Governor Announces 2015 Smart Communities Award Winners
Six cities and one county receive awards for smart growth planning
Governor Jay Inslee today announced winners of the 2015 Smart Communities Awards. Now in its 10th year, the program recognizes achievements by local leaders who promote smart growth planning and projects that contribute to quality of life in Washington State.
“These forward-thinking projects help create and sustain a thriving economic climate and strengthen our ability to lead in the global economy,” said Gov. Inslee. “Washington is a great state in which to live, work and play, thanks to visionary leadership in our local communities such as those we celebrate today.”
2015 Governor’s Smart Communities Award winners are:
Smart Vision Award – Comprehensive Planning
City of Bellingham – Downtown Bellingham Plan. Judges noted it was the broadest, most inclusive look at downtown issues they had seen.
Smart Choices Award – Implementation of a Comprehensive Plan
City of Tukwila–Southcenter Sub-area Plan fostering development of a high-density, regionally-oriented, mixed use center including housing
Smart Partnerships Award – Development Project to Implement a Plan
City of Tacoma–Tacoma Prairie Line Trail – transformation of a one-mile historic railroad corridor in downtown Tacoma into public space linking Brewery District, University of Washington Tacoma campus and the waterfront.
Judges’ Merit Award
City of Renton–Kirkland Avenue Townhomes, the first publicly-funded, affordable, multi-family modular construction project in Western Washington.
City of Lacey–Woodland District Strategic Plan Implementation
City of Bremerton and Kitsap County–Gorst Sub-area Plan and Gorst Creek Watershed Characterization and Framework Plan
Other 2015 nominees:
City of Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park
Port of Camas-Washougal Waterfront Water Access Area and Trail
City of Tacoma Hilltop Sub-area Plan and Planned Action EIS
City of Burien-Port of Seattle Northeast Redevelopment Area Storm Water Facilities and Miller Creek Greenway
City of Covington Hawk Property Sub-area Plan and Planned Action EIS
“The 2015 Governor’s Smart Communities Award winners reflect the wide variety of innovative, collaborative efforts that contribute to successful growth management planning and economically vibrant communities in Washington,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender.
Bonlender will present the city awards on behalf of the Governor, June 26, 2015 at the Association of Washington Cities annual conference in Wenatchee. Dan McConnon, Commerce Deputy Director, will present the at the Washington State Association of Counties annual meeting in Skamania, November 18, 2015.
Washington’s comprehensive Growth Management Act has been in place for 25 years. Communities use it as a framework to plan and implement their vision for the future. For more information on the Governor’s Smart Communities Awards or the Growth Management Act, visit www.commerce.wa.gov/growth.