Side Settlement Museum tells the stories of immigrants that lived in this neighborhood. The first floor and the facade were beautifully renovated and to host collection of antiques and neighborhood stories. Many school classes and adults have come through this museum during the last year to learn more about Milwaukee's history.

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