The U.S. EPA recognized seven communities with its 2012 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized communities that exhibited outstanding achievement for environment and community sustainability goals in 2012. The Smart Growth awards are given for creative, green initiatives that better protect the health and the environment of our communities while also strengthening local economies.
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, Calif.
Equitable Development – Winner: Mariposa District, Denver, Colo.
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. Based partly on a compendium of maps called the Denver Regional Equity Atlas, done by Reconnecting America and Mile High Connects. The community’s master plan preserves affordable housing while adding energy-efficient middle-income and market-rate homes. The new community will include 457 homes, including over 300 public housing residences, workforce homes and other affordable housing. 147 units will be made available at market rates, creating a mixed-income neighborhood.
In addition, Landscape Architects Wenk Associates have developed an open space and parks system for the redeveloped neighborhood that integrates sustainable principles and stormwater management strategies. Green spaces will range from small courtyards to larger parks with playgrounds, picnic areas and a community garden. Because of extensive community engagement, development will include further 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. The Main Street location provides healthy food, new jobs, and housing within walkable distances of downtown businesses and public transit.
Programs and Policies – Winner: Destination Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Va.
The city of Portsmouth revised its comprehensive plan and undertook a broad review of its development and land use regulations. As a result, Destination Portsmouth prepared a package of new plans, zoning ordinances, and other development policies in collaboration with community stakeholders. Bordering the Elizabeth River with a waterfront in the Hampton Roads harbor on Chesapeake Bay, Portsmouth’s reputation is that of a quaint port town despite a population of almost 100,000. The overhaul of the city’s codes encourages development in targeted growth areas and helps businesses to locate in the city while also protecting the character of Portsmouth’s historic neighborhoods including Olde Towne and Cradock.
Equitable Development – Honorable Mention: Northwest Gardens, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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. With a focus on urban self-sufficiency, Northwest Gardens has empowered residents with tools such as a robust urban farm, community gardens, a social entrepreneurship program, direct support for grandparents taking care of grandchildren and onsite construction training for disadvantaged youths as they complete their GEDs.
Main Street or Corridor Revitalization – Honorable Mention: Larkin District, Buffalo, N.Y.
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 located one mile from downtown Buffalo. Architectural students worked with the developer and the city to create 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, Calif.
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 in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood located two blocks from a Muni transit station, and for a 64-unit building for seniors close to 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.
EPA created the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement in 2002 to recognize exceptional approaches to development that protect the environment, encourage economic vitality, and enhance quality of life. In the past 11 years, 54 winners from 26 states have shown a variety of approaches that states, regions, cities, suburbs, and rural communities can use to create economically strong, environmentally responsible development. EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities manages the awards program.
Updated 2 November 2021
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