DES MOINES, Iowa - 1000 Friends of Iowa has announced the winners of its Best Development Awards for the past year - 2019.
A release by the organization says the awards program showcases projects that make a connection between built structures, land, and natural resource development and quality of life.
1000 Friends says its mission focuses on responsible land use, while promoting smart growth planning that helps achieve socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable communities.
The 13 winners were honored with a ceremony at the Iowa state capitol rotunda Tuesday.
Awards Coordinator Julia McGuire says winners can be communities that construct infrastructure other than city buildings.
"We awarded the city of Readlyn an award because they bought a big piece of land and installed a storm-water runoff wetlands," said McGuire, "That's kind of a built project, but a lot of people think a development is bricks and mortar."
Another award winner was a green-space in the town of Belle Plaine. McGuire says the city changed what was considered a downtown eyesore into a park where people can play instruments.
"Instead of people just walking by, people would park their cars and enter the space and interact with the space," McGuire said. "So instead of like playground equipment, they have instruments set up."
Johnson County was given the "Innovative Leadership" award for offering solar education and discounted pricing for people to add solar panels to their homes.
As far as brick and mortar is concerned, The Lee County Bank building and Cattermole Memorial Library in Fort Madison were awarded in the mixed-user category, which typically features a combination of commercial development on the first floor with residential space above.
The news release from 100 Friends says the bank and library's "rehabilitation and renovation have inspired similar investment in the area."
The 13 winners in nine categories were awarded by a group of five "jurors."
They included Pat Boddy of RDG Planning and Design; Megan Down of Impact7G; Jeff Geerts with the Community Development Division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and co-owner of Millennium HRM Press; Jeff Hanson from the City of Sioux City, and Ulrike Passe, Associate Professor at Iowa State University and Director for the Center for Building Energy Research.
1000 Friends of Iowa is an non profit 501c3 organization.