Kaid Benfield shares the seven winners of this year's National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement, who were recognized by the EPA for protecting "the health and the environment of our communities while also strengthening local economies."
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency press release, the 2012 award winners recognized across four categories (Overall Excellence in Smart Growth, Equitable Development, Main Street or Corridor Revitalization, and Programs and Policies) were selected from 47 applicants from 25 states.
Winners include the BLVD Transformation Project in Lancaster, California, which "helped transform downtown Lancaster into a thriving residential and commercial district through investments in new streetscape design, public facilities, affordable homes, and local businesses," and Benfield's personal favorite, Denver’s Mariposa (South Lincoln) revitalization, which "is turning an economically challenged area into a lively and transit-accessible community enthusiastically supported by current residents."
"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."
FULL STORY: EPA honors seven outstanding community sustainability projects
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Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)
Ada County Highway District
Charles County Government
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland