America(in(Bloom( 2013EVALUATION(FORM6! Huntington,!West!Virginia!2013All!rights!reserved.!©!America!inBloom!2013 2.LandscapedAreas! Overall!design!andsuitabilityoflandscape,turfandgroundcovers

1 Huntington, West Virginia 2013All rights reserved. © America in Bloom 2013

America in Bloom 2013EVALUATION FORM

Municipality: Huntington, West Virginia

Population Category: 30,001 to 50,000

Visiting Dates: July 10, 2013 to July 13, 2013 Judges Names: Bruce K. Riggs, Barbara Vincentsen America in Bloom promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environment and lifestyle enhancements. All judging criteria will be adjusted to the climate and environmental conditions of the municipality. The judges’ report is based on efforts in management, planning, maintenance, improvement, and innovation of each of the following criteria:

Criteria Actual Points Possible Points

1. Floral Displays Error! Reference source

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source not found.

2. Landscaped Areas 139.50 175.00

3. Urban Forestry 136.00 175.00

4. Environmental Efforts 140.50 175.00

5. Heritage Preservation 149.50 175.00

6. Overall Impression 103.00 125.00

Total 811.50 1000

% 81.15%

Bloom Rating 4

Five blooms= 85%Four blooms = 72.50–84.95%Three blooms= 60.00–72.45%Two blooms = 45.00–59.95%One bloom = <45.00%

Community representatives met: (including email)

Name: Tom Bell Title:Exec. Dir. Huntington Municipal Dev. Authority, Co-‐chair, HIB

Email: [email protected]

Name: SteveWilliams Title: Mayor Email:[email protected]

Name: Lisa Riley Title: Executive Assistant, Huntington Municipal Development Authority

Email: [email protected]


General Comments and Suggestions:

Congratulations on your 4-‐bloom rating in your first year of participation in the America in Bloom national awards program. You have all done a lot to attain this mark and you should be proud of all that has been done in your fine city. It is really evident that many people care about Huntington and that your perseverance and planning are paying off. It truly is a team effort in your community. Huntington cares and your Huntington in Bloom/ America in Bloom program really has made a difference. We could see all that has been accomplished to date. Huntington, West Virginia is located in the south west corner of West Virginia at the confluence of the Ohio and Guyandotte Rivers. Because the sizeable Ohio River has formed a long flood plain on the eastern bank, the city is laid out in an East -‐ West alignment along the southern border of the flood plain. Ohio is on the opposite bank. Kentucky is very nearby with Lexington, KY only a two-‐hour drive. Huntington is one of the largest cities in West Virginia and has the largest metropolitan district in the state. It has the largest inland port in the nation, rail service, and Interstate 64 connect it nationally. Huntington was the terminus for the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad and now is a vital part of the CSX network. Several impressive bridges can be seen from the city. A very sizeable floodwall was constructed to protect the downtown from flooding which seems to work. When we visited, the Ohio River was just above its banks and some amenities were underwater. The wall is a visual barrier, however, and plans are to ameliorate it. Because the city is bisected by state and national highways, rail, and the rivers, the city streets and avenues have become busy thoroughfares. Citywide, the lands are overseen by federal, state, railroad and part of the West Virginia Parks and Recreation Commission. This organization is unique in that the Parks and Recreation Commission, which maintains a large percentage of city land is not directly part of and accountable to the municipality. Unfortunately, the Commission is underfunded and that part of the city under their control lacks a feeling of rejuvenation. Volunteer efforts in the park are, however, by citizens of various city organizations and some headway has been attained. Coal mining and steel have and still do play a large role in the history and future of the city. At one time there were also major glass manufacturers. Now Amazon, Wal-‐Mart and Direct TV are also playing a more major role. The area is also known for its quality health care and they employ a number of professionals. Marshall University is in Huntington and is possibly the largest employer. Their students use Huntington and are a vital part of the economy and infrastructure. Many students never leave and ultimately settle there and become residents. The city’s population dropped precipitously from its high in the mid 1950s to its current level of 49,138 as a result of the closure of many large manufacturing facilities. However the city has experienced a renaissance because of good planning and attractive amenities such as premier educational facilities (Marshall University), the Huntington Museum of Art, great restaurants and new businesses. The downtown is also recovering and real estate is now being acquired for development as older buildings are being repurposed. A coalition of volunteers, businesses and the municipality are working closely in many endeavors throughout the community. Numerous buildings are being rehabilitated and businesses are once again being attracted to downtown. Marshall University has acquired a central downtown building and is now renovating it to become a vital part of its Arts Program. Commercial and retail development are now thriving on the street level while the upper level residential development is flourishing, bringing needed foot traffic to the downtown area.


