Community Beautification Awards

Columbus Garden Club established the Community Beautification Award to recognize businesses, churches, and other organizations in the city of Columbus (herein referred to as "storefront" though this may refer to a church's lot or other organization's building and property that are not usually considered storefronts). 

the Community Beautification Award is awarded March through December with the club committee placing a sign in the storefront area, taking pictures, and publishing the award on the club's Facebook page and in local newspapers. 

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Please use this information to identify neighbors and other residents in the city of Columbus who own properties that deserve Yard of the Month. Then, nominate them!

The following general guidelines are considered with selecting each month's winner: 

• The exterior appearance of the building(s) is visually appealing and well-maintained. 

• Signage, parking lot, merchandise displays, fences, and equipment visible from the street such as gas pumps are in good repair and free of trash, debris, discarded items, and junked products. 

• The storefront is attractive and pleasing to the eye.

• Good use of seasonal color from perennials or annuals increases chances of winning.

• Some consideration may be given to storefronts that have invested extra effort through the use of attractive art pieces such as outdoor seating, pottery, ironwork, or high quality signs, and decorative touches.

• Only the portion of the storefront visible from the street will be judged.

• Upkeep of the storefront can reflect the efforts of the business owners, building/property owners, or professional services.

• When two or more storefronts are evenly matched for an award in a month, tiebreaker considerations include:

  • Scale of the beautification such as a business in an well-maintained historical home on a previously residential lot that is as stunning as a storefront on the Square will win, even though they are both eye-catching and contribute to the appeal of the town of Columbus. Note the smaller display will remain on the list of nominated storefronts for 6 months. 

  • Use of native plants and non-native pollinator-friendly flowers and herbs

  • Creativity and uniqueness.

Requirements to be considered for the Community Beautification Award:

• Storefronts located in the city limits of Columbus. 

• Storefronts may be either owner-occupied or leased. 

• Each storefront may win the award only once in any three consecutive calendar years.

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Nominations for Community Beautification Award

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Anyone may nominate a storefront no matter where they reside, but the storefront must be located within city limits to qualify. Nominations may be submitted by:

• Completing and submitting the online CGC Community Beautification Award Nomination form

• Mailing the following information to Community Beautification Award Committee, Columbus Garden Club, P.O. Box 1222, Columbus, TX 78934-1222: Your name and your email or phone number, the name of the business the address of the storefront (if known), and the reason you feel the storefront should be selected. 

Nominations, once received by the selection committee, are added to a list of candidates that are considered monthly for 6 months after nomination. 

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The selection committee, made up of Columbus Garden Club members, may also nominate yards. The selection committee does not have to give an award each month.

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The “Community Beautification Award” award sign will be displayed at the winning storefront by a selection committee member and will remain for the award period. The business or other organization will be recognized in the club's newsletter, the club's Facebook page, and local newspapers.