2005 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement Booklet

Through the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, EPA recognized and supported communities that use innovative policies and strategies to strengthen their economies, provide housing and transportation choices, develop in ways that bring benefits to a wide range of residents, and protect the environment.

The 2005 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement Booklet includes:

A message from the EPA Administrator
How smart growth protects the environment
About the award
Descriptions and photographs of each award winner
Continuing achievements of past award winners

The winners are:

Overall Excellence in Smart Growth

Mixed housing in a neighborhood — The wide variety of housing types and prices allows single people, seniors, and families to live in the same community. Photo courtesy of award winner.

Highlands' Garden Village
Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Denver, Colorado

On a vacant 27-acre site 5 miles from downtown, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority helped facilitate the vision, design, financing, and economic development of Highlands' Garden Village, an innovative, compact, mixed-use community that has become a model for developments throughout the Denver area.

Built Projects

People walking about at a street fair — Belmar's role as a gathering place for Lakewood's citizens is enhanced by many festivals and events. Photo courtesy of award winner.

Belmar
City of Lakewood and Lakewood Reinvestment Authority, Lakewood, Colorado

The city of Lakewood teamed up with a local developer to turn a declining shopping mall into Belmar, a new downtown with a distinct identity. Backed by strong public involvement, Lakewood created a vibrant destination that, in addition to new stores, provides places for people to meet, new premium office space, and home and apartment options that had not been available in the area.

Policies and Regulations

People signing papers in front of a bus — The city used this modified story bus to bring the planning process to community meetings, picnics, and other gatherings. Active outreach like this ensures that all members of the community have the opportunity to shape their city’s future. Photo courtesy of award winner.

Central District Specific Plan
City of Pasadena Planning and Development Department, Pasadena, California

Created with extensive citizen participation, the city of Pasadena's Central District Specific Plan is encouraging downtown investment, making walking safe and inviting, and preserving its historic character. With this plan, Pasadena can grow while relieving pressure to build on steep, rural hillsides.

For an update on this project, see the 2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklet.

Small Communities

View of Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill — The cleanup and redevelopment of the Gilbert & Bennett wire mill protects public health and community character while offering new amenities. Photo courtesy of award winner.

Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill Redevelopment
Town of Redding, Redding, Connecticut

Cleaning up and redeveloping a brownfield site can be daunting for small communities. The Town of Redding overcame this challenge by working with a developer with brownfield experience to manage the cleanup and redevelopment of a closed industrial site into a healthy, convenient, attractive neighborhood.

Military Base Redevelopment

Children playing in neighborhood playground. — The community created 16 extra acres of parkland by using innovative, underground, stormwater management systems. Photo courtesy of award winner.

Baldwin Park
City of Orlando, Orlando, Florida

When an 1,100-acre naval training facility in Orlando was closed, the city and its partners used the opportunity to create an exciting new community that reconnects with surrounding neighborhoods and provides new homes, jobs, stores, and parks, all just a few miles from downtown Orlando.

For an update on this project, see the 2008 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklet.

2005 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement Booklet (pdf)