LAMBDA ALPHA INTERNATIONAL
George Washington Chapter Awards Program
June 28, 2024
Introduction
The George Washington Chapter Lambda Alpha International Awards Program recognizes the accomplishments of members and other individuals who have advanced the field of land economics through their achievements and service to their profession, the Greater Washington community, and the George Washington chapter.
We encourage submission of nominations advancing the cause of land economics in the National Capital Region. The awards categories for this year’s program are:
- Member of the Year
- Outstanding Plan or Program
- Outstanding Project (more than 200,000 SF or 250 or more residential units)
- Outstanding Project (less than 200,000 SF with less than 250 residential units)
Judging of the the submissions will be done by a panel of LAI members who are active in the Baltimore LAI chapter. The awards will be presented at the LAIGW Investiture and Awards event in the Fall.
Nominations Submittal and Deadline
Nominations should be submitted to the Awards Chair. Email: kreilly.laigw@gmail.com
Nominations for the Chapter Awards program are due on Monday, September 9, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.
- CHAPTER MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Chapter Member of the Year Award will be based upon commitment to Lambda Alpha, to the nominee’s profession, and to achievements in land economics and related fields in the private or public sectors, research, or education. Related fields include real estate economics, architecture, civil engineering, geography, landscape architecture, land use planning, urban planning, urban development and redevelopment, public administration, law, environmental design, historic preservation, zoning, real estate consulting, appraisal, and real estate development.
A member who receives the Chapter Member of the Year Award may be submitted to LAI as a nomination for the International Member of the Year Award. This Award is selected from Chapter nominations of Chapter Member of the Year honorees for the current or prior year by the International Awards Committee.
- AWARD FOR A COMPREHENSIVE, AREA, OR GENERAL PLAN OR IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
This Award will be made for a comprehensive, area, or general plan or implementation program that advances the science and art of planning or land economics.
Eligibility
The award is given for group achievement and may be made to a planning agency, planning team or firm, community group, or local authority. Any plan, project, program, tool, process, report, or ordinance entered must have been published, implemented, or completed within three years of the date of submission. Published drafts of plans are not acceptable
Judging Criteria
Originality and innovation. The entry presents a visionary approach or innovative concept to address needs. Explain how the use of the planning or program development process broadened the acceptance of planning principles.
Quality. The entry is state-of-the-art in terms of presentation and methodology. Identify what makes this plan exceptional or stand out compared to other plans.
Engagement. Explain how various stakeholder interests were involved and the extent of that involvement. Describe how the plan obtained public and private support.
Completeness. Describe in detail the completeness and financial viability of the project. A program and/or process (i.e. growth management strategy or publicly guided development program) must be fully implemented and must be a sound investment of private and/or public funds in terms of their success in transforming communities and neighborhoods.
Visionary and able to be emulated. – Illustrate how the project steps out from the norm, taking a concept to a brand-new level that others will want to emulate.
- AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING PROJECTS
Categories:
- More than 200,000 SF or over 250 residential units
- Less than 200,000 SF or less than 250 residential units
This award honors a development that demonstrates sound land economic and good planning principles in the preservation, development, or use of land resources. Projects submitted in this category must have been completed within three years of the date of submission.
Judging Criteria
Design
All projects must exemplify excellence in planning, design, and implementation. Projects will be judged on quality of design, community context, planning concept, environmental sensitivity, and sustainability.
Process
The process involved in completing a project will be evaluated. This includes achievement of community goals, successful community collaboration, public/private partnerships, funding strategies, outreach, and financial viability.
Impact
All projects should demonstrate a positive impact to the overall value of the community. This can include economic, environmental, and recreational benefits, increased mobility, improved safety, job creation, enhanced community image, sense of place, and the social, cultural, and economic health of the community.
Entry Fee
LAIGW Members:
$200 for the first project
$180 for each additional project.
Non-members of LAIGW
$250 for the first project
$220 for each additional project.
Public Agency
No Fee
The funds will be used to pay for administrative expenses, awards, graphics, and photography. Please make checks payable to LAI GW and send them at the time of electronic submittal to Anita Morrison, LAIGW Treasurer, 9318 Worth Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20901.
Format for Nominations
Submissions should include:
- The principal team member’s name, address, phone number, and email address.
- All of the companies/individuals that were involved in the project.
- A 2-3 sentence “overview” paragraph describing the project.
