2005 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement Booklet

From 2002 to 2015, EPA presented the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement to recognize and support communities that used 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.

Awards were given in the following categories in 2005:

Overall Excellence in Smart Growth: Highlands' Garden Village, Denver Urban Renewal Authority in Denver, Colorado
Built Projects: Belmar, City of Lakewood and Lakewood Reinvestment Authority in Lakewood, Colorado
Policies and Regulations: Central District Specific Plan, City of Pasadena Planning and Development Department in Pasadena, California
Small Communities: Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill Redevelopment, Town of Redding in Redding, Connecticut
Military Base Redevelopment: Baldwin Park, City of Orlando in Orlando, Florida

Overall Excellence in Smart Growth: Highlands' Garden Village, Denver Urban Renewal Authority in Denver, Colorado

Mixed housing in a neighborhood — Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the Highlands' Garden Village, which provided a wide variety of housing types and prices and allowed single people, seniors, and families to live in the same community.

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

People walking about at a street fair — Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the Belmar project. 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. Belmar's role as a gathering place for Lakewood's residents was enhanced by many festivals and events.

Policies and Regulations: Central District Specific Plan, City of Pasadena Planning and Development Department in Pasadena, California

People signing papers in front of a bus — Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the City of Pasadena Planning and Development Department in the creation of the Central District Specific Plan.

The city used a modified story bus to bring the planning process to community meetings, picnics, and other gatherings. Active outreach like this ensured that all members of the community have the opportunity to shape their city’s future.

Created with extensive citizen participation, the city of Pasadena's Central District Specific Plan encouraged downtown investment, made walking safe and inviting, and preserved its historic character. With this plan, Pasadena could 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: Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill Redevelopment, Town of Redding in Redding, Connecticut

View of Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill — Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the redevelopment of the Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill, a former brownfield site.

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.

The cleanup and redevelopment of the site protected public health and community character while offering new amenities.

Military Base Redevelopment: Baldwin Park, City of Orlando in Orlando, Florida

Children playing in neighborhood playground. — Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the redevelopment of a 1,100-acre naval training facility in Orlando into Baldwin Park, a new mixed-use community.

When the training facility 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.

The community created 16 extra acres of parkland by using innovative, underground, stormwater management systems.

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