We sincerely want to thank everyone for making us feel so welcome. Congratulations on all that has been accomplished. Bruce K. Riggs Barbara E. Vincentsen


1. Floral Displays Flower beds, containers, baskets, window boxes. Arrangement, originality, distribution, location, diversity, balance, harmony, quality of maintenance. Use and integration of annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, bulbs, and seasonal flowers.

Max points

Actual Score

if Leadership and plan of action for floral displays 20 17

Concept and design, variety of plantings, overall effect 20 16.5 Maintenance and quality of displays 20 16.5 Design for all seasons 15 12

Business Concept and design, overall effect 15 10

Maintenance and quality of displays 15 11 Residential

Concept and design, overall effect 15 12 Maintenance and quality of displays 15 12

Community Involvement

Volunteer involvement in design, planting, and maintenance of floral displays 20 18 Financial and in-‐kind contributions to floral displays 20 18

Total (the fields automatically calculate – do not type in them) 175.00 143.00

Comments and suggestions:

Floral displays provide the ‘pow’ in power and their presence indicates people care. The power of attractive plantings wows everyone and Huntington has been very proactive in adding attractive floral displays to its downtown. Meanwhile hundreds of residents did their part in making their flower plantings more attractive as was seen on our city tours. Originally Tom Bell and his wife planted and watered the city hanging baskets and that inspired others to act. Now significant time donations and financial contributions make it all happen. You really are growing pride. There are containers planted with evergreens for winter as well. There is a need to focus on less wealthy areas of the community and to branch out from the downtown. Perhaps consider making hanging baskets available at reduced rates for homes that qualify as active AIB participants. We thought your red, white and blue (ish) color scheme was quite effective and that overall everyone really got on board. You need to begin to use window boxes filled with flowers. We did notice one building had boxes off the second floor and it was quite effective. Look into the various companies but Bloom Master (www.bloommaster.com) out of Salt Lake City, Utah has some of the most effective when set up with automatic watering/fertilizing. Some of the more prominent buildings need large floral containers to mark the entrances. Consider adding very large pots to city hall in addition to the urns, the courthouse, the theatre and the art museum. Opposite the Big Sandy Arena was a parking garage with a Hertz sign on the concrete. Consider removing the containers now on the ground level that are shaded by the overhang and adding flowers cascading from the various levels. This would really create a wow effect for the area. The same could be done to the floodwall where appropriate. The containers and big urns at the Pullman Plaza were well done. And the petunias lining the walkway into the Visitors Center really said red white and blue. On the Keith-‐Albee Theatre wall where the big


Huntington sign is, the four hanging pots really said we care.

Your hundred and fifty hanging baskets have really made a difference to the downtown and we compliment you.


2. Landscaped Areas Overall design and suitability of landscape, turf and ground covers. Use of native plants. Overall design and suitability for location/use; good use of design principles (i.e., balance of plant material and constructed elements, harmony, color, texture, shape, etc.). Sustainability. Integration of hardscapes, lighting, site features, sculpture. Maintenance (weeds, mulching practices, edging); site rejuvenation and rehabilitation. Efforts in strategic planning. Community gardens, children’s gardens, public gardens and zoos.

Max points

Actual Score

Municipal Overall design and planting of landscape, turf and groundcovers 15 12.5 Environmental management of sports fields and turf 15 12

Quality of landscape maintenance 15 12.5 Sustainable management, naturalization and eco-‐design 15 11.5

Business Overall design and planting of landscape 15 10 Environmental management of turf and groundcovers 10 6.5

Quality of landscape maintenance 15 10 Residential

Overall design and planting of landscape 15 12.5 Environmental management of turf and groundcovers 15 11.5 Quality of landscape maintenance 15 12.5

Community Involvement Volunteer involvement in funding, planting, and maintenance of landscaped areas 15 14 Participation in future planning (committees, councils, and advisory boards.) 15 14



We were pleasantly surprised to continually come upon a new area that had just been landscaped. It was evident that scores of volunteers had worked hard to add plantings to the various areas we visited throughout the city. As you can see it did make a difference and you all should be proud of what was done and how well it looks. Your work crews from the Coalition for the Homeless who water and clean were also making a big difference. Just make sure they do not overwater and that a regular fertilizing scheme is in place. We especially liked the new landscaping around city hall, in the roundabout in the Riverfront Park and at the Big Sandy sculpture planting. The landscaping done at the Long Term Care facility overlooking the river also touched us.

