RACLT

Smart Growth Vermont

110 Main Street
Burlington, Vermont 05401
(802) 864-6310

PRESS RELEASESeptember 18, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Mary Harwood at (802) 864-6310 or at mary@smartgrowthvermont.org

Rockingham Area Community Land Trust and Housing Vermont were honored Wednesday, September 16, at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes for their work bringing the Proctorsville Green back to life. The project replaced the burnt out mill with new homes and restored other historic structures as homes for low and moderate income seniors. All are within an easy stroll of shops, the library, the school and other village services. The project even included space for a yarn shop and a new village post office.

“Vermont’s downtowns and village centers are integral to what makes Vermont special,” said Nancy Owens, President of Housing Vermont. “By working with town officials, nonprofits, public agencies, and investors we can ensure that these community assets remain vibrant and relevant. The Proctorsville Green project is a terrific example of integrating housing and commercial activities in a smart growth model.” Bruce Whitney, HomeOwnership Center Director for Rockingham Area Community Land Trust added: “It was a real pleasure working in the Town of Cavendish and village of Proctorsville. The community has been working very hard for years to return the former mill site into a vibrant village green.”

Smart Growth Vermont created the Awards program in 2006 to honor the people, projects and plans that keep Vermont a great place to live. Award winning projects are prime examples of how good land use can retain the character of Vermont’s cities and towns while allowing for growth. Two other projects and one plan also received awards the other evening:

Finney Crossing at Tafts Corners, a plan for mixed options for homes as well as integrated commercial and retail space in a walkable, inviting neighborhood in Williston

Banknorth Block in Burlington, a multi-faceted project that created new homes for low and moderate income families as well as commercial space by mixing new construction with historic rehabilitation. The result is a revitalized downtown block within easy access of stores, jobs, public transportation and recreation options.

ReCycle North’s Social Enterprise Expansion in Barre took an old granite shed and converted it to an energy-efficient training facility and ReStore for recycled goods and materials in downtown Barre within easy access to city and educational services as well as public transportation.

The same evening, Robert E. Woolmington of North Bennington was honored with the Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership. Rob was at the forefront of preserving our landscape and strengthening communities through his work with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and other community interests. The Arthur Gibb Award is in memory of the man often referred to as the “Father of Act 250.” Arthur Gibb Award winners are chosen for the following characteristics that Art was known for: leadership, commitment to public service, vision, creativity, ability to balance competing interests and forge consensus, integrity and humility.

Smart Growth Vermont is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to forging growth and conservation solutions for Vermont communities and working rural lands. For more information, please visit Smart Growth Vermont’s website at www.smartgrowthvermont.org.