PRESS RELEASE
11.18.02

                 Press Release for:                               Media Contact:
                 Monday, November 18, 2002                 Barbara McCann - 202/207.3350

ADMINISTRATOR WHITMAN ANNOUNCES
2002 NATIONAL AWARDS FOR SMART GROWTH ACHIEVEMENT

EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today announced the 2002 National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement. Smart Growth America congratulates the winners on the innovative ideas that have enabled them to earn this honor. They have proven that communities can and do find innovative solutions to growth challenges. Winners were selected in four categories:

Built Projects: The Planning Department of Breckenridge, Colorado worked with the community to plan and design the Wellington Neighborhood, a reclaimed brownfield site that now provides affordable- and market-rate housing for local residents, as well as free public transportation to downtown jobs, shops, and public services;

Policies and Regulations: The San Mateo City/County Association of Governments, California created the Transit-Oriented Development Incentive Program, which provides direct funding to local land use agencies to build desperately needed housing near transit, offering families a choice of transportation modes for commuting to work, school, or running errands;

Community Outreach and Education: The State of Massachusetts created the Massachusetts Community Preservation Initiative, through which the State has provided tools, technical assistance and outreach across the state to help businesses and residents see the effects of different growth strategies and make more informed decisions; and

Overall Excellence in Smart Growth: Arlington County, Virginia won the top award for Overall Excellence for Smart Growth in the Rosslyn-Ballston Metro-Corridor. The Country adopted a General Land Use Plan that encourages compact, mixed-use development at the corridor’s five transit stations, creating vibrant, walkable neighborhoods where people live, work, shop, and raise their families.

“ The quality and diversity of the projects and initiatives selected reveals a true understanding and appreciation for the value and importance of Smart Growth,” said Don Chen, Executive Director of Smart Growth America. “These awards demonstrate that the Administration is committed to supporting State and local government in their efforts to revitalize and strengthen their communities. Administrator Whitman has been a leader on this issue and we thank her for her vision and her dedication.”

“I congratulate Administrator Whitman on bringing these Smart Growth achievements to the public’s attention. With the focus on homeland security and foreign policy being so pronounced these days, it is illuminating to see the Administration taking seriously the issue of how we are growing and using our land as a nation,” said William Hudnut, former Mayor of Indianapolis and Senior Fellow with the Urban Land Institute.

“The winners of these awards demonstrate that the interest in environmentally sound alternatives to sprawl is strong, widespread and growing,” said Kaid Benfield, Director for the Smart Growth Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “We can all be proud of their successes and learn from their innovation. We also commend EPA for recognizing them and for its own good work on this set of issues.”

“These award winners exemplify what Smart Growth is all about -- encouraging development that improves the quality of life in our communities while providing greater opportunities for housing and economic growth,” said Joseph Molinaro, Manager of Smart Growth Programs for the National Association of REALTORS®. “We congratulate Administrator Whitman on the success of this new awards program -- these Smart Growth stories will inspire other communities as they meet the challenges of growth.”

“The Enterprise Foundation adds our congratulations to those cited for their exemplary work. We are especially heartened to see that a housing component is included as an integral part of these smart growth solution," said Bart Harvey, Enterprise CEO. "Smart growth policies are one more tool for community development corporations and other nonprofits to use to create affordable housing, rebuild community infrastructure and address issues of blight and safety.”

Administrator Whitman created this awards program in January 2002 to recognize State, regional and local governments that have promoted and achieved smart growth through innovative projects, policies and programs. Over 100 State, regional and local governments applied for these awards, reflecting the quality and breadth of smart growth initiatives across the country.

For more information on the awards and the winners, go to
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards.htm

Smart Growth America is a national coalition of over 100 groups promoting a better way to grow; one that protects farmland and open space, revitalizes neighborhoods, keeps housing affordable and provides people with more transportation choices.

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