Grow Smart makes 2015 awards for innovative development solutions

PROVIDENCE – The nonprofit Grow Smart Rhode Island released its 2015 Rhode Island Smart Growth Awards on Monday, recognizing state residents, businesses and government agencies for launching innovative preservation and revitalization solutions.
The awards will be presented May 21 in a ceremony at Providence G, followed by a reception at the Providence Arcade, according to a release from the organization.
“Each year, passionate, creative and resourceful Rhode Islanders show us the way to tap our state’s full potential through projects, plans and policies that play to Rhode Island’s strengths, generate enduring economic benefits, both statewide and in specific neighborhoods,” said Scott Wolf, executive director of the organization.
The awards will go to:

  • Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, recognized for a “clear vision of how mass transit can better work for Rhode Islanders and our economy.” Avedisian, chairman of the R.I. Public Transportation Authority since 2012, also was recognized for his work in emphasizing the City Centre Warwick design in Warwick, which is a transit-oriented development plan.
  • The Pawtucket Foundation, recognized as a driving force behind initiatives that are helping to revitalize downtown Pawtucket by using smart growth principles and strategies.
  • Sheila Deming Brush, who provided “operational support and strategic planning to the business and nonprofit leaders that founded Grow Smart Rhode Island, secured the organization’s initial funding” and later became its first employee.
  • Hope & Main, the state’s first culinary incubator, “Hope & Main is an innovative nonprofit enterprise that provides low overhead, kitchen space and business mentoring to beginning food businesses.”
  • The Design Exchange, a restored four-story brick building in downtown Pawtucket. Owned and redeveloped by LLB Architects, the building is now filled with graphic, industrial and interior designers, photographers, textile designers, architects and engineers.
  • North Cove Residential Neighborhood, adjacent to Wickford village in North Kingstown, this is “a great example of how a suburban community can encourage and support development of affordable rental homes.” Completed in 2013 by North Dartmouth Properties Inc., it features a cluster design with 38 homes.
  • Center for Physician Studies at Johnson & Wales University, the university selected a former jewelry factory in Providence to begin the first physician assistant program in Rhode Island. Leveraging its proximity to Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, the two schools are now collaborating and sharing professional resources.
  • City of Providence Zoning Ordinance, the product of two years of work, adopted in November 2014, the zoning ordinance makes it easier to develop residential spaces above commercial space, and emphasized pedestrian, bike-friendly and transit-oriented development policies.

No posts to display