Grow Smart RI will recognize Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian with an “Outstanding Smart Growth Leaders” award at the 2015 Smart Growth Awards. Now in its fourth year, the celebration takes place at The Ballroom at the ProvidenceG on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Established in 1998, Grow Smart RI has become the leading advocate for sustainable economic growth, revitalization, and improved quality of place in the state’s urban, suburban, and rural communities.

The award-winning organization’s executive director, Scott Wolf, said, “Each year, passionate, creative, and resourceful Rhode Islanders show us the way to tap our state’s full potential through projects, plans, and policies that play to Rhode Island’s strengths and generate enduring economic benefits—both statewide and in specific neighborhoods.”

 Taking the helm of RIPTA’s board of directors as chairman in 2012, Mayor Avedisian has brought bold leadership and a clear vision for how mass transit can better work for Rhode Islanders and the local economy.    

“We asked ourselves, ‘how can we make it better?’” he said, adding that RIPTA has an incredible impact on Rhode Islanders. “We knew we had to make it all work for the thousands of people we move each day.”

Under Mayor Avedisian’s leadership, RIPTA has implemented a number of improvements aimed at creating stronger communities that offer a range of transportation choices and better access to jobs. 

“Thinking back, I would like to view it as a time of settling conflict and refocusing on what we needed to do in order to meet our mission at RIPTA,” said Avedisian in a statement. He praised RIPTA’s chief executive officer Ray Studley, the entire management team, and all union employees. “A big challenge for us was to calm everything down and restore people’s confidence in their bus system.”

With that renewed public confidence in RIPTA, voters went to the polls in November and approved the first-ever stand-alone transit improvement bond referendum. 

“My service as Warwick’s mayor and RIPTA’s chairman overlap,” said Mayor Avedisian. He has championed the economic value of mass transit in advancing City Centre Warwick – a transit-oriented district that is already attracting significant new investment in hotels, restaurants, offices, and residences.

“City Centre Warwick is where you can do business effectively, especially with international flights now available at TF Green Airport. There’s an improved pride of place when we better understand what works, and people are starting to look at what’s good for the economy and environment.” 

Avedisian is no stranger to the idea of smart growth, serving on the Advisory Board of Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council. “On a national level, smart growth means good stewardship of our natural resources and ensuring that what we’re doing leaves the world better in the future. Locally, smart growth means looking at where are we, where we need to be, and figuring how to make it work,” he said.

“We’re all part of this together. We’re getting there, and we’re going to keep making it work.”

 At the 2015 Smart Growth Awards, Grow Smart RI will also recognize the Pawtucket Foundation with an Outstanding Smart Growth Award and Sheila Deming Brush with a Founders’ Leadership Award.  

Hope & Main ,The Design Exchange, North Cove Residential Neighborhood and Center for Physician Assistant Studies at JWU will be recognized for Outstanding Smart Growth Projects and Scott Millar/RIDEM and City of Providence Zoning Ordinance will be recognized for Outstanding Smart Growth Policies/Plans.

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer, the chief spokesperson for smart growth and vibrant communities in Congress, will deliver a keynote at the event. Congressman Blumenauer has traveled the country for more than a decade observing and promoting smart growth best practices. 

Immediately following the awards ceremony will be a special cocktail reception at The Arcade in Providence. 

Space for the May 21 event, made possible by support from Bank of America and HDR, is limited, and tickets are $60. Register today at www.GrowSmartRI.org.