Jeffery Entin, senior manager of Environ, right, presents the Special Recognition Award
for Public Policy to Deborah Lawlor, chief of sustainability for the NJMC
for Public Policy to Deborah Lawlor, chief of sustainability for the NJMC
LYNDHURST – The New Jersey District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI-NNJ) recently honored the New Jersey Meadowland Commission (NJMC) for its educational initiatives as the zoning and planning agency for a 30.4-square-mile area along the Hackensack River. The NJMC was one of seven winners at ULI-NNJ’s Fourth Annual Leadership in Land Use awards held at the Heldrich Center in New Brunswick, on Dec. 11, 2008.
ULI is a worldwide organization that provides leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities by bringing together leaders to exchange best practices. ULI is comprised of developers, builders, property owners, investors, architects, public officials, planners, real estate brokers, appraisers, attorneys, engineers, financiers, academics, students and librarians.
Approximately 120 attendees, including real estate professionals, leaders from academia and government officials were on hand at the event to acknowledge the winners who embody ULI’s mission of providing leadership in responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities.
“Our award winners reflect the ULI mission and the ULI principles. Their businesses and projects echo the concepts of sustainability, smart growth and the utilization of resources with a smart and consistent approach that are the hallmark of ULI,” Lawrence Jacobs of the law firm Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer, chair of ULI-NNJ said. “Recognition of these projects and principles is important to the real estate and land use planning areas -- now, more than ever.”
Additional award winners included Jerry Fitzgerald English Esq., Educator of the Year; Robert Antonicello, Public Official of the Year; Eleven80 in Newark, Project of the Year; New Jersey Transit – Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Special Recognition for Infrastructure; the First Avenue School in Newark, Special Recognition for Sustainable Development; and Michael Graves, FAIA, for the Lifetime Achievement award.
A committee of 10 ULI-NNJ members chose the seven award winners from a collection of 14 nominations. Winners received specially made plaques, which were prepared by the nonprofit entrepreneurial glassmaking workshop, GlassRoots from Newark.
The NJMC received the Special Recognition Award for Public Policy for its educational initiatives as the zoning and planning agency for a 30.4-square-mile area along the Hackensack River covering parts of 14 municipalities in Bergen and Hudson Counties. The municipalities are Carlstadt, East Rutherford, Little Ferry, Lyndhurst, Moonachie, North Arlington, Ridgefield, Rutherford, South Hackensack and Teterboro in Bergen County, and Jersey City, Kearny, North Bergen and Secaucus in Hudson County.
In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities such as planning and zoning for the New Jersey Meadowlands, the NJMC was recognized for it three-pronged approach to sustainable development through master planning, environmental education and sustainable design practices.
“It is perhaps not often that we can say good things about arms of state government, but when good things happen that create opportunities for improving the environment and the outdoor experiences for our community, we must recognize them,” said Jeffery Entin, senior manager of Environ, who introduced the winner.
The NJMC has been a leader in pursuing sustainable development planning through its promotion of green building, renewable and alternative energy and mass transportation. By promoting responsible development, the commission has been able to preserve more than 4,000 acres of wetlands and open space in the Meadowlands to date. The commission has led by example through its own projects and by offering grants and technical expertise to the 14 municipalities to foster their own sustainable planning.
“We truly appreciate the recognition of our efforts in this direction,” said Deborah Lawlor, chief of sustainability for the NJMC, who accepted the award. “This award recognizes the great strides that the NJMC has made in planning and the environment with regards to all aspects of our mission.”
About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is a non-profit education and research institute that is supported and directed 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, the Institute today has over 34,000 members and associates representing the entire spectrum of the land use and development disciplines. It is comprised of developers, builders, property owners, investors, architects, public officials, planners, real estate brokers, appraisers, attorneys, engineers, financiers, academics, students and librarians.
ULI is a worldwide organization that provides leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities by bringing together leaders to exchange best practices. ULI is comprised of developers, builders, property owners, investors, architects, public officials, planners, real estate brokers, appraisers, attorneys, engineers, financiers, academics, students and librarians.
Approximately 120 attendees, including real estate professionals, leaders from academia and government officials were on hand at the event to acknowledge the winners who embody ULI’s mission of providing leadership in responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities.
“Our award winners reflect the ULI mission and the ULI principles. Their businesses and projects echo the concepts of sustainability, smart growth and the utilization of resources with a smart and consistent approach that are the hallmark of ULI,” Lawrence Jacobs of the law firm Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer, chair of ULI-NNJ said. “Recognition of these projects and principles is important to the real estate and land use planning areas -- now, more than ever.”
Additional award winners included Jerry Fitzgerald English Esq., Educator of the Year; Robert Antonicello, Public Official of the Year; Eleven80 in Newark, Project of the Year; New Jersey Transit – Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Special Recognition for Infrastructure; the First Avenue School in Newark, Special Recognition for Sustainable Development; and Michael Graves, FAIA, for the Lifetime Achievement award.
A committee of 10 ULI-NNJ members chose the seven award winners from a collection of 14 nominations. Winners received specially made plaques, which were prepared by the nonprofit entrepreneurial glassmaking workshop, GlassRoots from Newark.
The NJMC received the Special Recognition Award for Public Policy for its educational initiatives as the zoning and planning agency for a 30.4-square-mile area along the Hackensack River covering parts of 14 municipalities in Bergen and Hudson Counties. The municipalities are Carlstadt, East Rutherford, Little Ferry, Lyndhurst, Moonachie, North Arlington, Ridgefield, Rutherford, South Hackensack and Teterboro in Bergen County, and Jersey City, Kearny, North Bergen and Secaucus in Hudson County.
In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities such as planning and zoning for the New Jersey Meadowlands, the NJMC was recognized for it three-pronged approach to sustainable development through master planning, environmental education and sustainable design practices.
“It is perhaps not often that we can say good things about arms of state government, but when good things happen that create opportunities for improving the environment and the outdoor experiences for our community, we must recognize them,” said Jeffery Entin, senior manager of Environ, who introduced the winner.
The NJMC has been a leader in pursuing sustainable development planning through its promotion of green building, renewable and alternative energy and mass transportation. By promoting responsible development, the commission has been able to preserve more than 4,000 acres of wetlands and open space in the Meadowlands to date. The commission has led by example through its own projects and by offering grants and technical expertise to the 14 municipalities to foster their own sustainable planning.
“We truly appreciate the recognition of our efforts in this direction,” said Deborah Lawlor, chief of sustainability for the NJMC, who accepted the award. “This award recognizes the great strides that the NJMC has made in planning and the environment with regards to all aspects of our mission.”
About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is a non-profit education and research institute that is supported and directed 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, the Institute today has over 34,000 members and associates representing the entire spectrum of the land use and development disciplines. It is comprised of developers, builders, property owners, investors, architects, public officials, planners, real estate brokers, appraisers, attorneys, engineers, financiers, academics, students and librarians.
