There’s yet another accolade for Forest City’s Stapleton development. The Urban Land Institute (ULI) recently named Stapleton as a finalist for its prestigious Awards for Excellence: The Americas Program.

Since 2001, Stapleton—one of the nation’s largest urban redevelopments—has attracted nearly 6,000 residents, more than 100 stores, services, and businesses, and three public schools, to a walkable urban neighborhood with hundreds of acres of parks and open space.

The Awards for Excellence were founded in 1979 to recognize excellent land-use practice. Award criteria include leadership, contribution to the community, innovation, public/private partnerships, environmental protection and enhancement, and response to social needs.

After a panel of jury members visits Stapleton this month, the full jury convenes at ULI’s Spring Council Meeting in Salt Lake City. Ten winners from the 21 finalists will be announced May 10.

“Stapleton is proving to be one of the most environmentally progressive and livable urban communities,” says Hank Baker, senior vice president of Forest City Stapleton Inc. “Economic success makes it an even stronger model. Ten years ago many doubted this could be done; now one of every 20 new homes sold in the region is at Stapleton.”

Stapleton’s many other awards include:

• “Smart Growth Hall of Fame,” Colorado Public Interest Research Group, 2001
• “Model of Sustainability,” the United Nations World Conference on Sustainable Development, 2002
• Stockholm Partnerships for Sustainable Communities Award, presented by King Gustav of Sweden, 2002 (selected from more than 250 entries in 50 countries)
• James C. Howland Award for Urban Enrichment, National League of Cities, 2003
• Built Green Hall of Fame for Melissa Knott, Stapleton’s Sustainability Director, Denver Metro Homebuilders Association (HBA), 2003
• MetroVision Award, Denver Regional Council of Governments, 2005
• Best in American Living (BALA) for Smart Growth, National Association of Home Builders, 2005

Stapleton also has been featured extensively in the media, including The New York Times, Metropolis magazine, Urban Land, Education Week, Sierra Magazine, the Denver Post, and Smart City Radio.

Founded in 1936 and based in Washington, D.C., the 29,000-member Urban Land Institute is a respected nonprofit think-tank on landuse issues.