Governor Chris Gregoire has announced the winners of her 2010 Smart Communities Awards for creating livable communities in Washington. 

“As Washington recovers from this downturn in the economy, the work of local governments and their partners in creating vibrant, quality communities is vital,” Gregoire said. “The leadership of these award winners helps to make Washington a great state in which to live and do business.”



Tacoma is one of six cities to win the awards this year. It is being recognized for its Neighborhood Centers project, which aims to plan for future development in neighborhood business districts around the city. This lengthy effort included considerable work on the part of Tacoma Planning Commission and Tacoma City Council, as well as city staff. Many Tacoma residents testified in order for their vision of what they want their neighborhoods to become.

The award winners are considered models for other communities in planning for smart growth. Their work demonstrates:

 innovative and wise use of land use, resource management and transportation planning resources to deliver a clear and long-term benefit to the community;
 effective city-county partnerships and significant public participation; and 
the incorporation of key components in their growth plans such as affordable housing, density that supports transportation and reduces vehicle miles traveled, and downtown revitalization that draws people and business to support economic vitality in traditional business districts. 



The cities will be presented with their awards at the Association of Washington Cities annual conference in Vancouver on June 24. Tacoma City Councilmember Joe Lonergan will accept on behalf of the city.

“The 2010 Governor’s Smart Communities Award winners reflect the wide variety of efforts and collaborations that make up growth management planning in Washington,” said Rogers Weed, director of Washington State Department of Commerce. “Communities can move forward economically when good, collaborative work like this is being accomplished.” 



Many of the projects included collaborations between government and the private sector.

 Washington’s comprehensive Growth Management Act has been in place for 20 years. Using it as a framework, local communities plan and implement their vision for the future.

Commerce is the lead state agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington. For more information visit www.commerce.wa.gov.