Grow Smart Rhode Island announces 2018 Smart Growth award winners

PROVIDENCE – Grow Smart Rhode Island has announced the winners of its 2018 Smart Growth Awards.

The awards – which Grow Smart announced Tuesday – are designed to honor “those shaping a stronger Rhode Island through innovative community revitalization and preservation initiatives and partnerships,” according to the organization.

Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the R.I. Department of Health, will be recognized as an Outstanding Smart Growth Leader for her “clear vision and targeted strategy for addressing socioeconomic and environmental factors that impact health outcomes for all Rhode Islanders, particularly those who live in under-resourced communities.”

Three projects will be recognized as Smart Growth Projects including:

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  • The Fair House in Warwick for its demonstration that the state can preserve its built historical elements while helping those in need.
  • The Forbes Street Solar Project in East Providence, an example of re-use of a developed and disturbed site for renewable energy that avoids the loss of the state’s natural resources.
  • The Newport Transportation and Visitors Center in Newport for its green infrastructure and bike-friendly features, as well as its mitigation of traffic and congestion while promoting more active forms of transportation.

Grow Smart Rhode Island also will recognize the Central Falls Green & Complete Streets Ordinance with an Outstanding Smart Growth Policy/Plan award. The ordinance requires public and private roadways as well as parking projects to safely accommodate all users of all abilities and to use green infrastructure, including street trees and bioswales.

The awards will be presented March 29 during the luncheon portion of Grow Smart Rhode Island’s Power of Place Summit at the R.I. Convention Center in Providence. More information on the summit can be found at the organization’s website.