From left to right: Managing Director of LOCUS, Christopher Coes; Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO); Senator Mark Warner (D-VA); President of LOCUS, Chris Leinberger; President and CEO of Smart Growth America, Geoff Anderson.
For the next two weeks, we’ll be doing a special blog series highlighting some of Smart Growth America’s favorite accomplishments from 2012. This is the first of twelve that we’ll be rolling out, so keep an eye out for a new one every day!
In February, we presented Smart Growth America’s 2012 Leadership Award to Darrell Steinberg. Steinberg, California State Senate President Pro Tem, received the award for his incredible efforts in championing and helping to pass SB 375, legislation that integrates greenhouse gas reduction goals into California’s existing regional transportation planning process, and encourages planners to locate homes near jobs and create more transportation options. The bill not only fights climate change but also gives towns across the state the power to make land use and transportation decisions that strengthen local economies, reduce sprawl, preserve farmland and spur business development, furthering the cause of smart growth in California and setting an example for states across the nation.
In June, we presented the 2012 LOCUS Leadership Award to Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Warner, and recognized LOCUS Steering Committee Member Forest City Enterprises. Senator Bennet (D-CO) and Senator Warner (D-VA) proposed changes to the federal transportation bill, MAP-21, that would create a credit enhancement for TOD projects, an essential component of walkable communities. Bennet and Warner’s proposal proposed reducing obstacles to TOD construction by amending the Federal Highway Administration’s highly successful Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, which provides federal credit assistance to finance surface transportation projects of national and regional significance. By making TOD projects eligible for TIFIA loans, real estate developers are able to more easily bring the kind of development that creates neighborhoods with vibrant, connected communities and thriving business.
LOCUS also recognized Steering Committee Member Forest City Enterprises, a longstanding leader in the field of transit-oriented development, for the company’s work promoting walkable communities, including University Park at MIT 100 and its walkable, infill development in Stapleton, CO, a great example of just how successful transit-oriented development can be.
Celebrate 2012 and support 2013: Donate
We are honored to have worked with these great leaders in the smart growth field in 2012, and look forward to continuing that work in 2013. Help make it possible by donating to Smart Growth America today.
