Contact: Paul Inghram, Director of Growth Management, pinghram@psrc.org or 206-464-7549
SEATTLE – The Puget Sound Regional Council and five cities within the central Puget Sound region are winners of 2020-2021 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards.
The annual Smart Communities Awards program recognizes achievements by local leaders who promote smart growth planning and projects that contribute to thriving communities, a prosperous economy, and sustainable infrastructure in Washington.
“I’m proud to showcase another impressive cohort of Smart Communities Award winners, each representing creative leadership and collaboration that will enrich these communities for years to come,” said Gov. Jay Inslee in a statement.
PSRC’s VISION 2050 plan was honored with a Judges’ Merit Award.
Adopted by the region in October 2020, VISION 2050 ambitiously guides anticipated growth of more than 1.5 million people over the next 30 years with a vision and specific actions to become a more prosperous, sustainable, and equitable region.
“We are thrilled that VISION 2050 has been chosen to receive the Governor’s Award," said Josh Brown, PSRC's Executive Director. "VISION 2050 is the result of three years of hard work and amazing collaboration across the region to create a plan that will help to shape a better future for all the people who live here.
"Congratulations to our region’s elected leadership and staff on this recognition – and congratulations to the five PSRC member cities who have been recognized for their outstanding efforts."
Below are the five cities within the central Puget Sound region who received awards for their plans, projects and partnerships:
The City of Kent won a Smart Vision Award for Rally the Valley, the Kent Valley Manufacturing/Industrial Center Subarea Plan.
Rally the Valley seeks to address the effects of evolving technology, transformations in industry, outdated land use policies, and fiscal constraints on the Kent Valley through goals, policies, projects and programs that steer toward the community’s vision.
The City of North Bend won a Smart Vision Award for its Downtown Form-Based Code.
The North Bend Downtown Commercial Zone project included a new Form-Based Code with the intention of helping redevelopment fit the character of the community and provide more housing options. A form-based code is an innovative land development regulation that fosters predictable built results and a high-quality public realm by using physical form, rather than separation of uses, as the organizing principle for the code.
The City of Lake Stevens won a Smart Vision Award for its Downtown Lake Stevens Subarea Plan.
This ongoing project, with support from elected officials, staff, consultants, and members of the community, identifies ‘fundamental concepts’ to create a dynamic and transformational downtown that honors the past and looks to the future. Through deliberate actions, the city started implementing the subarea plan in 2017 to revitalize the downtown into a civic hub and community gathering place.
The City of Renton won a Smart Partnership Award for the Willowcrest Townhomes.
This project is recognized as innovative for its partnerships, financing, and design. In collaboration with Homestead Community Land Trust, Renton Housing Authority, and JP Morgan Chase Bank foundation, the City of Renton created the first multifamily net-zero energy and permanently affordable homeownership development in King County.
The City of Kirkland won a Judges’ Merit Award for the Village at Totem Lake.
This project transforms a 1970s-era mall into a transit-oriented mixed-use village and a joint public-private partnership investment project. The project consists of 336,707 square feet of commercial space and 851 dwelling units, realizing the vision for the Totem Lake Urban Center from the Totem Lake Plan adopted in 2002.
PSRC develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth, transportation and economic development planning within King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. The Council is composed of nearly 100 jurisdictions, including all four counties, cities and towns, ports, state and local transportation agencies and Tribal governments within the region.
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, visit https://www.psrc.org/title-vi.
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