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October 2, 2007 Lake Oswego Neighborhood Named One of 10 Great Neighborhoods in America A Place Where Residents Put Their Community First LAKE OSWEGO, OREGON — The American Planning Association (APA) announced today that the First Addition Neighborhood in Lake Oswego, Oregon, has been designated as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2007 through APA's Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.
"It is a great honor to be recognized by the American Planning Association as a Great Neighborhood," said Mayor Judie Hammerstad. "We are extremely proud of this historic, traditional area next to our downtown. First Addition has become our most sought-after neighborhood, both for the convenience to shopping and services, to transit and, most of all to building their unique identity as a very special community — for now and as a legacy for those who follow." APA selected the First Addition Neighborhood as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods in America for its dedication to community values and priorities; recognition of neighborhood's past; and commitment to plan and create a high quality of life in the future. One of Lake Oswego's oldest neighborhoods, the First Addition offers the best of what many communities seek — a small-town atmosphere, services and shopping within walking distance, and a commitment to community-held values. APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live. They are enjoyable, safe, and desirable. They are places where people want to be — not only to visit, but to live and work every day. America's truly great neighborhoods are defined by many unique criteria, including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement. Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes the unique and authentic attributes of essential building blocks of great communities — streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces. "We're pleased to select the First Addition Neighborhood and recognize the residents' and area leaders' dedication to community priorities," said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer, FAICP. "By calling attention to what citizens in this Lake Oswego neighborhood have, we hope other neighborhoods from across the country will follow their example." Home to a collection of unpretentious and eclectic homes, the First Addition Neighborhood was originally platted in 1888 to house workers of the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. Compact enough that everything is within easy walking distance, the First Addition Neighborhood includes a grocery store, adult community center, elementary school, and library. The neighborhood also has multiple-family dwellings, a post office, a fire station, three churches, and a mixed-use retail, commercial and service area. Residential blocks and alleys provide rear access to homes for off-street parking, trash removal, and other community services. To ensure the First Addition's worth and charm continues into the future, residents developed a plan that provides customized guidance on land use, building site design, and capital improvements. The City of Lake Oswego adopted the neighborhood plan in 1996. The plan is intended to help retain those aspects of the neighborhood that contribute to its quality of life, housing variety and affordability; small-town atmosphere; walkability of streets and alleys; and access to transit and commercial areas. The plan process included preparation of a specialized neighborhood zoning district that accommodates change through design standards that assure new single family and multiple family development is compatible with the existing character of development in the neighborhood. Thoroughly vernacular in its origins, plan, and housing stock, this APA 2007 Great Neighborhood shows the results of community cooperation, persistence, and values. The nine other APA Great Neighborhoods for 2007 are: Chatham Village Neighborhood, Pittsburgh, PA; Eastern Market Neighborhood, Washington, D.C.; Elmwood Village, Buffalo, New York; Hillcrest, San Diego, California; North Beach, San Francisco, California; Old West Austin, Austin, Texas; Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York; Pike Place Market Neighborhood, Seattle, Washington; and West Urbana, Urbana, Illinois. For more information about these neighborhoods and the list of APA's 10 Great Streets for 2007, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces. This year's 10 Great Streets and 10 Great Neighborhoods will be celebrated as part of APA's National Community Planning Month in October 2007, designed to recognize and celebrate the many residents, leaders, officials, and professionals who contribute to making great communities. For more about National Community Planning Month, visit www.planning.org/ncpm. Contacts |
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