Michael Speaks, Dean of the College of Design, served on a committee to shortlist five design firms for the development of Town Branch Commons, a two-mile stretch of green space to be included in Lexington's arts and entertainment district. As part of the new Rupp Arena and Lexington Convention Center, the Town Branch Commons will include pocket parks, gathering places, and public art.

"Firms have heard that Lexington is friendly to good design, and that the mayor is knowledgeable and wants good design", said Speaks.

A public symposium will be held in February where the final proposals will be displayed. The final design will be chosen by a jury. "People can expect some high-level proposals", said Speaks. "We will be the beneficiaries, and the city will get a high-quality project."

The lead firms on each of the five teams are:

• Civitas, a Denver-based firm of architects, urban designers and planners
• Coen+Partners, a landscape architecture practice based in Minneapolis.
• Inside Outside, a design firm with offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that addresses interior and exterior space.
• JDS / Julien De Smedt Architects, which focuses on architecture and design from large-scale planning to furniture, based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• SCAPE / Landscape Architecture, a landscape architecture and urban design studio in New York City.