During our tour, the judges were impressed to see a display planting which was, in fact, a test garden for a proposed green roof installation.The planting of sedums that are being trialed for the rooftop garden needs interpretation so observers know what is going on in that planting bed. We suggest that informational signage displayed on this area would greatly improve its educational appeal. This area in


particular would benefit from a QR code on the new signage. We noticed that someone was deadheading the petunias and wonder if the variety selected needed to be deadheaded. Look into selecting a variety that does not need this amount of care. The Rose Garden was beautiful; however, we were perplexed as to why the labels had been removed. Visitors will better appreciate the roses if they are labelled and subsequently know what variety they admire and may want to purchase. Ritter Park has a long history of careful planting and care and it seems that it needs some help, as the Commission is not providing the necessary resources to properly care for it. It is part of 14 city parks, 4 cemeteries and 1400 acres of property. There is currently not enough staff and equipment and resources and this should be rectified. There is a need for lawn aerators, top seeders, and fertilizer to care for the turf in the high traffic areas. In the cemeteries we suggest you not mow some of the vast areas that are now being mowed (where there are no gravestones) and make them into wildflower or prairie plantings. This will free up some equipment and staff and reduce fuel expenses. That staff should then be charged with repairing and painting the walls and bridges that are falling into disrepair. There is also a need to remove vines such as poison ivy from the stream banks and trees. When time and monies do exist we suggest labelling the wonderful trees throughout the parks. The landscaped playground was a nice addition to Ritter Park and has brought life to the area. The drums there could be made into chess and checkerboards. The abandoned lakebed nearby should be flooded and used for ice-‐skating in the winter. The fence line around the Appalachian Power transformers near the Visitor Center needs to be landscaped. Consider planting Leyland Cypress in the space between the sidewalk and the fence. They will grow fast and soon soften the appearance of the street and along the “rail” concrete walking path. We noticed that Crape Myrtle do well in the gardens we saw but are not planted in many landscapes and suggest you add them to your palette. Put a range of varieties so that you have many colors and can test which do best for you. They will provide attractive flowers in the summer. They can be trained as shrubs or small trees. Many of the more affluent great houses had beautiful landscapes and many more moderate homes were attractively planted but overall the businesses did not appear well landscaped. We suggest you create a competition, which is publicized, and give awards for their efforts. Always describe the fact that nicely landscaped businesses have increased sales and people are more prone to visit a well-‐landscaped property. The Woodlands independent living facility is testament to how great landscaping can be so beneficial. Savannah’s Restaurant is also successful in part because people can sit out in the attractive garden. (The food was superb.) Marshall University’s landscapes were quite attractive and lovingly cared for. However the black mulch will raise the soil temperature and adversely affect plant growth. A more natural brown mulch would be more beneficial. When laying out plants it is better to plant more closely than try to space them too far apart which gives the look of not having enough plant material.


We especially liked all the stone composite and metal-‐seated benches around the campus.


3. Urban Forestry Distribution, variety and suitability of trees; new plantings;urban tree program; qualified personnel or access to trained individual(s); inventory or database; frequency of tree surveys; care and maintenance programs; preservation of heritage trees and woodlots; scheduled succession plantings. Efforts in management, planning, maintenance, improvement, and innovation. Written policies, by-‐laws and regulations, long and short term plans.

Max points

Actual Score

Municipal Overall plan of action, tree planting programs, variety of species, inventory 20 16 Tree maintenance 15 12.5

Preservation and restoration of natural areas 15 12

Tree protection/planting regulations and by-‐laws 15 12.5 Business

Overall planting program 20 12 Tree maintenance 15 11

Residential

Overall planting program 20 16.5 Tree maintenance 15 12

Community Involvement Volunteer involvement in funding, planting, and maintenance of trees 20 17 Volunteer involvement of youth in tree programs (i.e., Arbor Day, etc.) 20 14.5



Trees play an important part in the overall perception of how a city is doing and when people see new trees are being added to the streets and byways they know things are going in the right direction. Huntington has been doing just that by adding more than 100 new street trees a year. An active Urban Forestry Advisory Committee provides support to the city. And The Foundation for the Tri State Community, a not for profit foundation, now provides financial support for some of the city’s tree planting projects. Other tree-‐oriented programs are also in place including Tree City USA, Arbor Day events, and various memorial tree plantings and special tree planting projects. The Advisory Committee is composed of a group of professional and interested citizens who are dedicated to improving the community’s urban forest. However there is not a certified arborist on city staff who can take care of the day-‐to-‐day needs and questions which arise and this should be rectified as a great deal of time and financial resources are being invested in the city’s trees. They will also need proper equipment to work. Marshall University has a very fine collection of trees. This premier educational institution should label their trees so the students, staff and visitors can better appreciate what is there. Likewise the trees now at Ritter Park and the trees along the roads and paths nearby should be


