FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2011
Contact: Michele Leslie Potter 206-587-4819, mlesliepotter@psrc.org

Snohomish Wins VISION 2040 Award for Pilchuck District Plan

SEATTLE – The City of Snohomish has won a 2011 VISION 2040 Award from the Puget Sound Regional Council for its Pilchuck District Plan and Development Standards. The awards recognize innovative projects and programs that help ensure a sustainable future as the region grows.

“The Pilchuck District Plan uses all the available planning tools to help achieve the city’s goal of creating a unique, marketable identity for the neighborhood,” said Mukilteo Councilmember Jennifer Gregerson, Chair of the VISION 2040 Awards Selection Committee. “We were impressed with the combination of planning innovations, historic preservation, and economic development in this plan.”

Snohomish’s Pilchuck District is located in between the Pilchuck River and the historic downtown. Despite the desirable location, the neighborhood has been dominated by its aging commercial and industrial spaces. Snohomish’s plan to revitalize the neighborhood into a vibrant community adjacent to its town center involves a several innovative programs, including transfer of development rights (TDR), complete streets, design standards that make use of the river front, and market-based land use planning.

“The Pilchuck District Plan has helped Snohomish to secure three important grants to realize the neighborhood vision,” said Snohomish County Councilmember Stephanie Wright, member of the VISION 2040 Awards Selection Committee. “These include water system upgrades, a transfer of development rights program, and improvements to the Centennial Trail.”

VISION 2040 is the region’s growth management, economic, and transportation strategy, designed to meet the needs of the 5 million people expected to be living in the region in 2040 (compared to the 3.7 million people living here today). It is an integrated, long-range vision for the future that lays out a strategy for maintaining a healthy region – promoting the well-being of people and communities, economic vitality, and a healthy environment.

PSRC develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth, transportation and economic development planning within King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. The Council is composed of over 80 entities, including all four counties, cities and towns, ports, state and local transportation agencies and tribal governments within the region. In 2012, PSRC will select projects for the roughly $400 million in federal funds the region can expect to receive over the next few years. PSRC is also the lead regional economic development planning resource and home to the Prosperity Partnership.

Title VI Notice: PSRC fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, call 206-587-4819.

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