Connections 2025 Comprehensive Plan Wins State Award

The City of Greensboro's Connections 2025 Comprehensive Plan has been awarded the Outstanding Planning Award in the Comprehensive Planning category by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association (NCAPA). The award honors plans, programs and processes of unusually high merit and was presented to the City at the NCAPA Annual Conference on September 12 in Winston-Salem.

In announcing the award, Gerald Green, APA Awards Committee Co-Chair, noted that this is the first true comprehensive plan for the City of Greensboro and is unique for its community wide goals. He also said, "the Plan distinguishes itself by the City's express commitment to continuing inclusiveness and social equity for all Greensboro residents, thereby giving them a stake in ensuring the vitality of the Plan."

Greensboro's comprehensive plan process began in September of 2000 with the appointment of an 18-member Steering Committee. Wallace, Roberts & Todd, LLC served as lead consultants to the project. Numerous opportunities for public input were provided throughout the process, including an initial public lecture series, interviews, public meetings and a charette to solicit ideas and recommendations. The Greensboro City Council adopted the plan in May 2003.

Greensboro Planning Director Tom Martin states that, "I am pleased that the NCAPA chose to recognize Connections 2025. This honor reflects the hard work and efforts of many of our citizens as well as the staff of the City of Greensboro."

Assistant City Manager Bob Morgan added that, "This is an exciting time for Greensboro as we carry out the plan that will shape the future of our community."

A Staff Resource Team, consisting of approximately 60 city employees, is currently working to implement the various components of the plan, along with the City Manager and Council. Forty-four projects have been identified for completion this year. An annual report will be developed to follow the progress of the plan through the coming years.

For more information, contact Heidi Galanti at 574-3576.