Tacoma Wins Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development

Today, The Home Depot Foundation awarded its second annual Awards of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development to Tacoma, Washington and Burlington, Vermont. The awards recognize and celebrate cities that are incorporating real-world sustainability initiatives into their day-to-day operations, with a focus on wise use of budget dollars and increasing the livability of each community for all residents. Each winning city will receive a $75,000 grant.

From rebuilding on abandoned land and providing easy access to transit, schools and jobs to providing energy efficiency retrofits to homes owned by moderate income families, these cities are demonstrating that it is possible to make policy and development choices that respect the relationship between the economy, environment and equity. In each case, the city partnered with a local nonprofit organization to complete the project showcased by the Foundation.

Tacoma won as as the “Large City Winner” with the following projects being cited specifically:

• “The City of Tacoma has incorporated sustainability throughout its comprehensive plan ensuring that sustainable policies and business practices are considered when making all departmental decisions.”
• “Salishan, a HOPE VI project developed by the Tacoma Housing Authority, has been recognized as a best-in-class example of the successful completion of a sustainable community. On the site of a former WWII housing project, the new housing development is compact, affordable, accessible to transit, schools, jobs and bike trails and contains a community health center, community garden and a playground. The project meets recognized environmental standards and boasts green and efficient building and maintenance practices saving residents up to 30% on their energy bills.”

Boston, Massachusetts took the “Large City Runner-Up” position and will receive a $25,000 grant. Nice work, Tacoma.

More information at HomeDepotFoundation.org