News & Events

Recent News

September 24, 2008
Central Florida Commuter Rail Receives Urban Land Institute Award

Fifth Annual Champions of Sustainability Luncheon

Orlando, FL – The Urban Land Institute Orlando District Council hosted the Fifth Annual “Champions of Sustainability” awards luncheon on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 to honor those who have made an impact in the Central Florida region in the areas of nature, the economy, our society and individual well being and for the inaugural Land Use Excellence and Promise Awards.

The 2008 Champions of Sustainability are:

Economics - Commuter Rail
Nature - Clay Henderson
Social - myregion.org
Individual Wellbeing - Nap Ford Community School
MSCW Legacy Champion of Sustainability - University of Central Florida
Leader of Promise - John Metsopoulos
Leader of Excellence - Beat Kahli
Project of Promise - Medical City at Lake Nona
Project of Excellence Large Scale - Baldwin Park
Project of Excellence Small Scale - Hannibal Square Community Land Trust

The Champions were based on the following criteria.

Economics: Initiatives and programs designed to benefit citizens of Central Florida through a strong economy and high quality of life with a positive, measurable impact on the economic viability of an area, issue, activity, or group.

Nature: Initiatives and programs whose intent is to protect, conserve or restore nature and natural habitats, mitigate negative impacts, or improve the environmental quality of the Central Florida Region.

Social: Initiatives and programs that successfully link community issues together for the benefit and sustainability of multiple areas, groups, or organizations.

Individual Wellbeing: Initiatives and programs that serve to inspire others to realize their potential in making a Central Florida – and Florida – a better place to live, work and play for future generations.

MSCW recognizes one community organization or individual as a “Legacy Champion.” “Champions” understand that the work done today to preserve, conserve and protect Central Florida’s most precious resources will mean a better tomorrow for citizens throughout the region. Their effort demonstrates major contributions to all four Champions of Sustainability categories.

Leader of Promise: A person who demonstrates a capacity to create thriving communities in the Central Florida region.

Leader of Excellence: A person who has demonstrated a history of initiatives that create and sustain thriving communities in the Central Florida region.

Project of Promise: A project that achieves a high standard of excellence in design and demonstrates relevance to the current and future needs of the community.

Project of Excellence Large Scale: A project that is in stabilized operation and financially viable and clearly demonstrates relevance to the current and future needs of the community.

Project of Excellence Small Scale: A project that is in stabilized operation and financially viable and clearly demonstrates relevance to the current and future needs of the community.

##

The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, ULI has more than 40,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines, including developers, builders, property owners, investors, architects, public officials, planners, brokers, appraisers, attorneys, engineers, financiers and students. The ULI Central Florida District Council has over 600 members.