What kinds of project proposals are eligible for consideration?
Residential, commercial, institutional, or mixed-use projects (both new construction and rehabilitation) are eligible for consideration. Only developments that are – or shortly will be – under review for development approval and have not completed the entitlement process or broken ground are eligible to apply. Development proposals unlikely to achieve recognition, even though they may otherwise be eligible, may not be accepted for review. Applicants should contact the program manager Kelly Mann at (206) 224.4502 or kelly.mann@uli.org before submitting an application.

Will applications be kept in confidence?
Yes. All applications will be kept strictly confidential. If applications are not granted recognition, the jury’s comments will be provided and the applicant will be encouraged to re-apply.

What are the application deadlines?
The Alliance accepts applications for review on a quarterly basis. The 2010 application deadlines expire at the close of business on:

• Late Fall date TBD

Who makes the decision on recognition?
Applications are reviewed by an independent jury consisting of representatives of Alliance member organizations and other at-large jurors from throughout the region, who are appointed for their professional expertise and experience in development-related disciplines. Meet the Jurors.

What are the criteria used by the Jury to evaluate applications?
The jury evaluates each application against a set of demanding Recognition Criteria relating to these characteristics of a proposed development:

1. Location
2. Density, Design, and Mix of Uses
3. Transportation/Mobility/Accessibility
4. Environment
5. Mixed-Income Housing (for residential projects)
6. Community Benefits
7. Community Participation

The criteria vary depending on the level of recognition sought.

What different levels of recognition are available?

• Preliminary Recognition recognizes proposals in their early stages, typically in the conceptual phase of projects. Preliminary Recognition is intended to be used by the developer only to help obtain preliminary or concept approval required by a local government, and only indicates that the Plan conceptually meets the Alliance’s quality growth standards.
• Final Recognition must be based on detailed design and specification data and graphics, and indicates that the development meets the Alliance’s quality growth criteria and would, if built as planned, help the Puget Sound region accommodate growth in a manner that achieves sustainable economic, environmental and quality-of-life objectives.

Exemplary Recognition will be awarded in unique circumstances to developments that exceed Preliminary and Final Recognition criteria and are:

• Located in local jurisdictions that have the highest quality growth and sustainability requirements
• Surpass most or all local requirements or c) result in a local government adopting quality growth standards.

What are the benefits of recognition?
Recognition signifies that the project, as designed, will help the region accommodate anticipated growth in a manner that achieves economic, environmental, and quality-of-life objectives. The purpose of the program is to educate public officials and the public at large about the benefits of recognized projects to the community and region. This is accomplished through the following:

• A letter of recognition that demonstrates independent support by the Quality Growth Alliance’s diverse group of organizations
• Publicity through press releases, ads, website summaries and recognition at Quality Growth Alliance events
• Independent testimony by Quality Growth Alliance partner organizations at public meetings explaining the recognition and why the proposal gained it

When will project proposals be recognized?
Projects in the first round (June 15 deadline) will be recognized by mid August.

What are the costs of applying?
There is an application fee of $2,500 for each application. If an applicant received Preliminary Recognition and applies for Final Recognition, or reapplies for recognition, then a reduced fee of $1,500 will be charged. Checks should be made out to the “Quality Growth Alliance c/o ULI Seattle.”

Is there an application form? What information must be submitted?
There is no separate application form; applicants should respond within the recognition criteria document. The materials required to support an application are listed below. The applicant should address all applicable questions listed in the recognition criteria in a narrative no longer than 30 letter-sized pages and submit this in a bound format. Concise, clear, and detailed responses are expected. Printed materials, such as marketing brochures, as well as any studies or reports by either the applicant or the jurisdiction, may be submitted as attachments. The application must be accompanied by full-size copies of the materials listed below (half-size copies acceptable if legibility is not compromised). Legibility of graphics will be important. Submit one digital version of the criteria and graphics, and 12 hard copies of all materials (excluding optional materials).

Required Application Materials:

1. Project Description: Identify uses, number of levels, area, and brief project description
2. Vicinity Map: Identify site location, transit locations, adjacent key amenities
3. Neighborhood context plan: Provide aerial photo, identify site location, transit locations, adjacent uses and services and adjacent key amenities
4. Site Plan: Identify property lines, site access, parking, landscape area, open space, paving, street names, building outlines, setbacks
5. General Land Use Information: Provide zoning classification, comprehensive plan classification, site area, allowable coverage % or footprint, maximum basic height allowed, bonus height allowed, allowable FAR, units per SF or acre
6. Neighborhood Context: Provide images to show existing adjacent blocks or area and proposed development with relationship to adjacent
7. Proposed Project Mass Diagram: Show height, bulk, and scale
8. Building Floor Plans: Identify uses, areas, circulation, etc.
9. Building Elevations: Identify proposed materials and finishes if applying, and building height
10. Development Team Track Record: Provide development team contact information including developer, designers, engineers, and other consultants. Provide listing of completed projects that demonstrate a track record of high-quality performance and proven experience
11. Local Government Process: Provide information on where the development is in the local government development review process. Provide summaries of staff reports and recommendations.
12. Recognition Criteria: Complete document

