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There have been dozens of home improvement shows showcasing the "before and after" of a project. Some have even gone to the "extreme" by literally tearing down buildings and starting from scratch. While that may make for good TV, it is not sustainable practice in the great majority of situations.

What about recognizing simple, straight-forward "before and after" improvements to the exteriors of residences, commercial buildings, and public spaces (including their landscaping and grounds)? No tear-downs replaced by McMansions need apply. Instead, easy and "green."

Here's how it would work: Each month in each of our eight council districts, nominations are submitted to and reviewed by an independent team of experts, with a winner selected in each category. The winning entries are recognized and thanked by their city council member. Through additional communication outlets, the media and the public are educated on the "who, what, where, when, why, and how much" the projects "won" per the pre-determined criteria.

Let's do the math: 3 projects x 8 council districts x 12 months = 288 improvement projects per year. The property owner wins, neighborhoods win, we all win.