Idaho Smart Growth is pleased to announce the 2020 Grow Smart Awards recipients and celebration. We will present and celebrate three Grow Smart Awards and our annual Charles Hummel Award this year through video tours and interviews of each project at a virtual celebration on Wednesday, December 2nd from 6 – 7:30 PM MST.
Though we may not be able to gather in person, we are excited to feature a panel of Grow Smart Award jurors who will discuss what makes an award winner, what they look for and why they awarded this year’s recipients with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of the panelists.
Wednesday, December 2nd
6 PM – 7:30 PM MST
Virtual Event – via Zoom
Sponsorships available; contact sarah@idahosmartgrowth.org.
Infill, revitalization and vision are words to describe all three of this year’s Grow Smart Awards – all elements at the heart of smart growth. Smart growth is never easy but this year’s awardees reflect the excellence that comes from a commitment to fulfilling smart growth principles.
2020 Award Recipients:
Hays Street Community
515 Hays is the redevelopment of an historic, 1920 single family home in downtown Boise. This project illustrates that it is possible to preserve historic homes and the strong sense of place in an historic district while increasing the low densities that often occur in residential historic districts.
The jury found this nomination a unique example of smart growth. Juror Jaap Vos said, “As a fairly small project they clearly set out to accomplish smart growth principles and despite numerous regulatory obstacles, they succeeded.” Juror Mark Baltes appreciated that the project was “conservative when it comes to infill in a historic district and how effectively they used the location.”
Future Public School
Future Public School, is a new public charter school in the heart of the Garden City. The success of this project illustrates what is possible when strong partnerships come together. As a component of the ‘Parkway Station’ area, the school adds to the areas sense of place through its mission to provide a STEM curriculum to the youth of Garden city.
Juror Maureen Gresham commented, “It took a lot of hard work to raise money and get a brand new school in that development. [It’s] unique in that they built close partnerships and joint use of the area.”
Working with other Parkway Station development, the school was able to maximize limited space and provide enhanced opportunities for students. The school funded the construction of a new cafeteria for the Boys and Girls Club that the school uses during lunchtime and they utilize Garden City’s Riverfront Park for their outdoor/ playground space.
10th and Main
The renovation of one of the oldest mixed-use buildings in the heart of downtown Boise, now known as Tenth and Main, unearthed a hidden architectural gem. The design team’s goal was a full building transformation and a revitalization of the block to draw people in and create a destination.
The restoration of this vacant building to full occupancy and revitalization at the street level has strengthened the community, created open space and reactivated this street corner. The jury commended the project for the mixed-use elements knowing “how hard it is to get financing for such projects” commented Juror Doug Cooper. The jury also appreciated that they used the renovation to bring back the building’s original architecture.
Steve Lockwood—Charles Hummel Award
This award is given by the Idaho Smart Growth Board of Directors in honor of architect, civic leader and Idaho Smart Growth cofounder Charles Hummel. This year’s Charles Hummel Award is given to Steve Lockwood posthumously.
Steve practiced smart growth principles in every aspect of his life. From developing one our first Grow Smart awarded projects in Sandpoint to serving on Idaho Smart Growth’s board and the board of Idaho Conservation League. Steve, along with his wife Molly, chose to live where they could and did walk for much of their daily transportation.
Steve unfortunately left us this year in February…Idaho will surely miss his leadership.
Please join us Wednesday, December 2nd and help us celebrate these excellent examples of smart growth in Idaho; email to RSVP office@idahosmartgrowth.org
Thank you to our event sponsors!