- When the project was completed (ready for occupancy).
- A brief (up to two pages)) description of how the project meets the Judging Criteria.
- High resolution images of plans and/or photographs, preferred over renderings, that clearly demonstrate the project and help in the evaluation of the application.
Submit Items 1-4 on a single sheet.
Please send all nomination materials electronically to the email address below.
Kathy Reilly
Awards Program Chair
Lambda Alpha International George Washington Chapter
2024 LAIGW Awards sponsorship levels and benefits
$2,000 sponsorship level
Five (5) Complimentary Tickets
Acknowledgement from Podium
Company Name and Logo on Video Loop
Company Name and Logo on all Email Blasts, Website, & Social Media
$1,000 sponsorship level
Two (2) Complimentary Tickets
Acknowledgement from Podium
Company Name on Video Loop
Company Name on all Email Blasts, Website, & Social Media
LAIGW Member Wins International Award 2020
Christopher Leinberger is the recipient of the Lambda Alpha International 2020 Distinguished Educator Award. This award is presented to the person who has achieved excellence within the academic world in the field of land economics or one of its constituent disciplines. Chris has had an exemplary tenure as the Charles Bendit Distinguished Scholar & Research Professor; Chair, Center for Real Estate & Urban Analysis at George Washington University. The Award will be presented to Mr. Leinberger at the 2021 Land Economics Weekend in the 2022.
LAI GW Chapter Awards Program 2017
On October 18, 2017, the George Washington Chapter of Lambda Alpha International held at reception at the Sulgrave Club in Washington, DC to celebrate the investiture of new LAI members. The event also marked the reinstitution of a Chapter Awards program with awards given in two categories: Outstanding Plan and Outstanding Project. LAI GW is giving the Outstanding Planning award to the Planning and Zoning Department of the City of Alexandria because it found that the two submissions-North Potomac Yard Small Area Plan and Old Town North Small Area Plan, made by the department were outstanding examples of the urban planning process.
The North Potomac Yard Plan establishes a creative vision for the 70-acre former railyard as a transit-oriented, sustainable community with 7.5 million sq. ft. of mixed-use development.
The new Metrorail station serves as the economic catalyst for the area. The implementation of a grid of streets promotes walkability. The transportation strategy encourages a significant mode shift from autos to more sustainable transportation. It also includes a dedicated high-capacity bus rapid transit corridor (Metroway), local buses, car sharing, and bicycle infrastructure.
The strategies for sustainability which are included for all aspects of development are innovative and cutting edge. And include such goals as carbon neutrality. Diversity was another important objective-diversity in land use, housing opportunities, amenities, and community facilities are included to serve a variety of age groups, interests, and income levels.
The planning effort included a comprehensive community engagement program.
The Old Town North Small Area Plan took a 200-acre waterfront area which included a 20-acre decommissioned coal-fired power plant site and a brownfield site provides for a balanced mix of uses and includes an Arts district and Urban Design Standards and Guidelines to produce a high quality, sustainable built environment. The arts district provides incentive to create affordable arts spaces and promotes the city’s goals of social equity and economic diversity.
A 21-member advisory group guided the planning effort which included charrettes and community meetings, public hearings and online engagement.
The urban design guidelines are being effective. Projects are reviewed by an Urban Design Advisory Committee. Already the arts incentives are resulting in projects that seek to integrate arts uses. This gives Old Town North, a unique identity separate from Old Town.
LAI GW Chapter’s Outstanding Project, is given to The Wharf whose $2.5 billion first phase of includes 3 million sq. ft. of mixed-use development on a 24 acre, mile-long stretch of the District’s Southwest waterfront including more than 14 acres of parks and public spaces.
The Wharf, has transformed and will continue to transform the Southwest waterfront bringing the liveliness of mixed-use development to the area creating a world-class destination. It includes restaurants, shops, residences, hotels, businesses, music venues, places for events and numerous waterside activities. Planners have paid special attention to urban design and place making and sustainability.
The plan includes a new street grid, public parks, four public piers, spaces for events, docks for boaters, and kayak rentals and access to water taxis and jitneys enhancing access to the waterfront from around the region.
The comprehensive community engagement process included more than 730 community meetings during the eight-year entitlement process.
Finally, the District has a project that fully captures the amenity value of the Potomac River by reconnecting people to the waterfront.