American Planners Recognize 30 Great Neighborhoods, Streets and Public Spaces for 2009

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Planning Association (APA) today announced the country's 10 Great Neighborhoods, 10 Great Streets, and 10 Great Public Spaces for 2009 through the organization's Great Places in America national program.

“But the widespread geography is only the beginning of the story. No matter what the state, each 2009 Great Place is distinctive in its own right, which is why we’ve singled them out for this special honor”

Launched in 2007, Great Places in America is APA's flagship program celebrating places of exemplary character, quality, and planning. Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, noteworthy social, cultural or historical character, community involvement, resilience, and a vision for the future. To date 80 places have been designated in 41 states.

"We have an outstanding set of designations this year spread across the country from New England to the Midwest, from the South to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska,” said APA Chief Executive Officer W. Paul Farmer, FAICP. “But the widespread geography is only the beginning of the story. No matter what the state, each 2009 Great Place is distinctive in its own right, which is why we’ve singled them out for this special honor,” he added.

"Through Great Places,” Farmer continued, “we can show America the results of good planning and plan implementation being done locally. Great Places also shows the country the value and benefits that accrue when communities take charge of their future and shape change through planning instead of allowing change to take its own course,” he said.

APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live. They are enjoyable, safe, and desirable. They are places where people want to be — not only to visit, but to live and work every day. America's truly great streets, neighborhoods and public spaces are defined by many unique criteria, including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement. Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes the unique and authentic attributes of essential building blocks of great communities — streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces.

The 2009 designees are not ranked, but listed here alphabetically by state. Additional details about each designee are available at www.planning.org/greatplaces.

2009 Great Neighborhoods in America

Bungalow Heaven, Pasadena, CA

Faubourg Marigny, New Orleans, LA

The Haymarket, Lincoln, NE

Village of Kenmore, Kenmore, NY

Downtown Fargo, Fargo, ND

Ladd’s Addition, Portland, OR

Franklin Historic District, Franklin, TN

Montrose, Houston, TX

Historic Hilton Village, Newport News, VA

Browne’s Addition, Spokane, WA

2009 Great Streets in America

Broadway Street, Skagway, AK

President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR

Front Street, Bath, ME

South Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI

Front Street, Traverse City, MI

Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ

Main Street, Greenville, SC

Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA

North Main Street, Wheeling, WV

East Newberry Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI

2009 Great Public Spaces in America

New Haven Green, New Haven, CT

The Green, Dover, DE

The Squares of Savannah, Savannah, GA

Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL

East Park, City of Charlevoix, MI

The Grand Rounds, Minneapolis, MN

Central Square, Keene, NH

Queens Botanical Garden, Flushing, NY

Central Market, Lancaster, PA

Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA

Great Places in America is just one of the ways APA recognizes and celebrates National Community Planning Month each October. The special month is designed to recognize and celebrate the many residents, leaders, officials, and professionals who contribute to making great communities. For more about National Community Planning Month, visit www.planning.org/ncpm.