labelled. Many of the street trees recently planted and some of the more mature specimens were carefully mulched. However we did notice on some occasions the mulch was touching the tree bole and it had been “volcano” mulched. We suggest you immediately remove this from the trees as it can cause rot and insects will cause a problem. In the one plant that was examined there were insects feeding. Marshall University should also address this issue. There was also a problem of improper pruning of street trees whereby stubs were left that would then act as conduits for rot. Consider hiring certified arborists to prune street trees during the correct season for each tree variety. You should also adjust the branch height so low branches do not hit pedestrians. You have a beautiful basswood allee along the Ohio River in Riverfront Park. Some large basswood specimens should be procured to fill in the missing trees. Make sure they match, as there are multiple kinds of basswood. The city and Marshall needs to make a plan to deal with the forthcoming Emerald Ash Borer invasion. Consider making a master list of all tree needs, be it an arborist, mulch, tree inventory, replacement specimens, fertilizers and equipment, etc. Get real costs and let people know what is needed based on priority. Put this want list on the city website. The fire blighted pear trees need to be removed, destroyed and replaced with something not in the Rosaceae plant family a.s.a.p. Consider giving a tax credit if a business or residence plants trees on city land. Many businesses need to get more involved with adding trees to their sites. Spring Hill Cemetery has many wonderful old tree specimens but seems to lack any younger tree plantings. A levy could be placed on all new burials to fund tree plantings or donors could be solicited by speaking with cemetery visitors. Thank you for protecting the large white oak at 216 11th Avenue east. It truly is a heritage tree. Ask people to submit specimens to the Advisory Committee to be considered for being listed as a heritage tree.



4. Environmental Efforts Sustainability practices. Recycling (paper, glass, metal, plastic, electronics, etc.), policies and by-‐laws, sustainable development strategies, waste reduction, hazardous waste minimization and collection (oil, paint, chemicals, used batteries, etc.), water quality and conservation, energy conservation, environmental cleanup activities, reducing carbon footprint, environmentally friendly transportation, LEED certification, air, noise and light pollution, rain gardens and rain barrels, composting, energy efficiency, youth programs, etc.Events such as Earth Day, Recycling Days, Bike to Work Days, etc.

Max Points

Actual Score

Municipal Leadership in environmental initiatives 25 20 Effective communication of environmental strategies and initiatives 25 18.5

New programs, improvement and innovation 25 21.5

Business Participation in environmental efforts 20 16 New programs, improvement and innovation 10 8

Residential

Participation in environmental efforts 20 16 New programs, improvement and innovation 10 8


Volunteer involvement in environmental efforts 20 16.5

Youth participation in environmental activities 20 16

Total (the fields automatically calculate – do not type in them) 175.00 140.50 Comments and suggestions:

Clearly Huntington is off to a running start in expanding existing practices and introducing new initiatives to encourage sustainable environmental practices in the city. In addition to putting these efforts in place, we congratulate you on obtaining a grant to fund a professionally developed information campaign to raise public awareness of these initiatives that include: • Periodic neighborhood clean-‐up days • City-‐wide cleaning • Free monthly pickup of large items • Discounts on sanitary bill for voluntary recycling • Municipal shipment of solid waste to commercial recycling center in lieu of landfill • Aggressive recycling program by VA hospital • Recycling program in the schools sponsored by Goodwill Industries to raise student

awareness of and involvement in sustainable practices. • We understand you are considering an ambitious Recycling Pilot program for Cabell County

Schools, which includes education, an interschool competition, a financial incentive and regular publication of highlights of the program in the local paper.Education of children in these practices is probably the most effective long-‐range tool in encouraging these habits in the home on a daily basis and should be pursued.

Additionally we understand that Goodwill Industries collects and recycles over 700 tons of


paper and electronic equipment annually.You might consider encouraging Goodwill to partner with a computer club at the high school or in Marshall University to have them recover usable parts of old computers and re-‐assemble them into usable computers. This has been done with success in Plymouth, Indiana, and every family is entitled to receive a free computer. This is great for families who can't afford to buy a computer for their school age children. We understand that the Solid Waste Authority is working on providing a program for weekly curbside pick-‐up of recyclable material in the near future. We suggest the rollout of this program be preceded by a very strong marketing campaign. We are aware of several communities who have opened a curbside pick-‐up program to great fanfare. In one case recycling containers of registered participants have been equipped with chips to let trucks know when they are at the curb. Your efforts to clean front yards of discarded furnishings and other debris prior to July 1 of this year was a great success, as the judges were well aware of the clear front yards, walks and drives throughout the town, and we commend your efforts. An Annual Spring Clean-‐Up Campaign as part of your monthly pick-‐up program should reinforce this initiative. We saw part of the new Compliance hotline that is about to be introduced which will enable residents to assist in your awareness of a property's condition. In conjunction with the new regulations concerning front lawn debris, graffiti and the like, this tool should provide a powerful boost to municipal/ resident partnership in beautifying the city.

Huntington is fortunate to be home to the Tri-‐State Transit Authority, which is doing far more than providing an effective public transportation system. Highly visible, environmentally friendly practices have been introduced. Bike racks have been mounted on the buses to encourage cycling as part of commuting activities. Forty-‐one new solar-‐powered bus stops provide comfortable, illuminated shelters for riders, and the first hybrid buses have been introduced to the fleet. We encourage you to partner with the Transit Authority toinstall bike racks in convenient locations near businesses, schools, parks and the like to further encourage the integration of public transportation and cycling.

