Coalition honors smart growth advocates and community heroes
COALITION FOR SMARTER GROWTH
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 4, 2011
Contact: Stewart Schwartz
202.244.4408 ext. 121
Cell: 703.599.6437
Eighth Annual 2011 Livable Communities Leadership Award and
First Annual Sanders-Henn Community Hero Awards
Coalition for Smarter Growth Award Event Highlights Diversity of Support for the Leading Nonprofit Organization Addressing Growth in the Washington DC Region
WASHINGTON, DC – Last night at a special reception, the Coalition for Smarter Growth presented its Eighth Annual Livable Communities Leadership Award to David Bowers, one of the region's leading affordable housing advocates, who links green building and affordable housing with a focus on transit-oriented, smart growth locations.
For the first time ever, the Coalition also presented the Sanders-Henn Community Hero Award, named in memory of Harry Sanders and Carl Henn, two of the region's greatest volunteer smart growth advocates. The Coalition presented this new award to Marcia de Garmo of Loudoun County, Janet Brown of the District of Columbia, and Pamela Lindstrom of Montgomery County - leading community volunteers who have supported community involvement in planning, smart growth and affordable housing.
The reception, held in the beautiful headquarters space donated by National Trust for Historic Preservation, attracted over 120 guests, including leading conservationists, civic activists, government officials, mixed-use and transit-oriented developers, architects, housing experts, planners and attorneys. Event sponsors ranged from development and architecture firms to leading housing and conservation advocates.
“David Bowers is an inspiring leader in the region's affordable housing community who demonstrates the importance of partnerships and the linkages between affordable housing, green building, community building and smart growth,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. "Harry, Carl, Marcia, Pamela and Janet exemplify the personal dedication and the critical role played by volunteer civic activists in our communities. They each worked for greater public involvement in planning the future of our communities and helped to change the debate on critical transportation, conservation, and housing issues."
“From Gridlock on I-66 to people struggling to pay their housing costs, there’s still a lot we need to do in the region,” said Bowers, “This [smart growth] work, we have to make clear, is good for people. It’s good for businesses. It’s good for communities.”
Previous awardees include:
- Harriet Tregoning (2010), Director of the D.C. Office of Planning
- Congressman Gerry Connolly (2009), former Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- Bob Peck (2008), former President of the Greater Washington Board of Trade
- Dan Tangherlini (2007), former City Administrator, former Director of DDOT, and Metro General Manager
- James O. Gibson (2006), longtime leader of advocacy for urban communities in the foundation, government and non-profit sectors
- Leslie Steen (2005), non-profit housing developer
- Chris Zimmerman (2004), Arlington County Board Member
About David Bowers:
David Bowers is one of the region's leading affordable housing advocates, linking green building and affordable housing with a focus on transit-oriented, smart growth locations. As Vice President and Impact Market Leader at Enterprise Community Partners, Mr. Bowers facilitates affordable housing and community development deals in collaboration with government agencies, lenders, as well as for profit and nonprofit developers in the Washington D.C. region. He is a member of the board of Jubilee Housing and the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance and a Steering Committee member of the Community Development Support Collaborative. Mr. Bowers also serves on the Washington Sustainable Growth Alliance board with the Coalition for Smarter Growth, Urban Land Institute, and other partners.
The Sanders-Henn Community Hero Award
In 2010, the smart growth community tragically lost two of its greatest volunteer advocates, Harry Sanders and Carl Henn. Harry was known for his tireless campaign for the Purple Line and Carl for his dedication to conservation and community. To honor their memory and incredible contributions to the Washington region, we are naming our new Community Hero Award after them. This award will be given annually to local residents who demonstrate records of service and dedication to their community and make outstanding contributions to smart growth in the region.
The awardees are:
Janet Brownhelped transform the District of Columbia’s affordable housing policy and ensure that inclusive communities were a key part of smart growth in D.C. Among many other accomplishments, she also helped form the D.C. Affordable Housing Alliance and pushed the Mayor Fenty’s administration to accept and ultimately champion an effective Inclusionary Zoning program.
Pamela Lindstrom is the ultimate “citizen planner,” dedicating years of service to advocating for transit-oriented development and sustainable communities in Montgomery County. She pioneered and continues to promote a balanced land use vision for the county. Her rigorous research and analysis has demonstrated that a better east-west jobs and housing balance linked to transit-oriented development and affordable housing policies is the most effective transportation and land use solution.
Marcia de Garmo is known for her passion for conservation and public involvement in planning. As the driving force behind campaigns for sustainable growth in Loudoun County, she led a record-setting petition drive that changed the smart growth debate. A champion fundraiser for conservation causes, she is also one of the founders of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, a group that provides a political voice for smart growth and conservation.
More Information: http://www.smartergrowth.net/anx/index.cfm/1,263,1034,0,html/Livable-Communities-Leadership-Award-2011
###
