Envision Utah Governor's Quality Growth Awards have been given to five winners recognized for innovation and enhancing Utah's quality of life. Including this year's award winners, 94 Quality Growth Awards have been given since 2001.
"Utah's future will reflect the collective impact of today's development decisions," said Kevin Fayles, Community Relations Manager of Envision Utah. "With the Quality Growth Award winners as models, the future looks bright. They demonstrate that development can enhance our communities and succeed in the market."
Jessica Norie, Artspace executive director, says that Artspace Commons, was developed both to provide affordable housing and work space to Salt Lake City's creative class and to begin the revitalization of its neighborhood just blocks from the downtown. "We were willing to take risks to make this project happen," Norie explains. "Artspace closed on financing in December 2008 in the midst of the financial crisis. We used innovative financing and had incredible partners that believed in the project and the ability of Artspace to get Artspace Commons built. Now along with the 102 apartments, Artspace Commons is energized by nine nonprofits, many artist studios and an eclectic mix of local small businesses."
Dr. Mary Jane Chase, dean of Westminster College's School of Arts and Science, said, "Westminster College is deeply honored by Envision Utah's recognition of our pro-active leadership in energy efficiency, cleaner air, alternative transportation, and environmental conservation. The Meldrum Science Center, a Platinum LEED certified structure, is the latest in a long history of commitments Westminster has made to the type of community we are collectively building in Utah. In and from this building, every Westminster student will have the chance to learn how our actions and choices impact our environment. It is not only a great accomplishment, but it is an investment in the future of our community."
Steven Sobel, senior project manager for 222 Main and associate director of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP, the lead architectural firm of 222 Main said, "The marketplace says we don't consider it to be a true Class A facility today unless it is LEED. 222 Main is the first building of the new generation of energy design."
2011 Envision Utah Governor's Quality Growth Awards:
Art Space Commons is an affordable mixed-use community with an emphasis on the arts and culture in Salt Lake's Granary District. The development is LEED Gold-certified. It lies just two blocks from a TRAX stop and contains over 50,000 square feet of artist and not-for-profit space, as well as 102 residential units. Artspace Commons is a pioneer project in terms of urban reuse and urban revitalization.
The Westminster College Meldrum Science Center is the first LEED platinum-certified building on a Utah college campus. This facility contains 20 Kilowatt solar panels on the roof, state-of-the-art-ventilation and filtration systems, 14 high performance classrooms, and five dedicated research laboratories. Local architects VCBO designed the center and Big-D Construction built it with locally-sourced materials. Named for the primary donors to the project, Peter and Catherine Meldrum, the Meldrum Science Center truly sets the standard for educational and institutional development.
222 Main is the first LEED-certified high rise in Utah. The building minimizes energy use with high performance glazing, providing rich natural lighting in office and retail spaces, and their electric lighting systems can be dimmed to maximize natural lighting. The building was also constructed with non-toxic or low-volatile organic compounds. Its high-performance floor-to-ceiling glass offers a more transparent feel, allowing outside light to penetrate deeper into the floor plate. 222 Main provides a excellent example of mindful and sustainable development in an urban area with access to infrastructure, public transit, and community services.
The Governor's Water Conservation Team has worked for years to "slow the flow." The Team has set a goal of reducing per capita water use by 25 percent by the year 2050, which will be essential for the projected population growth in Utah. Over the past few years, because of the efforts of the Governor's Water Conservation Team and the residents of Utah, the statewide per capita water usage has been reduced by nearly 13 percent. This reduction has resulted in water savings of almost 100,000 acre feet. The Governor's Water Conservation Team includes the Division of Water Resources, Washington County Water Conservancy District, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, and the Metro Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy.
The Logan City General Plan weaves together quality growth principles into an actual working document that guides and drives the decisions being made in Logan every day. For example, the plan recommends that a large share of future growth occur within already urbanized areas, reducing the pressure on existing farmlands and maximizing infrastructure costs. In addition, the plan focuses on compact transit-oriented and mixed-use development patterns that will reduce auto traffic and environmental impact in the region. The Logan City General Plan proactively thinks about the city's future and growth patterns.
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