With the support of the university, the Federal government, the school district and local architects, four current projects are proceeding under LEED guidelines. Publication of articles about these projects has raised awareness of the benefits of the practices in these guidelines. Student awareness will be raised by the "dashboard" installed in the new school to inform students about energy consumption in the school.


Marshall University supports diverse opportunities for students to become involved in sustainable community projects. Included in their efforts is development of guidelines for installation of “do it yourself” rain gardens. On campus, a demonstration community garden is effectively irrigated with rainwater harvested from roof runoff. This irrigation could easily be done automatically by placing the barrels on a raised platform and connecting the reservoir to the water source at a point higher on the leader drain.Sustainability lectures where topics on

sustainable practices are presented are held on campus arean effective way of communicating sustainable practices.

Business involvement to becomeleaders in sustainable practices seems to be in the early stages of development. Among the most noteworthy that we observed is Wild Ramp, which combines local producers in partnership with volunteers in an exceptional approach to distribution of local produce.A regular program of public recognition of business efforts in adopting environmentally friendly practices could be used to raise awareness of opportunities while encouraging more active participation

of the business community. The Herald Dispatch has been very supportive of community programs and could run a monthly column highlighting the Business of the Month, providing recognition to businesses that support sustainable initiatives. Organizations such as Create Huntington and Rotary Club could assist in identifying potential winners through its members. The city has undertaken an energy audit of all municipal buildings which was combined with replacement of inefficient fixtures with more efficient equipment including LED light sources, motion sensor controls and more. We recommend you publish the monthly savings in both dollars and energy use realized by this program. Many residents may be unaware of how effective this strategy can be.

Programs to involve the youth in environmentally responsible projects have been developed both within and outside of the schools. An excellent example is the Community Garden program in the Weed and Seed Initiative in which children and teens cleared, planted, maintained and harvested for sale or consumption two garden plots. The judges are unaware of water conservation initiatives with the city and they should be considered. If less water is used less sewage will have to be treated.


A regular farmers market is a thriving business in the Old Central City Market and Harris River Front Park area. Several neighborhood associations have been quite active in rallying support for cleanup events and various community programs, with visible results. Coordination between the 6 neighborhood groups by the umbrella group helps both with coordination of event dates plus dissemination of activity information between groups. Litter Gitters is an active program that encourages residents to take responsibility for neighborhood cleanup and currently has distributed more than 4000 litter sticks funded by the Solid Waste Authority to interested participants who promise to keep their block clean. Very clever idea! We are unaware of any facilities which are available for the collection of grease or oils.With the increasing numbers of restaurants within the city limits, we encourage the city to assist restaurants in locating nearby facilities which will do so. Festivals in the city at Harris River Park draw many to the city. This year’s Independence Day festival and fireworks display brought over 11,000 people to the park to join the festivities. Concerts and plays at the Amphitheater are also very popular, drawing large crowds. Consider making it a zero waste festival by requiring vendors to offer only items that can be recycled. The city of Incline Village, NV, has a trailer outfitted to support zero waste events which is loaned to any group that wants it. You can read more about their program at http://www.tahoecan.org/wastenot-‐spotlight.



Heritage preservation is alive and well in Huntington and is clearly in evidence in the central business district and in the varied residential neighborhoods. With a hard-‐won public/private partnership spearheading new construction in Pullman Square in which the Transit Authority paired with a group of very active business owners, the impetus for downtown development enjoyed a renaissance and now is on a roll. The newly constructed, commercially viable outdoor mall provided the nucleus of success, which in turn led business owners to invest in the area. Enter Historic Preservation. Astute designation of the downtown area as a state and federally designated historic district gave building owners access to significant funding through the use of tax credits for renovation and restoration

expensesand spurredrehabilitation ofexisting buildings in the district. The outstanding results have spawned more activity in renovation, restoration and creative repurposing of existing historic structures. Originally established in 1987, the boundaries of the Historic District were expanded in 2007 and new work continues. Truly, the amount accomplished in the last 8 years is remarkable, and historic preservation has played a key role in much of it.

5. Heritage Preservation Historical, natural, agricultural, and cultural heritage. Preservation and restoration of buildings, homes, churches, cemeteries; heritage sites and/or monuments; heritage parks, historical gardens and heritage trees; artifacts; historical society; heritage advisory committee, museums, archives, history books, and interpretative programs; ordinances and policies. Resource availability. Farmers markets, festivals and parades.

