by Brianna Crandall — December 7, 2012—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized seven communities with its 2012 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. The Smart Growth awards are given for creative, sustainable initiatives that better protect the health and the environment of U.S. communities while also strengthening local economies and enhancing quality of life.
The 2012 award winners are being recognized in four categories: Overall Excellence in Smart Growth, Equitable Development, Main Street or Corridor Revitalization, and Programs and Policies. Specific initiatives include improving transportation choices; developing green, energy-efficient buildings and communities; and providing community members with access to job training, health and wellness education, and other services.
The 2012 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement winners are:
Overall Excellence – Winner: BLVD Transformation Project, Lancaster, CA
The visionary redesign of Lancaster Boulevard helped transform downtown Lancaster into a thriving residential and commercial district through investments in new streetscape design, public facilities, affordable homes, and local businesses, sparking new life in the community and generating almost $300 million in economic output and nearly 2,000 jobs.
Equitable Development – Winner: Mariposa District, Denver, CO
The redevelopment of Denver’s historic and ethnically diverse La Alma/Lincoln Park neighborhood is turning an economically challenged area into a vibrant, transit-accessible, district, preserving affordable housing while adding energy-efficient middle-income and market-rate homes. Community-supported development will include actions to improve the health of residents, reduce pollution, and control stormwater runoff.
Main Street or Corridor Revitalization – Winner: The Cooperative Building, Brattleboro, VT
The Brattleboro Food Co-op, the town’s only downtown food store, made a commitment to remain at its downtown location by constructing an innovative, four-story green building on Main Street with a grocery store, commercial space, offices, and affordable apartments, all within walkable distances of downtown businesses and public transit.
Programs and Policies – Winner: Destination Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA
Following a broad review of the city of Portsmouth’s development and land use regulations, Destination Portsmouth prepared a package of new plans, zoning ordinances, and other development policies in collaboration with community stakeholders. The overhaul encourages development in targeted growth areas and helps businesses to locate in the city while protecting the character of Portsmouth’s historic neighborhoods.
Equitable Development – Honorable Mention: Northwest Gardens, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Through safer streets, job training and education programs, and high-quality, affordable homes, the once struggling Northwest Gardens neighborhood is rapidly becoming a model for economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The redesigned neighborhood offers a range of energy-efficient, affordable housing choices and is one of the first communities in the nation to receive LEED for Neighborhood Development certification. A local housing authority program also provides disadvantaged youths with construction training as they complete their GEDs.
Main Street or Corridor Revitalization – Honorable Mention: Larkin District, Buffalo, NY
Community organizations and a local developer partnered with the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning to help revitalize the Larkin District, an old manufacturing district. The partners created a master plan for an urban village that now features new office space, restaurants, apartments, parks, and plazas. New sidewalks, lighting, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, and bus shelters reduce pollution from vehicles by making walking, biking, and public transit more appealing.
Programs and Policies – Honorable Mention: Bay Area Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Fund, San Francisco, CA
The Bay Area Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Fund is providing loans for developers to build affordable homes near public transportation. At this point, the fund has provided loans for a 153-unit high-rise for low-income families near a major transit station, and for a 64-unit building for seniors near a light rail station that will provide free transit passes for all residents.
This year’s winners and honorable mentions were selected from 47 applicants from 25 states. The winning entries were chosen based on their effectiveness in creating sustainable communities; fostering equitable development among public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders; and serving as national models for environmentally and economically sustainable development.
