Blue Springs Awards & Recognitions
Community
In 2016, a US real estate investment management company named HomeUnion identified Blue Springs as the number one place (zip code) in the US where home buyers can find an affordable home with access to good schools.
Blue Springs schools were ranked at the 88th percentile and a median price for homes at $143,000; this was one-third lower than the national median price according to this CBS news piece.
Development
The Woods Chapel Road Reconstruction Project was named the 2017 Capstone Real Estate Award Winner for the Infrastructure Category from the Kansas City Business Journal. This three phase project included the creation of a new Park-N-Ride lot along with bicycle and pedestrian pathways. It also resulted in the installatin of two new traffic signals, realigning and widening the roadway and adding a roundabout at the Walnut Street intersection. The project dramatically streamlined rush hour congestion, better serves our existing businesses and creates a beautiful western gateway into Blue Springs while sparking private investment along the corridor.
Blue Springs Fieldhouse
A 76,000-square-foot indoor recreational facility that provides fitness opportunities for all, the Blue Springs Fieldhouse has been recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal with the 2016 Capstone Award in the Community Impact Category.
The facility has also been awarded the Tarkett Sports Indoor Recreation Project of the Year Award, a recognition given to Tarkett’s best indoor project in North America.
Athletic Business Journal
The Blue Springs Fieldhouse was featured in the Athletic Business Journal as one of the nation’s State of the Art Facilities in the Architectural Showcase Edition.
Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building
Kansas City Business Journal
The newly renovated Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building has also been recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal with a 2016 Capstone Award in the Green Design Category. This was a LEED sustainabilityproject, with high levels of recycled materials andconstruction that prepared the building for long service.
Missouri Municipal League Innovation Award
In September 2016, Blue Springs Parks & Recreation accepted the Missouri Municipal League (MML) Innovation Award for the Blue Springs Fieldhouse. In late 2014, the City decided to invest in residents' recreational and wellness needs by redeveloping the former SportsCity building . Using this existing resource redeveloped an aging, function-specific building and saved a significant amount of taxpayer dollars by repurposing a building already located in the community.
The MML Innovation Awards program showcases municipal projects that demonstrate new approaches for solving municipal challenges.
City Government
Community for All Ages - Bronze Award
The city of Blue Springs was recently named a “Community for All Ages,” which recognizes its work to become more age friendly. The recognition program encourages communities to respond positively to the rapid increase in the older adult population and to adopt policies and programs that make the region a great place for residents of all ages to live and age well.Blue Springs received a Bronze level recognition, which recognizes awareness of the issues and requires a resolution or commitment by the city’s elected body, as well as community presentations and engagement. Blue Springs Community Development representatives worked with program managers from the Mid-America Regional Council’s KC Communities for All Ages to learn about the issues, using materials developed by the program and attending workshops to learn how to assess our age-friendliness and make their community more welcoming for all age groups.
3CMA Award of Excellence
City Communications recently accepted the 3CMA Award of Excellence for the City's employee publication during the 28th Anniversary Annual Conference. Our internal newsletter, The City Beat, is an organic creation made by City employees to stay informed and an outlet for employees to recognize one another for their good work.
The 3CMA Savvy Awards Program is a nationwide competition that recognizes outstanding communications and marketing achievements in local government.
This is Blue Springs' fifth recognition by 3CMA.
2015 Missouri Municipal League Innovation Award
The Missouri Municipal League (MML) awarded the City of Blue Springs with their Innovation Award for our ongoing efforts helping current and future business owners grow their business. In early 2013, the City of Blue Springs, Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Blue Springs Economic Development Council (EDC) partnered to create the “How To Open And Grow Your Business In Blue Springs” guide. This step-by-step guide provides the business community with a centralized source for their needs including contact information for local and regional organizations and six steps to help start or relocate a business in Blue Springs.
This guide has successfully demonstrated a new approach to addressing municipal challenges by consolidating the City's fragmented business community and creating one voice across multiple agencies.
Downtown Alive!
Streetscape & Public Improvement Award
Blue Springs Downtown Alive!, the City of Blue Springs and the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce were awarded the Streetscape & Public Improvement Project Award by Missouri Main Street Connections for aesthetic and functional improvements to downtown Blue Springs including the addition of four new benches, four new recycling/trash receptacles and custom bike racks.
Creating Creative Places Award
Downtown Alive! was presented with the "Creating Creative Places" Award during the Missouri Main Street Connection's Evening of Excellence Awards Dinner and 10-year Anniversary Celebration. This award highlights the efforts of Downtown Alive! to infuse our downtown corridor with art that is both aesthetically pleasing tells a story about the rich history of Blue Springs.
Public Safety
CALEA Re-accreditation
The Blue Springs Police Department (BSPD) renewed national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). To achieve this status, BSPD was required to be in compliance with more than 400 documented standards conduct an on-site review of compliance by independent assessors and appear before a commission panel.
This process assures that they meet national compliance in regards to best practices in each aspect of policy, procedure and performance.
Start Right, Stay Right Award
Community and Youth Outreach Unit (CYOU) crisis counselors, Kerri Welch and Jessica Jackson were presented with the Start Right, Stay Right Award from Jackson County COMBAT for their commitment to helping students at Blue Springs School District.
Metropolitan Chiefs and Sheriffs Association Awards
The Metropolitan Chiefs and Sheriffs Association recognized two Blue Springs Police Department (BSPD) officers who demonstrated bravery and quick thinking while in the field. Officer Martin Blahut received the 'Life Saving Award' for his quick-thinking and CPR efforts that saved a man's life in early March of this year. Fellow Officer Steve Emberton, received the 'Bronze Award' for his efforts rescuing a Blue Springs resident and her pet from a house fire.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Officers Sara Murphy and David Ostendorf were recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their continuing efforts in
DUI prevention.
Officer of the Year Award
Officer Josh Davison was awarded the KC Metro
Area Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer of the Year Award.