Max Points

Actual Score

Municipal Leadership in preservation and restoration initiatives 25 22 Legal protection of heritage sites 25 21 Resource availability for preservation and restoration 25 21

Business Conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of properties 15 13.5 Participation in and support of heritage/cultural activities 15 13.5

Residential Conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of properties 15 12

Participation in and support of heritage/cultural activities 15 13.5

Community Involvement Volunteer involvement in cultural, historical, and natural heritage activities 20 17 Youth involvement in heritage activities 20 16



The residential districts within Huntington form architecturally distinct neighborhoods within the city. Southside, a community clearly defined by the architecture and pattern of development, has begun the process to become listed on the National Register of Historic districts through its Neighborhood Association. If accepted by the neighborhood, this designation would provide a measure of protection to the visual identity of this handsome neighborhood as well as significant tax credits for those who elect to undergo renovations on residences in the district.

Today there are over 30 designated sites or districts throughout the city of Huntington on the National Register of Historic places.Handsome insets in the sidewalks clearly delineate the downtown historic district. A number of the

historic sites we visited were clearly marked with identifying signage, although this did not appear to be uniformly true. Clear signage of uniform design posted in a prominent position at each site listed on the National Registerreinforces the sense of pride in the heritage of your region. Similarly, we recommend uniform signage at entry points of each historic district. In addition to informational signage, consider suggesting that owners of buildings constructed before 1900 place dates on the corner of the building or near the entry. The numerals could be uniform for all those wishing to participate and could be available for a fee from the city as part of a History Awareness week.

The rail heritage for this city is proudly evident. At pedestrian crossing points during our tour the tracks, which are maintained by the railroad, were in excellent condition and weed-‐free. The train display at Heritage Station is most interesting, and very well maintained. Other rail displays

throughout the city maintain the theme beautifully. The CSX headquarters, a strong commercial presence in the city, handsomely carries the current strong rail presence into the cityscape. The rail viaducts that create the portals from the north side to the south side of the city are somewhat less impressive. Recently murals have been designed and painted by a corps of volunteers that considerably improve the appearance of these areas. As the rail company prohibits signage or painting of the overpass, interchangeable banners on free-‐standing framework could be a possible solution, brightening these portals which connect diverse areas of the city.


Local business owners appear very involved in restoration of historic areas in the downtown business district, and work very cooperatively with the municipality in support of community development. In turn, municipal zoning regulations appear to be very development friendly, encouraging repurposing of aging buildings with few zoning impediments. Limited parking in the downtown area has somewhat limited the expansion of residential apartments and condominiums in the upper levels of buildings originally used commercially and space is being opened to partially address that problem. Where sites for parking within the historic district are adequate in size to provide multi-‐level parking, the city may wish to enter into a developer’s agreement for construction of same, with favorable rights to income stream and facility ownership passing to the developer in return for construction of more intense development of parking to encourage continued expansion of multiuse development of historic structures. We also suggest that zoning regulations of parking lot development in thecity including the central business district include minimum requirements for landscape development and tree installation. We noticed the absence of these elements in most parking areas other than hospital-‐related facilities. The Huntington Museum is a regional treasure with extensive collections and a very active program housed in a handsome facility and hasa proactive Board who works closely with dedicated staff.

Historic archives for the city appear to be lodged in multiple locations throughout the city, including the library, the Huntington Museum, the Marshall University Library, and private collections. Various institutions also maintain archives as exemplified by the history of the stained glass windows at Trinity Episcopal Church written by Jim Morgan. Huntington has a very active historical society which has a long list of achievements including the acquisition and

renovation of the train terminal at Heritage Station. With the help of the society, the city should consider setting up a heritage advisory committee of local historians to begin the arduous task of creating an index of available historical information and its location. With the help of the media, particularly the Herald-‐Dispatch requesting information, some privately held collections could be identified and included in the catalogue. Spring Hill Cemetery with its memorial to those killed in the 1970 plane crash is a beautiful park-‐like setting enjoyed by many in the town. Maintenance by the Parks and Rec. staff is very good, with areas adjacent to headstones and monuments well trimmed. Consider partnering

with Marshall University students studying landscape architecture or a related field to have significant trees located, labeled (possibly with QR code)


and mapped. In addition, this site provides an excellent opportunity to create an arboretum in town, again with the help of university students and/faculty who could take this on as a special study project. In addition to Spring Hill, the private walled cemetery at Trinity Episcopal Church is a beautiful place of sanctuary and repose. Churches create a very strong visual impression in the city and are beautifully maintained. The judges were treated to a most informative and well-‐presented tour of several historic sites with a background narrative by Jim Casto, a local historian, posing as Collins P. Huntington. We recommend making a version of this tour available to local residents at special events.

Heritage Farms, the multi-‐acre complex on the outskirts of Huntington, provides a view of life in West Virginia before the incorporation of the City of Huntington. Housing log structures typical of the region, this museum provides insight into a very different lifestyle than that which evolved with the growth of the city. Assembled by the Perry family over decades of collection and restoration, this museum, visited by many student groups and other visitors throughout the year, is a treasure.


