More than 1,500 community developers, architects, business leaders, neighborhood advocates and elected officials came together Feb. 18, for the 22nd Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards (CNDA), where nine organizations were honored for their achievements in community development and architectural design.
In addition to learning about the most successful community development projects, attendees heard from Julia Stasch, President, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. And, Brandis Friedman of WTTW’s Chicago Tonight moderated a panel discussion about different perspectives in community development.
During the ceremony, CNDA presented six community development awards, three Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Architectural Excellence in Community Design and two awards for personal achievement to individuals. All award submissions were extensively reviewed by teams of judges.
The 2016 CNDA honorees are:
The Chicago Community Trust Outstanding Community Plan Award Winner:
Little Village Quality-of-Life Plan – Enlace Chicago
Recognizes the development and successful implementation of a community plan or strategy within Cook County that improves quality-of-life or addresses a specific need, opportunity or issue through a comprehensive planning and implementation model.
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation for Outstanding Non-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project Award Winner:
The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
Recognizes a community development corporation for a specific real estate project that has contributed significantly to the enhancement of the community.
The Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award Winner:
Oakley Square – The Community Builders
Recognizes a for-profit or non-profit developer for a real estate project that has preserved affordable rental housing at risk because of expired subsidy contracts or physical deterioration.
The Outstanding For-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project Award Winner:
Method Products PBC’s South Side Soapbox
Recognizes a for-profit developer for a specific real estate project that has contributed significantly to the enhancement of a community.
The Woods Fund Chicago Power of Community Award Winner:
Chicago for All Campaign – ONE Northside
Recognizes the value of community organizing, community engagement, and advocacy as important and effective ways to transform neighborhoods or empower communities that have experienced significant social or economic inequities.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Healthy Community Award Winner:
Chicago Youth Health Activism Initiative – Mikva Challenge
Recognizes a successful community-based effort to address the health of a low-to-moderate income neighborhood in the Chicago metropolitan area through creative and collaborative strategies. *Note: This is a new award.
The winners for the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design are:
- 1st Place – Northeastern Illinois University – El Centro – JGMA
- 2nd Place – Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative – Landon Bone Baker
- 3rd Place – Town Hall Apartments – Gensler
Awarded to three different recipients: Recognizes best practices in community design, landscape design and architecture. The Richard H. Driehaus Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design are given to architects who have created outstanding designs in housing, retail or institutional settings that are sustainable, architecturally significant and that match form to function to meet community needs. Projects are located in or predominantly serve low- to-moderate income communities in Cook County. All projects have been completed within the last five years.
Awards were also given to Andrew J. Mooney and Ghian Foreman for their contributions in service and leadership in Chicago. Foreman, executive director of the Greater Southwest Development Corporation (GSDC), was honored as an emerging leader with the PrivateBank Norman Bobins Leadership Award. Mooney, recently completed a five-year tenure as Commissioner of Planning & Development, was recognized for lifetime achievement in community leadership and service with the Richard M. Daley Friend of the Neighborhoods Award. This marks the 20th year that The Richard M. Daley Friend of the Neighborhoods Award has been conferred upon a civic leader, neighborhood activist or public official for their extraordinary contribution to Chicago and to the field of community development.