Redmond, WA –  The City of Redmond has received two Governor’s Smart Communities Awards for 2012. This program annually recognizes the outstanding efforts of local communities and their partners throughout Washington State to create quality communities. “The 2012 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards reflect the wide variety of efforts and collaborations that make up growth management planning in Washington,” said Rogers Weed, Director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. “Communities can move forward economically when good, collaborative work like this is being accomplished

The Smart Choices Award for Implementation of a Comprehensive Plan recognizes the City’s Vision Blueprint: Redmond’s Capital Investment Strategy, 2013-2030. The Capital Investment Strategy (CIS) summarizes all known capital investments needed over the Comprehensive Plan’s 18-year horizon, including capital projects and programs from all City functional areas: transportation, parks, public safety, utilities and general government. The CIS is an unprecedented approach for Redmond, and possibly Washington State, in that it attaches a price tag to the community’s future vision”, states Pete Sullivan, Senior Planner and staff lead. “By linking the Comprehensive Plan with near-term budgeting decisions, the CIS is helping the City identify key strategic actions to carry out the City’s long-term vision. Another benefit is it provides City staff and community members a long-term master plan of major capital investments - including timing and location – which increases opportunities for partnerships, and encourages community dialog in the budgeting process,” Sullivan added.

The Smart Partnerships Award for a Development Project to Implement a Comprehensive Plan recognizes the Tudor Manor project, a multi-family residential project in Redmond’s Downtown.

Robert Pantley, of Natural and Built Environments, LLC, and the City of Redmond worked in partnership to achieve a number of community goals through the development of this project, including providing affordable housing choices near transit and jobs. Pantley states, “The Tudor Manor project represents an innovative solution to the ever present and growing pressure on housing supply and cost. Sustainable building practices were wholly integrated with the provision of affordable housing choices.”

Tudor Manor is designed to resemble two large homes that consist of either four or five townhomes within each building. The townhomes are further divided into five to seven single room occupancy units for a total of 61 mini suites that rent for $495 to $795 a month, including all utilities and internet. Tudor Manor was developed using environmentally sustainable construction practices, installing high efficiency plumbing and heating systems in consideration of long term maintenance requirements. Tudor Manor has received LEED Platinum certification, Redmond’s first residential project to achieve this standard.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Governor Gregoire for the City’s efforts to plan for a successful, vital and sustainable future,” states Mayor John Marchione,” as well as for partnerships with the development community to achieve these goals,” he adds..

The awards will be presented to Mayor Marchione at a ceremony to be held on June 21, 2012 in Vancouver WA.

For more information on the Governor’s Smart Communities Awards or the Growth Management Act, visit www.commerce.wa.gov/growth. For more information about the City of Redmond and its plans and projects visit the website.  
 

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