The Puget Sound Regional Council and five cities within the region are winners of 2020-2021 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards.
This annual 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.
The 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."
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Rally the Valley seeks to address the effects of evolving technology, transformations in industry, outdated land use policies, and fiscal constraints on the Kent Valley through goals, policies, projects and programs that steer toward the Community’s Vision.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. The project will enhance the downtown area and secure its future as a social, cultural, and entertainment destination. 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 and state that it has been a “Labor of love” to revitalize the downtown into the civic hub and community gathering place residents and visitors enjoy today. The judges noted that the projects listed in the Downtown Lake Stevens Subarea Plan continue to receive priority through funding and local commitment, instead of depending on grants and this is one reason it received the 2020-2021 Governor’s Smart Projects Award.
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, and implements the 2016 Sunset Area Transformation Plan. This submittal was also highlighted by the judges as a model for others looking to begin climate-focused projects and environmental justice work.
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. The Totem Lake project is an excellent example of the implementation of a long-range community plan.
Washington’s Growth Management Act has been in place for more than 30 years and is a framework for planning for growth. Every city and county within the central Puget Sound region develops a long-term (comprehensive) plan to shape the future of their community. VISION 2050 is the regional guide for growth planning by the region’s cities and counties.