Sixteen cities, five counties, two ports and one school district receive awards for smart growth planning
OLYMPIA – Governor Jay Inslee today announced winners of the 2014 Smart Communities Awards. Now in its ninth 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 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 and do business thanks to these examples of leadership and innovation in community planning and development.”
2014 Smart Communities Award winners are:
- City of Tacoma for its South Downtown Sub-area Plan an innovative long-range planning strategy
- Thurston County’s Sustainable Thurston Vision and Action Plan integrating sustainability into all regional decision making to achieve a robust economy, vital society and healthy environment. It included, the Cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino, Rainer, and Town of Bucoda
- City of Redmond 2013 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) needed to achieve Redmond’s land use vision
- City of Kalama and Port of Kalama’s New Mixed Use Zoning District focusing on integration, not separation of different uses
- The Puget Sound Regional Council and the Growing Transit Communities Partnership for its strategy to attract growth and provide more housing choices near transit and improve equitable access to economic opportunity
- City of Ellensburg Land Development Code Update in an effort coordinated with a parallel Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy project
- City of Redmond Central Connector Phase I multi-modal transportation purposes
- King County and City of Seattle Unique Transfer of Development Right (TDR) and Local Infrastructure Funding
- City of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma Interlocal Agreement for Shoreline Public Access Provision
- City of Renton and Renton School District Meadow Crest Early Learning Center and Meadow Crest Accessible Playground
The judges also selected two projects for merit awards:
- City of Edmonds Strategic Action Plan
- City of Walla Walla downtown residential guidelines for developing upper level dwellings
“The 2014 Governor’s Smart Communities Award winners reflect the wide variety of efforts and collaborations that make up growth management planning in Washington,” said Director Bonlender. “Communities can move forward economically when good, collaborative work like this is being accomplished.”
Washington’s comprehensive Growth Management Act has been in place for 24 years. Using it as a framework, local communities plan and implement their vision for the future. For more information on the Governor’s Smart Communities Awards or the Growth Management Act, visit https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/growth-management/.
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Contacts
Penny Thomas, Commerce Communications | 360.725.2805
Jeff Wilson, Sr. Managing Director, Growth Management | 360.725.3055
2014 Governor’s Smart Communities Award Winners
Smart Vision Award – Comprehensive Planning
- City of Tacoma South Downtown Subarea Plan
- Thurston County Sustainable Thurston Vision and Action Plan
- City of Redmond 2013 Transportation Master Plan (TMP)
Smart Choices Award – Implementation of a Comprehensive Plan
- City of Kalama and Port of Kalama New Mixed Use Zoning District
- The Puget Sound Regional Council and the Growing Transit Communities Partnership – Growing Transit Communities Strategy
- City of Ellensburg Land Development Code
- City of Redmond Central Connector Phase I
Smart Partnerships Award – Development Project to Implement a Plan
- King County and City of Seattle Unique Transfer of Development Right (TDR) and Local Infrastructure Funding
- City of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma Interlocal Agreement for Shoreline Public Access Provision
- City of Renton and Renton School District Meadow Crest Early Learning Center and Meadow Crest Accessible Playground
Judges’ Merit Award
- City of Edmonds Strategic Action Plan
- City of Walla Walla Residential Guidelines
Other 2014 Nominees
Kitsap County Shoreline Master Program Update
City of Lacey Woodland District Strategic Plan
City of Monroe Sign Design Guidelines and Code
City of Poulsbo Zoning Ordinance
City of Olympia One-Sided Collection Program
City of Seattle Plaza Roberto Maestra