Tempe takes home three Valley Forward awards

Tempe, Arizona – The City of Tempe claimed three honors at Valley Forward’s 28th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards for its transportation program and arts center. Held Sept. 6 in Scottsdale, the awards ceremony recognized the sustainability initiatives of 49 public and private projects in 24 categories, from private homes to commercial buildings to public spaces.

The Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) and Tempe in Motion (TIM), the city’s transportation program, won prestigious Crescordia awards. The Tempe Center for the Arts won an Award of Merit in the Site Development and Landscape/Parks category.

In the Buildings and Structures/Public Assembly category, the Tempe Center for the Arts was praised for transforming a former landfill on the south bank of Tempe Town Lake into an architectural showpiece that houses local arts organizations and adds to community quality of life.

The TCA was opened in September 2007, featuring a design that incorporates materials like native river rock. Architekton of Tempe and Barton Myers Associates, Inc., of Los Angeles, collaborated with Tempe to design a beautifully-placed community art center that enhances the landscape while promoting quality of life issues related to sustainability, recreation and culture.

For more information on the Tempe Center for the Arts, visit www.tempe.gov/tca.

In the Livable Communities/Multimodal Transportation and Connectivity category, TIM was recognized for implementing innovative projects that provide alternative modes of transportation to improve air quality and decrease traffic congestion. Since the passage of the city’s 1996 transit sales tax, Tempe has added bus service, implemented five free neighborhood circulator routes, created an alternatively-fueled fleet, constructed light rail, built bikeways, constructed two “green” buildings and implemented neighborhood pedestrian facilities. Tempe is also actively supporting the construction of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings in its community including the East Valley Bus Operations & Maintenance Facility and the Tempe Transportation Center.

For more information on the Tempe in Motion Program, visit www.tempe.gov/tim.

Tempe won an Award of Merit in the Site Development and Landscape/Parks category, for the Tempe Center for the Arts. Design Workshop and the City of Tempe collaborated on the beautifully appointed, 17-acre lakeside art park that is an outstanding contribution to the City of Tempe’s sustainability. The Tempe Center for the Arts, located on the southwest end of Tempe Town Lake, resides in the park and creates a landmark for outdoor enthusiasts to admire while boating, fishing, cycling, skating, strolling or jogging. Images of the arts park are available for media use by calling 480-350-8846.

Valley Forward Awards

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