2003 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 2003:

Overall Excellence in Smart Growth: Livable Communities Program, Metropolitan Council Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area in Minnesota
Built Projects: The Village at NTC, Department of the Navy–Southwest Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command in San Diego, California
Policies and Regulations: Housing Enhancement Loan Program, Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Community Outreach and Education: Georgia Quality Growth Program, Georgia Department of Community Affairs–Office of Quality Growth in the State of Georgia
Public Schools: Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School, Wake County Public School System/City of Raleigh in Raleigh, North Carolina

Overall Excellence in Smart Growth: Livable Communities Program by the Metropolitan Council Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area in Minnesota

New multifamily housing building with trees in front — Excelsior and Grand project. Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the Livable Communities Program in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area. This program provided financial and technical support to public entities and their private-sector partners to redevelop urban brownfield sites, produce lifecycle and affordable housing, and create or revitalize town centers and neighborhoods.

One resulting project, the Excelsior and Grand (pictured right), added almost 350 residential units and 160,000 square feet of retail to the area.

For updates on this project, see the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklets for 2004 and 2005.

Built Projects: The Village at NTC, Department of the Navy–Southwest Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command in San Diego, California

The Village at NTC in San Diego, 2003 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement winner in the Built Projects category — Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized The Village at the Naval Training Center (NTC) for bringing attractive, affordable housing to military families through an innovative public-private partnership.

The traditional neighborhood design created a place where families can live and play and have easy access to employment and shopping.

For updates on this project, see the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklets for 2004 and 2005.

Policies and Regulations: Housing Enhancement Loan Program, Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Cuyahoga County Housing Enhancement Loan Program — Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized Cuyahoga County Treasurer's Office's Housing Enhancement Loan Program. Working with private banks and local municipalities, this program has helped finance more than 4,700 home improvement loans worth over $57 million. For example, the owners of the house pictured right in South Euclid used HELP loans to renovate their home. The overall effect helped stabilize the neighborhood and increase property values.

These investments have helped stem out-migration and support residents to stay in their homes. It has also strengthened compact, diverse and livable neighborhoods, for less than $1 million per year.

For an update on this project, see the 2004 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklet.

Community Outreach and Education: Georgia Quality Growth Program, Georgia Department of Community Affairs–Office of Quality Growth, in the State of Georgia

Old shed in rural setting — Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the Georgia Office of Quality Growth for providing a full menu of resources to communities looking for better ways to grow. Rather than regulating, the state fostered exchanges of local success stories, provided model ordinances, and sent resource teams to communities that requested assistance.

One illustrative project was OQG working with Whitfield County and Murray County in North Georgia to retain the historic character along the Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway (pictured right).

For an update on this project, see the 2004 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklet.

Public Schools: Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School, Wake County Public School System/City of Raleigh in Raleigh, North Carolina

Students crossing the street in front of the school — Students at Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School. Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina. The middle school is situated in the heart of Raleigh's cultural and arts district, providing students with a unique educational opportunity that draws on downtown cultural institutions.

It is within walking distance of diverse neighborhoods, and it has helped strengthen and revitalize the surrounding area.

For updates on this project, see the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklets for 2004 and 2009.