Partners for Livable Communities Hosts
Annual Awards Ceremony

On Thursday, Febraury 21, 2013 Partners for Livable Communities hosted the annual awards ceremony: A Celebration of Vision and Community Spirit.

Recipients honored: Volkswagen Group of America; ROMA Design Group;  Louisville, Kentucky’s “55,000 Degrees” Campaign; former mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, George Latimer; Susan Rodgerson; Jonathan Barnett; and Jeff Cook.

Award presenters: Mayor Ron Littlefield of Chattanooga, Tennessee; former U.S.   Ambassador to Austria, Swanee Hunt; former director of the Department of Housing for the City of Pittsburgh, Paul Brophy; Mayor Chris Coleman of Saint Paul, Minnesota; Mayor Greg Fischer of Louisville, Kentucky; Vate Powell of MTV Networks, and former chairman of the City Planning Commission of the City of New York, Donald Elliott.

An additional tribute by Jim Rogers, former recipient of the Bridge Builders Award, was shared.

Syndicated columnist, lead organizer of Citiscope.org, and Citistates Group Chairman, Neal Peirce, was the emcee for the ceremony.

Description of Award Recipients:

Bridge Builders Award

Volkswagen Group of America, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for their longstanding commitment to sustainable mobility, environmentally responsible manufacturing, and maintaining corporate social responsibility.  Volkswagen group has a clear goal: to be the world’s most successful automobile manufacturer and the leading light when it comes to sustainability. Volkswagen is a central partner of Chattanooga, Tennessee’s vision of revitalization with its emphasis on a clean and healthy environment.

Charles Ansbacher Award for Culture and Community

Susan Rodgerson for addressing the need of art education and awareness for youth in America. During her years as a middle school art teacher in Boston, Rodgerson addressed the lack of art experiences in schools, which led her to create Artists for Humanity (AFH). AFH is an entrepreneurial venture that produces and markets paintings that reflects the voice and vision of the diversity of urban communities to the Boston business community.

Investors in America Award

ROMA Design Group for their commitment to beautifying the American landscape and making a positive impact in neighborhoods, communities, and cities around the country. Under the leadership of Boris Dramov and Bonnie Fisher, the ROMA Design Group has been known for its efforts to revitalize urban areas. In 2000, the ROMA Design Group won an international architectural competition, among 1,000 entries, to design the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.

George Brady Memorial Award

George Latimer for his transformative work in the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. During his tenure as Mayor of Saint Paul, Latimer created the Riverfront Commission, which led to the cleanup, improvement, and development of the Mississippi Riverfront.  Latimer is a national leader in promoting affordable housing, including work as the Director of Special Projects of HUD and sitting on the board of the AFL-CIO Housing Trust.

Entrepreneurial American Community Award

Louisville’s “55,000 Degrees” Campaign for increasing educational attainment possibilities for the citizens of Louisville. A group of local organizations began a campaign to develop programs that decrease high school dropout rates and strengthens college students’ chances of completing their degrees. The main goal of 55,000 Degrees is to add at least 40,000 bachelor’s degrees and 15,000 associate degrees, which will make Louisville a competitive and attractive world city.

Lifetime Achievement Award

John “Jeff” Cook, Jr. for his leadership in educating, training, and guiding the environmental workforce, the non-profit sector and social entrepreneurs. Cook founded the Environmental Interns Project, which grew into The Environmental Careers Organization. ECO has become a respected national leader in the development of new environmental professionals, leaders, and citizens.

William H. Whyte Award

Jonathan Barnett for his contributions to the urban planning and design realm. Barnett’s substantive work in regional planning, urban design, and academia is recognized around the country. He was awarded the Dale Prize for Excellence in Urban Design and Regional Planning as well as the Athena Medal from the Congress for the New Urbanism. Currently, he serves as the director of the urban design program at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a professor of practice in urban and regional planning.