PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
November 1, 2023
Kara Raftery (Zupke) | Communications and Special Projects Manager
City of Leavenworth
p. 509.548.5275 ext. 136 | [email protected]
CITY OF LEAVENWORTH RECEIVES 2023 GOVERNOR’S SMART COMMUNITIES AWARD
LEAVENWORTH, WA, November 1, 2023 – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced the winners of the 2023 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Held since 2006, the award recognizes local governments whose planning efforts have meaningfully improved their communities in areas such as economic development, housing, parks and recreation, transportation, and land use planning and development.
The City of Leavenworth received the Judges Merit Award for recognized success in more than one judged category. This is a legacy award and recognizes the vision, planning, and project implementation it took to create the Washington State landmark and top tourist destination Leavenworth is today.
Leavenworth’s Bavarian Village began as a community partnership in the early 1960s known as Project LIFE. At its core, Project LIFE was a community-led planning process which established the foundation for several land use planning documents, including the 1968 Leavenworth Comprehensive Landscape Plan which solidified the City’s Bavarian theme and design.
“Today our Bavarian Village is a wonder and joy to residents and millions of annual visitors. As we continue to tackle our community needs and plan for the future, we honor the past work of so many visionaries,” said Mayor Carl Florea, “We are thrilled to be recognized by the Governor with this award.”
Learn more about all of the 2023 Smart Communities Award Winners.
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