WASHINGTON (November 1, 2004) – A jury formed by the Smart Growth Alliance (SGA) has recognized five proposed developments around the Washington region for contributing land use, transportation and environmental advantages to the region.

The SGA is a coalition of five regional organizations: the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Coalition for Smarter Growth, Metropolitan Washington Builders’ Council and ULI Washington (a district council of the Urban Land Institute). These organizations, some of which have held opposing views on growth issues, formed the Alliance three years ago to research, identify and encourage land use, transportation and environmental policies and practices that support smart growth in the region.

The proposals recognized by the SGA are scattered throughout the Washington region: Rockville, Bethesda, Takoma Park, Alexandria, and Stafford County. Brief descriptions of all five projects are below.

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND
The JBG Companies was recognized for its “Upper Rock” proposal at the intersection of I-270 and Choke Cherry Road in Rockville, Maryland. Modeled partly on the successful traditional neighborhood developments of King Farm and Kentlands in Montgomery County, Upper Rock will redevelop an underused auto-oriented office park and build a mixed-use residential community that will eventually connect to the existing King Farm development and the future Capital Corridor Transit corridor.

TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND
In Takoma Park, Maryland, a vacant lot and perennial eyesore along the town’s central main street, Laurel Avenue, will be reclaimed for a sit-down restaurant and community theater. Additionally, through a public-private partnership a public parking garage will be built behind the development. The builder is the landowner, Takoma Park Shopping Center, who also owns the neighboring buildings. The redevelopment will respect the historic character of the surrounding buildings, and it has received the approval of the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission.

BETHESDA, MARYLAND
In downtown Bethesda, Maryland, Triumph Development, LLC is proposing to build a condominium project along Woodmont Avenue to the Northwest corner of Hampden Lane. The project will be within two blocks of the Bethesda Metro station. [To the project’s credit, the requisite amount of moderately priced dwelling units (MPDUs) will be placed on site. With property values and rents rising rapidly in the Washington region, it is crucial to provide affordable housing opportunities near transit stations.

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
In Alexandria, Virginia, Capital Associates is proposing to build a mixed-use (retail, office and residential) development in the neighborhood surrounding the Braddock Metro station. Of the project’s many amenities, most impressive is the Harris Teeter Grocery store that would be built on site. The neighborhood is currently under-served by retail, especially a full-service, quality grocery store. The proposal would go a long way toward bringing more residential uses to the neighborhood and putting more activity in the streetscape.

STAFFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
The Maryland Development Company, LLC (MDC) is proposing traditional neighborhood development around a Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station in Stafford County. MDC sponsored a week-long “charrette” process, performed by the award-winning design firm Duany Plater-Zyberk, that would support more compact development near the VRE station while preserving [33]% of the land as connecting open space vs. 10.8% unconnected open space in the by-right plan.

Sam Black, chairman of the SGA jury and senior counsel at Squire, Sanders and Dempsey, LLP in Washington believes that the diversity of these projects “proves that smart growth can – and should – look different in different locations. But all five proposals share the common principles of pedestrian-oriented design, development around transit, and a mix of uses that offer alternatives to conventional, auto-oriented development. More of these type of projects will allow the region to manage our growth in population while adding value to our neighborhoods and preserving open space.”

The SGA recognition program is now in its third year. Through the program, the Alliance highlights “smart growth” development proposals to raise awareness among public officials, citizen groups and developers of the long-term benefits of well-designed, pedestrian-oriented projects that incorporate a variety of uses and reduce dependence on autos as the sole means of mobility.

SGA members are advised and supported by representatives of more than 70 organizations, including the public sector, universities, businesses, local foundations, and environmental and civic groups from throughout the region. The SGA views alternatives to single-uses, auto-oriented design as critical in accommodating the area’s future population – now projected to rise by 2 million over the next 30 years.

Each quarter the SGA evaluates project proposals in the Washington area that are under review or subject to review.

Information on the application process is available at www.sgalliance.org; or through e-mail:sga@uli.org