What Happened?
The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded four cities with its 2012 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement out of a pool of 47 applications received from 25 states. The Overall Excellence award went to Lancaster, CA, for “The BLVD Transformation” project, which transformed a dilapidated downtown area into a mixed-use district.
So What?
The EPA created the award for coordinated, exceptional approaches to development focusing on economic development, environmental protection, enhance quality of life and redevelop disadvantaged communities.
The Details
Four projects won the first-place awards:
- “Overall Excellence,” The BLVD Transformation in Lancaster, Calif.
The project redesigned Lancaster Boulevard by investing in new streetscape design, public facilities, affordable homes and local businesses. In a city of 59,000 with vacant storefronts and an unemployment rate twice the national average the development has gained $273 million in economic output and 1,900 new jobs while transforming the Lancaster downtown. CONTACT: Chenin Dow, projects assistant, City of Lancaster, (661) 723-6165
- Winner, “Main Street or Corridor Revitalization,” The Cooperative Building, Brattleboro, Vt.
The Brattleboro Food Co-op, a local grocery store, faced the decision of moving out of town (for less money) or staying in town, investing in its site and maintaining a central location. It chose the road less traveled and spent more money to buy the strip-mall building it was renting, demolish it, then start over with a four-story, mixed-use, retail and residential complex in town. The $12 million construction project created 400 jobs, and the building now employs about 200 people. CONTACT: Connie Snow, executive director, Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, (802) 246-2103
- Winner, “Programs, Policies,” Destination Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Va.
Despite high employment numbers, the city was losing its population to the suburbs of the Hampton Roads area until it rewrote regulations creating a more walkable and convenient downtown for both residents and visitors in the tourist-heavy area. The goal is to give its residents more choices while bolstering the city’s economic life and safeguarding natural resources. CONTACT: Fred Brusso , interim planning director, City of Portsmouth, (757) 939-8836
- Winner, “Equitable Development,” The Mariposa District, Denver
The 2018 completion of the Mariposa District will end 11 years of planning and development, making the La Alma/Lincoln Park neighborhood of Denver an example of sustainable development. The planning will reduce energy consumption by 50 percent and between 75 and 80 percent of the rooftops will be dedicated to renewable energy. The plans are heavy on walking, biking and transit, reducing pollution in the area. CONTACT: Kimball Crangle, senior developer, Denver Housing Authority, (720) 932-3000
Future Awards
For information on how to apply for EPA Smart Growth grants and awards, please visit this page on the EPA web site.