Partners for Livable Communities Honors Smart Growth Governors

Partners for Livable Communities

The Investors in America Award recognizes individuals who use enterprise, vision and creative public/private leadership to bring new civic assets to communities around the world. Their exemplary efforts have resulted in the creation of projects, jobs and entire industries that offer our communities long-term assets and a renewed sense of civic pride. Under Glendening’s leadership, the State of Maryland was the first to pass a smart growth policy which restricts funds for new infrastructure development outside of state-designated smart growth areas. Additionally, the Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation program was established, the first of its kind, to help guide the State in determining guidelines for growth and its financing while reducing sprawl.

Glendening will be receiving the award in a unique pairing with distinguished Brazilian Governor Jaime Lerner for the State of Paraná. As Glendening has led North America in innovation in sustainable development, Governor Lerner has done the same in his native South America. Before his governorship, Lerner was Mayor of Curitiba for three terms. His obvious popularity was the result of his significant work making Curitiba an example of sustainable urban development for which he has been recognized many times.

Previous awards have gone to: the “Fields of Dreams” new urban stadiums and arenas that enliven downtowns: Camden Yards in Baltimore, Atlanta Arena in Atlanta and the MCI Center in Washington, DC; Cathy Bessant of Bank of America (formerly Nations Bank) for her significant commitment to community investment; the National Association of Manufacturers, Washington’s most influential and respected business group helping to shape national policy in exchange rates, exports and many other major issues; the Union Station Renaissance Team, one of the best examples of public/private partnerships that was a benchmark for the railroad revitalization movement and has been the most successful in terms of revenue, sales and business opportunities; Oliver T. Carr on behalf of the development team responsible for the return of the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC; and Ernest Hahn for the nationally acclaimed Horton Plaza, a mixed-use downtown development in San Diego, California.

For any more information on the event or an invitation, please contact Beth Belk, Program Associate.