Where should applications be sent?
Email digital materials to kelly.mann@uli.org. For large files, contact us to make arrangements to share these files using FTP or other methods. Mail or hand-deliver applications to the Quality Growth Alliance c/o Mithun, Attn: Bill Kreager, Pier 56, 1201 Alaskan Way, Suite 200, Seattle, WA, 98101.
Where is more information available? Send application questions to kelly.mann@uli.org.

Recognition Program Criteria

Bill Kreager, FAIA, MIRM, LEED
Principal, Mithun
As a principal of Mithun, an architectural, design and planning firm, Bill has led the Urban Housing and Planning teams to national prominence in the housing industry. His projects have achieved recognition for environmentally sensitive master site planning and innovative architectural design. His market-oriented work includes projects from small infill communities to new towns of 6,000 acres. The integration of site planning and building design in urban infill, mixed-use development, and sustainable design are the particular focus areas in his practice area. Bill has built strong ties among numerous organizations, such as MBA, AIA, ULI and NAHB, as well as with HUD, leading them to work in concert to reach shared goals in sustainable design, affordable housing, and livable communities.

Recognition Program Jurors

Anne Vernez Moudon, B.Arch. (Honors), Dr. es Sc.
Professor of Urban Design and Planning, Architecture, and Landscape Architecture
Professor Moudon’s work focuses on urban form analysis, land monitoring, neighborhood and street design, and non-motorized transportation. Her current research is supported by the US and Washington State departments of Transportation, the Puget Sound Regional Council, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anne has consulted for many communities nationally and internationally to develop urban design guidelines for new construction that respect the character of the existing landscape and built environment, and that support non-motorized transportation.

Mark Ludtka, AIA
Principal, Callison
As a principal at Callison, a Seattle-based architecture firm, Mark brings extensive knowledge of design, development, and construction, as well as considerable familiarity with entitlement processes. He has led numerous large-scale projects including mixed-use, corporate, residential, high-tech, institutional/educational and retail facilities. Mark is a registered architect and serves on the board of directors for the Washington Chapter of the National Association for Industrial and Office Properties and serves on the WSU College of Architecture Advisory Board.

Ben Bakkenta
Principal Planner – Growth Management, Puget Sound Regional Council
Ben specializes in long-range land use and transportation planning, regional growth management policy, and performance monitoring and policy assessment. He acted in a lead role in developing Destination 2030, the central Puget Sound Region’s metropolitan transportation plan, and more recently has been a lead in developing VISION 2040, the region’s long range growth management, environmental, economic, and transportation strategy. Ben served on the City of Seattle’s Design Review Board for the Southeast District from 2001 – 2006, acting as Chair from 2004. He currently serves on the Steering and Ad Hoc Executive Committees for Sustainable Seattle’s B-Sustainable project.

Dave Russell
Professor Emeritus, University of Washington
Dave joined the UW faculty in 1967, serving as a professor of aeronautics and astronautics from 1974 to 2000, and chairing the Department for 15 years. He is a former planning-commission chair, council member, and mayor (1992-96) for the City of Kirkland. Dave served as president of the Puget Sound Regional Council, was on the board of Sound Transit, and was named “Public Official of the Year” by the Municipal League of King County in 1996. He is a past president and current board member of Futurewise, and has served the Cascade Land Conservancy in a number of capacities.

Jim Mueller
Managing Partner, JC Mueller LLC
As managing partner of JC Mueller LLC, Jim brings more than 30 years of real estate development expertise. Prior to founding JC Mueller LLC, Jim spent four years as the Senior Director of Development for Seattle-based Vulcan, Inc., and was responsible for the concept, planning and development of Seattle’s South Lake Union area. Working closely with city planners and neighborhood groups, Jim helped to create a plan to redevelop approximately 30 city blocks, creating life sciences research, office, residential, retail and mixed-use projects. Prior to his work with Vulcan, Jim was Senior Vice President & Chief Executive Officer, Asia, for Koll Development Company where he was responsible for large-scale master planning, industrial, retail and warehousing projects in several Asian markets. Prior to his experience in Asia, he was Senior Vice President for Koll Real Estate Group in Seattle, Wash. from 1985 to 1997. Jim is a licensed architect and a member of the Downtown Seattle Association, Urban Land Institute, and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties.

