Project will help generate jobs and economic growth, and improve quality of life in the Puget Sound region

October 15, 2010

SEATTLE  – Led by the Puget Sound Regional Council, an innovative new regional consortium was awarded a $5 million dollar grant yesterday as part of a new initiative intended to build economic competitiveness by connecting housing with good jobs, quality schools and transportation. Out of 1,000 applicants, the region was one of 45 areas across the country awarded a Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant yesterday by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“It is a great credit to the consortium that created the grant application that our region was one of only five nationwide that received the maximum $5 million award,” stated John Hempelmann, chair of the Quality Growth Alliance (QGA), whose members are committed to managing urban growth and leveraging it as an opportunity to address critical concerns such as density, access to transit, creation of community benefits such as mixed-income housing, and environmental sustainability.

Most of the grant is focused on transit-oriented development corridor action strategies, affordable housing, community engagement, demonstration projects in Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma, and the Decision Commons, QGA’s mobile interactive visualization tool. Hempelmann added, “This is a very big deal for our region and a coup for our Quality Growth Alliance. It will support the great energy we have been building for sustainable communities and transit oriented development in central Puget Sound.”

The collaborative effort will work towards implementation of VISION 2040 — the central Puget Sound regional plan —  by planning for high-capacity light rail and transit stations serving the region’s most densely populated and diverse communities. With the immense growth expected in the Puget Sound region over the next 10 to 20 years, the consortium recognized the opportunity to shape the region’s urban form and ensure transportation improvements support sustainable development and foster vibrant, healthy neighborhoods for all.  

“We are thrilled to be receiving this grant. This is a significant recognition for our successes at working together regionally as well as an endorsement of our focus on integrating transportation and growth management planning with economic development strategies within an environmental framework. This grant will help the region translate broad policy into programs that work to create sustainable prosperity in the region,” explained Bob Drewel, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Regional Council, which serves as the agency lead for the consortium.

Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) has been a leading voice within the consortium and frequently speaks of the need for cross-sector collaboration. That idea specifically relates to CLC’s Cascade Agenda, which lays out a bold, 100-year vision to conserve this region’s lands and waters, while creating livable communities.  “The Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant exemplifies the goals of the Cascade Agenda – bringing a diverse group to maintain rural economies and enhance the livability of cities and towns is what will ultimately lead to a sustainable future,” said Gene Duvernoy, CLC’s President.

Communities from every state in the U.S. competed for the HUD awards. HUD has requested an additional $150 million in the FY 2011 budget.  If approved, that funding would make HUD’s Sustainable Communities grant programs a more permanent part of its work to bring together elected leaders, the business and civic communities, and the public to develop long-term strategies for growing their communities in a way that improves quality of life, grows local economies and improves environmental sustainability.

For more information see www.psrc.org

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Project Partners: ARCH, Cascade Land Conservancy, Cites of Bellevue, Everett, Seattle, Redmond, Tacoma, Community Development Collaborative, Impact Capital, King County, King County Housing Authority, North Seattle Community College, Public Health Seattle-King County, Puget Sound Regional Council, Seattle Housing Authority, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, University of Washington, Urban Land Institute—Seattle District Council.

Puget Sound Regional Council:

The mission of the Puget Sound Regional Council is to play a key regional role in keeping central Puget Sound thriving as we grow. PSRC is committed to creating a great future for the region through planning for regional transportation, land use and economic development, under authority embodied in state and federal laws.  At PSRC, central Puget Sound counties (King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap), cities and towns, ports, tribes, transit agencies, and the state work together to develop policies and make decisions about regional issues.  PSRC works with local government, business and citizens to build a common vision for the region’s future, expressed through three connected major activities: VISION 2040, the region’s growth strategy; Transportation 2040, the region’s long-range transportation plan; and Prosperity Partnership, which develops and advances the region’s economic strategy.  For more information see www.psrc.org.

Quality Growth Alliance:

About the Quality Growth Alliance

The Quality Growth Alliance is committed to building upon shared principles and fostering creative approaches not only to manage growth, but also to leverage it as a regional opportunity. Alliance members include the Urban Land Institute Seattle District Council; Puget Sound Regional Council; University of Washington College of Built Environments; Enterprise Community Partners; Cascade Land Conservancy; Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties; Futurewise; and NAIOP – The Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Washington State Chapter. More information is available at www.qualitygrowthalliance.org.

Cascade Land Conservancy:

The Cascade Land Conservancy is the largest land conservation, stewardship and community building organization operating in Washington State with headquarters in Seattle and principal offices in King, Kittitas, Mason, Pierce and Snohomish Counties.  Founded in 1989, the Conservancy has protected 158,000 acres of working forests, farmlands and natural areas as well as estuary lands on the Olympic Peninsula and along the Washington Coast.  It provides stewardship services, caring for more than 12,000 acres of land.  Since 2005 it has been the host organization of The Cascade Agenda, which links conserving great lands with creating great communities. For more information, please visit www.cascadeland.org