6. Overall Impression Cleanliness, lack of litter and graffiti. Maintenance of public open spaces, medians and boulevard strips, streets, sidewalks, walking and biking trails, curbs, ditches, road shoulders, unattended and vacant lots, buildings, garbage receptacles; lack of weeds, dog waste policies and receptacles, notices/posters appropriately displayed, vandalism not evident. Maintenance of the hardscape:walls, lamp posts, benches, playgrounds, etc. Appropriate use and placement of graphic elements such as banners, signs and murals.

Max points

Actual Score

Municipal Overall cleanliness 10 9 Maintenance of public roads and shoulders 10 7

Condition of public buildings and properties 10 8

Impact of graphic elements -‐ banners, signs, murals, etc. 10 7 Business

Overall cleanliness 20 18 Condition of buildings and properties 20 16

Residential

Overall cleanliness 10 8 Condition of buildings and properties 10 8


Participation in cleanup efforts, adopt-‐a-‐spot, annual cleanup days, etc. 15 13

Recognition of volunteer efforts 10 9

Total (the fields automatically calculate – do not type in them) 125.00 103.00 Comments and suggestions:

Huntington is a city on the move – and it shows. Downtown areas, residential neighborhoods, the expanding presence of Marshall University and commercial and industrial establishments all intertwine to create a distinctive community identity of which you can be proud.

The central downtown business district, distinguished by the many handsome facades that have been recently renovated and anchored by Pullman Square set the scene. Planting beds are pristine, litter is non-‐existent and graffiti has been banished. Freshly painted murals adorn several walls, creating visual interest in the urban setting.Heritage

Station, home of the convention and visitors bureau as well as many new retail stores provides an excellent locus for the link between the central business district and Harris River Front Park through the floodwall gate to the park. Connecting the park, the Station and Pullman Square is a new


pedestrian link adjacent to off-‐street parking. The walk has been creatively patterned to recreate a rail bed, and signage installed which enforces that concept.

This walkway and adjacent roadwaywould provide an excellent venue for a casual street fair or craft event staged withconcerts and other events scheduled in Harris River Park, providing interest and shopping opportunities for people strolling between the central business district andHarris Park. We also suggest that the long masonry wall on the south side

of the roadway be considered as a support for a vertical wall garden in the summer, which would brighten the urban landscape in this area. Low maintenance installations have been successfully installed in a number of locations in Arroyo Grande, California. There are numerous systems on the market, many with self-‐feeding gravity irrigation. The handsome and distinctive trash receptacles placed throughout downtown are an attractive portion of your litter-‐free streetscape and clearly work with the light stanchions to add to the unique district identity. We recommend installation of strategically placed bicycle racks to coordinate with the developing bike trails. Attractive racks of a single consistent design would further add to the city’s visual identity. We were pleased to see a relationship between the business community in the central business district and the municipality; the results speak for themselves. To visually extend this relationship into the larger community, consider instituting an Adopt a Spot program to encourage the improvement of areas on well-‐traveled roads. Discrete signage identifying the sponsor would permit visibility for the sponsor while creating community-‐funded upgrades to the streetscape. We suggest that the municipality, possibly in conjunction with master gardeners, develop a list of plant and hardscape materials that are recommended for use in the identified areas to help create a unifying theme within a flexible framework. The extensive park system in the city is a treasure. Basic maintenance of the parks is good, and volunteer involvement in planting colorful beds and borders has addeda distinctive flair. Of particular note is the personal resident involvement that has made a difference in these parks. In this city, where a resident or group of residents see a need and work toward a goal, significant things happen. Examples among many are the outstanding playgrounds in Ritter Park, the Dog Park, the fountain at the entry to Ritter Park, and numerous tree installation projects.


Environmental efforts in the downtown have been extremely effective with volunteers and city maintenance workers patrolling for litter. Street vacuums are effectively cleaning the sidewalks. We were especially impressed by the aggressive and effective efforts to banish graffiti from the city. "Before" photos of the cityscape were awash with unwanted graphics and the difference is nothing short of amazing. As part of this tremendous effort, a manual outlining a

“Graffiti Cleanup and Management Strategy in the Central Business District” has been prepared by Aaron-‐Michael Fox under the auspices of the Downtown Neighborhood Association. This program has been so successful we recommend you make this pamphlet available as a resource online to other communities. Many would benefit from the insights and strategies.

One highly visible area of concern is the deteriorating condition of many of the smaller bridges in town, with at least one bridge currently unusable. The importance of these small bridges to the local population, combined with a very active resident base, should ensure more thorough care of these bridges than is currently in evidence.