Robert W. Thorpe, AICP
Principal, R. W. Thorpe & Associates
With over 40 years of experience in the planning field, Robert has a long history of leading successful urban and regional planning projects and environmental studies. His career has involved the development of many unique and innovative planning programs, including a number of implementation tools such as SEPA guidelines, shoreline management programs, design commission guidelines, zoning codes, and regulations for master planned communities. Robert has extensive experience with citizen involvement and has been retained by a number of public agencies and private citizen groups as a consulting urban planner. Additionally, Robert is a past president of the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Pete Stone
As a real estate investment professional with over 20 years of experience, Pete has a broad variety of experience across the United States with a background in acquisitions, joint ventures and asset management. Most recently, Pete was with ING Clarion Partners, a large institutional real estate advisory firm, where Pete was responsible for opportunistic transactions in the western US, and structured joint ventures with many leading developers and operators. While with ING, Pete was involved in over $2 billion in closed transactions for a variety of product types, including office, industrial, retail, and multifamily. Prior to joining ING, Pete worked in New York as an asset manager for Sumitomo Life overseeing office and hotel investments after beginning his career with Arthur Andersen. Pete has an MBA in Finance from NYU and a BS in Hotel Administration from Cornell University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Craig Krueger
Principal, Community Land Planning
Craig has been part of the private development industry for over 35 years, with experience as part of builder/developer companies and as a land planner/development consultant. Initially, he was part of the management team at McStain Neighborhoods in Colorado, where he ultimately became Director of Design and Marketing. He then joined the national architectural firms of Downing Thorpe James (DTJ) in Colorado and Richardson Nagy Martin (RNM) in California as a land planner/project manager. Since relocating to the Northwest in 1989, Craig joined Northward Homes, The McNaughton Group, and Core Design as Director of Planning, focusing his planning efforts on innovative land plans including Issaquah Highlands for Port Blakely Communities. Craig is currently consulting and providing community land planning services in the region. He is a Community Trustee for the Cascade Land Conservancy and on the Board of Directors for the Master Builders Association Care Foundation.

Enterprise Community Partners
Our mission is to see that all low-income people in the United States have the opportunity for decent, affordable housing and to move up and out of poverty into the mainstream of American life.
Enterprise is a national leader in investment capital and development services for affordable housing and community revitalization. For over 25 years, Enterprise has raised and invested over $9 billion to help finance more than 240,000 affordable homes in communities across the nation. Our work provides housing and opportunities for individuals and families with the greatest needs.

A growing body of literature recognizes that the concentration of growth in urban centers and transit-oriented developments (TOD) can limit negative effects associated with decentralized growth and improve the overall quality of life in our region.

A new report was recently released, entitled “From Barriers to Solutions and Best Practices: Urban Centers and TOD in Washington” distills the benefits and challenges of implementing compact, transit-oriented development in the central Puget Sound region.

The report is the second study commissioned by the Quality Growth Alliance from the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies in the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments. The first report compiled national and international TOD and town center resources in an annotated bibliography.

These reports address a wide range of issues from design, to lack of leadership, and to community resistance. The need to fund infrastructure, build strong interagency collaboration, and address a variety of legal and regulatory barriers is emphasized.

Together this body of work represents a significant resource for public and private stakeholders who are tackling the challenges of creating high-quality urban development. To read more, download the PDF here.

The Quality Growth Alliance’s Climate Change group presented on January 28th to the Washington State Local Government and Housing legislative committee.

Quality Growth Alliance chair, Pat Callahan of Urban Renaissance Group, introduced the eight partner organizations and outlined the goals of this collaborative effort. Stephen Antupit and Rob Matthews of Mithun presented climate change data from the Urban Land Institute’s Growing Cooler publication and the Puget Sound Reality Check 2008 event. Presenters highlighted one of the key findings of Growing Cooler and Reality Check: concentrating growth in urban centers connected by a reliable transportation network can lead to significant greenhouse gas reductions. Legislators participated in twenty minutes of questions and answers.

Washington State set goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the year 2050. Transportation is a critical component, contributing nearly half of our state’s greenhouse gas emissions. This session, lawmakers are charged with implementing strategies to achieve the state’s 2050 goal.

(The following video is part 2 of 2. The first part is above.)

Imagine you are a regional or community leader and could see the effects land use choices have before making tough policy decisions? Through an innovative application, Decision Commons helps leaders visualize better choices and better places.

You might be surprised by their responses. To read more, download the PDF here.