December 1, 2006—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented its 2006 National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement on November 15 to recognize several state, regional, and local governments and other public sector entities for their innovative approaches to development that strengthen community identity and protect the environment.
The award categories and winners are:
Overall Excellence: Commonwealth of Massachusetts for creating the Office of Commonwealth Development (OCD) to better coordinate state spending and policy decisions that influence where development happens, encourage innovative development locally, and make private investment in good projects easier.
Built Projects: City of Wichita, KS, for the environmental clean-up and redevelopment of an abandoned warehouse district into a lively, pedestrian-friendly community known as “Old Town.”
Policies and Regulations: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, for the Pennsylvania Fresh Foods Financing Initiative (FFFI), a public-private partnership between the state and three non-profit organizations which provides grants and loans to help supermarkets locate in underserved communities.
Small Communities: The City of Winooski, VT, for revitalizing its downtown using Smart Growth principles. Winooski preserved or restored nearly 100 acres of natural habitat, returned vacant properties to productive use, and created several neighborhood parks. The project created a thriving, attractive center with much-needed housing, stores, offices, and public spaces.
Equitable Development: City of Chicago for funding the development of Bethel Center, which provides employment services, child care, retail space, and banking in a “green” building erected on a former brownfield site.
For more information on EPA’s Smart Growth program or this year’s winners, visit EPA.
