|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2020
City of Kenmore receives statewide Municipal Excellence Award
OLYMPIA, WA – With this year’s Municipal Excellence Awards, the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) honored five cities putting creative ideas to use for their communities.
“This year’s projects demonstrate some of the ways that Washington’s city leaders are applying innovative solutions to their diverse needs,” said Peter B. King, AWC CEO. “I hope these will be a source of ideas and inspiration throughout the state.”
Chosen from 25 applications, the 2020 AWC Municipal Excellence Award winners include the City of Kenmore for The Hangar at Town Square.
Kenmore’s extensive downtown redevelopment is anchored around The Hangar, a new community building on the Town Square public plaza. The complex serves as a gathering place at the center of the city’s plan for a revitalized residential and commercial district, and the aviation theme honors the city’s ongoing seaplane heritage. Residents can casually meet friends at the on-site coffee shop, enjoy a public arts performance, or reserve one of two meeting rooms for larger community gatherings free of charge. Revenues from private development covered constructions costs of the public spaces, and public-private partnerships were leveraged to ensure compatibility with the city’s vision.
AWC’s Municipal Excellence Awards recognize innovative city projects that significantly improve the quality of life for their communities. The competition is open each year to any Washington city or town. Projects will be recognized at AWC’s Annual Conference Online this June.
This is not the first award the City of Kenmore has received for its Downtown Kenmore redevelopment projects. In 2016 Kenmore was awarded the Washington State Governor’s Smart Communities Award for serving as a model for other smaller communities wanting to encourage economic growth and revitalize their downtown, increase housing and activate retail in the city center. Kenmore was also awarded the 2019 VISION 2040 Award from the Puget Sound Regional Council for its downtown creation project. This award recognizes innovative projects and programs that help ensure a sustainable future as the region grows.
AWC serves its members through advocacy, education, and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington's cities and towns. AWC is governed by a 25-member Board of Directors of mayors, councilmembers, and city managers from across the state.
|