As an opportunity for walking, jogging, biking or otherwise enjoying the outdoors, the Paul Ambrose Trail for Health (PATH) is an asset to be treasured. Each portion of this trail, which has been opened to date, has been extremely well conceived and executed and we salute those who continue to work on its expansion. Departing business have left some unfortunate scars on the cityscape in the form of vacant and largely untended buildings and lots particularly in areas outside the central business district.As new businesses are lured to your city, many of these blighted lots will be developed. In the meantime, steamers are an efficient and effective way to control streetweeds in an environmentally friendly way along the streets and sidewalks abutting these areas and in some less tended residential areas in town. Anumber of newer businesses have carefully landscaped their front lawns and parking areas. An award program for commercial properties similar to the Yard of the Month program in the residential communities would serve as recognition of these efforts and encourage others to follow suit. Currently, these businesses are in the minority.

Strategic positioning of wayfinding and sculptural elements is just beginning in the city. These elements are effective design elements in your city. Consider identifying various sites in town that could support sculptural installation and invite artists to provide temporary installations on a rotating basis throughout the city.


Memorial Boulevard and the monument are a fine example of commemorative architecture. The location of a portion of PATH adjacent to the arch is an excellent strategy. Development of the new Little League fields on what was a brownfields site owned by Owens Illinois speaks of today's Huntington, combining determined, involved residents, successful fund raising, municipal cooperation, and youth development.

Ongoing restoration of the Keith-‐Albee Theatre is a far-‐reaching project. Concerts, films and theater productions serve to bring many residents to the downtown area. The restoration of the facade is to begin shortly and will greatly enhance downtown.We did notice the need for street “walk” signs at the theatre and to get into the Visitor Center.


The final stop for the judges was Old Central City, home of many older commercial buildings housing antique stores and craft centers as well as the Farmer's Market. The floral display in front of Central City Market was an eye-‐catching sales tool and sets the stage for the pavilion across the way. This section of town could easily be the focus for another wave of urban beautification using colorful plantings and seasonal holiday displays to brighten the streetscape beyond the Market.


Checklist for Judges and Communities: Yes No N/A

Were the judges given a community profile, itinerary, and map prior to their

arrival?

Did the itinerary provide for seeing a representative cross-‐section of the

community?

Were the guides knowledgeable about the community and horticultural aspects?

Were the judges able to modify the schedule if needed?

Did the judges meet with the media?

Did the judges meet with municipal leaders?

Were the judges asked to give presentations?

Were the judges able to meet with and talk to volunteers?

Was enough time allotted to complete the evaluation form in a quiet place?

Comments:

DEFINITIONS Municipal:City hall and other municipal properties, parks and open spaces, roads, roadsides, sidewalks, cemeteries, schools and sports facilities, empty lots and brownfields, libraries, hospitals, assisted living, churches, universities,and colleges Business:Commercial and industrial sectors,shopping centers, stores, office buildings, restaurants, mixed use developments, service stations, railway and bus stations, plant nurseries/garden centers Residential:Single family residences, condominiums, town houses, planned communities, apartment buildings, gated communities, manufactured home communities, trailer parks, residential developments, neighborhoods, graduated care facilities Community Involvement:Volunteer efforts by individuals, clubs, youth groups, church groups, civic organizations, and social clubs for community enhancement


2013 Special Mention

Municipality: Huntington, West Virginia

General description of the recognized criterion (200 words max)Overall Impression Downtown Huntington West Virginia is undergoing a renaissance which is transforming the downtown area into a vibrant arts and business center teeming with shops and social venues. Graffiti is removed as soon as it appears. Trees are being planted and attractive plantings in red white and blue flowers adorn the streets during the summer. The restaurants are flourishing and there is always an event to attend.

Special Project or Initiative (50 words max) Recently Marshall University purchased a centrally located multistory building in center downtown very much in need of rehabilitation and is converting it into the new visual arts building for the university. This is the first off site venue for Marshall and this new site will reinvigorate the university's educational arts program while providing a much-needed boost to the city. A number of almost insurmountable hurdles had prevented this building from being repurposed before but fortunately local residents, the municipality and Marshall were able to work together to accomplish this important goal and need for all. The building is located directly opposite and on axis to the recently developed Pullman Center, which has transformed what was once an almost abandoned urban renewal project of almost thirty acres of downtown into a multifaceted jewel. This project is evidence of the power of positive thinking and how people can work together for the benefit of all.

America in Bloom … Planting Pride in Our Communities

2130 Stella Court, Columbus, OH 43215 ● (614) 487-‐1117 ● Fax (614) 487-‐1216 www.americainbloom.org [email protected]

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America(in(Bloom( 2013EVALUATION(FORM6! Huntington,!West!Virginia!2013All!rights!reserved.!©!America!inBloom!2013 2.LandscapedAreas! Overall!design!andsuitabilityoflandscape,turfandgroundcovers