Maryland Sustainable
Growth Awards
Presented Today
in Annapolis

Awards Recognize People, Projects
that Advance Sustainable Growth
and Conservation in Maryland

(May 7, 2019) ANNAPOLIS, MD  - The Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission today presented awards for leadership and community planning at its seventh annual awards ceremony at the Maryland State House in Annapolis. The awards recognize individuals, organizations, and programs that exemplify well-planned economic and community development initiatives throughout the state.

"These awards recognize people and projects from across Maryland that bring the full measure of creativity, innovation, and passion to our communities,” said Governor Larry Hogan.
“Our administration is proud to honor and celebrate their commitment to helping change Maryland for the better."

The five winners are individuals and organizations that demonstrate their commitment to sustainable growth – development or redevelopment that is compact, walkable, and takes advantage of existing infrastructure while preserving the rural landscape – in Maryland.

“Resourcefulness, innovation, and creativity are all part of what makes Maryland a leader in cultural preservation, community and economic development, and environmental stewardship,” said Robert McCord, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning “I congratulate all of the winners for their revitalization efforts that create jobs, economic opportunities, and improve the quality of life in their communities.”

“The commission and I are thrilled to recognize these two leaders and three outstanding projects,” said Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission Chair Susan Summers. “The Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards are the highest level of recognition of leadership and excellence for economic and community development and sustainability in the state.”

The 2019 Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards winners are below:

Leadership & Service: These awards are for activities or accomplishments that advance public appreciation, understanding, or involvement in promoting smart growth and sustainable communities at the state, regional, or local level.

• Tom Stosur – For nearly a decade as Baltimore City’s Planning Director, Tom Stosur implemented innovative plans, policies, and programs to increase the public’s appreciation, understanding, and involvement in community and economic development. During his tenure, Tom led several planning efforts aimed at creating a higher quality of life in Baltimore and enhanced the sustainability of the city including a new zoning code, a Sustainability Commission, the Baltimore Green Network program, expanding the use of Historic Preservation tax credits, and launching a Food Policy initiative and new urban agriculture policies.
• Chris Ryer – For more than 30 years, Chris Ryer has been a leader in Baltimore City’s community development, planning, and nonprofit communities. Chris has developed an array of programs, projects, and local initiatives that have sparked revitalization throughout southwest and southeast Baltimore.

Sustainable Communities: These awards are for facilitating or creating development that addresses at least one or more of Maryland’s 12 Planning Visions.

• New Shiloh Village Apartments – Not long ago, a vacant warehouse occupied a contaminated site at the corner of Payson Street and Windsor Avenue in Baltimore, a blighted property just a few blocks away from good transit connections at the Mondawmin Mall and Coppin State University. Today, the New Shiloh Village Apartments stands on the block, made up of 73 apartments and representing $22 million in new investment. Sixty-five of the apartments are affordable for low-income families -- including 19 for very low-income residents -- and the remaining eight are market rate.
• Bel Air Armory – For more than a century, the Milton A. Reckord Armory has been a fixture on Bel Air’s Main Street. After years of use, however, the building needed re-purposing after the Maryland National Guard vacated the site, presenting the Town of Bel Air with a significant challenge to convert it into a viable and valuable community asset. Now, after a decade of planning, the facility has been transformed into a business incubator, the Armory Marketplace, providing affordable rental spaces for local start-ups and arts organizations, adding jobs, driving foot traffic, and enhancing the vibrancy of Main Street.
• Central Baltimore Partnership – In 2012, the Central Baltimore Partnership set out to revitalize six of its low- and middle‐income neighborhoods by creating new housing, eliminating blight, improving local schools, and re-purposing public spaces. Five years later, after a year-long process and intensive public meetings involving more than 200 participants, a community vision plan entitled Front and Center: A Five‐Year Equity Plan for Central Baltimore, was created to remove social and economic barriers and build an inclusive, equitable Central Baltimore where all low- and middle‐income families benefit from redevelopment.

Short videos about each award recipient are available at http://bit.ly/19growthawards.

The Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission makes recommendations on growth and development issues and celebrates these achievements with an annual awards program. Commission members, who represent local and state government, business and nonprofit organization sectors, promote coordination and cooperation regarding innovative and responsible growth and development throughout Maryland.

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