Partners for Livable Communities announces “Celebrating Champions of Livability” national awards program
For Immediate Release: November 2, 2018
WASHINGTON—EYA, LLC and City of Alexandria Archaeology
received the national “Culture Builds Community Award,” presented by Partners
for Livable Communities (Partners), a Washington-based nonprofit.
Partners announces the honor as part of the “Celebrating Champions of Livability” national awards program, which recognizes 23 individuals, four organizations and two communities for their role in shaping a more livable, sustainable and equitable America. Partners will host all honorees and their guests for a luncheon and awards presentation at the National Press Club in Washington on November 12, 2018.
The Culture Builds Community Award honors projects and individuals who foster community engagement using the arts and heritage as building blocks for community value and participation.
The “Celebrating Champions of Livability” awards program recognizes national leaders who have embodied the time-tested elements that Partners has woven together to define livability since its founding in 1977. Those elements of livability include: concern for older individuals; equal opportunity for all; amenities, arts and culture as assets; innovative economic development strategies; and bold municipal leadership.
“We will pay tribute to the women and men who are creating livable communities for all,” said Robert McNulty, president and founder of Partners. “Their extraordinary work has set the standard by which civic leaders and policymakers in both the public and private sectors can initiate and carry out community improvement strategies.”
The City of Alexandria Archaeology and EYA, LLC, developers of innovative urban neighborhoods, have formed a unique partnership to preserve and highlight the historic importance of the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. During its long history, Alexandria boasted one of the busiest seaports in America. It was common at that time to use derelict boats as the fill to expand waterfronts, and build new wharves and piers.
In the course of EYA’s recent excavations for the new development at Robinson Landing, they began unearthing pieces of these forgotten vessels. Working closely with Alexandria Archaeology and under the nearly 30-year old Archaeological Protection Code, EYA and its contractor WSSI Thunderbird Archeology embarked on the most extensive effort to date to investigate, document and preserve artifacts that go back to the founding of this early-American seaport. EYA engaged and funded a team of archaeologists to research the history of the site and applied this information to painstakingly excavate the site over an 18-month period. This effort resulted in the discovery of more than 150 individual features and over 100,000 artifacts. The major discovery of three 18th century ships marked this as one of the most significant archaeological sites in Virginia.
Recognizing immense interest from civilians and academics alike, EYA coordinated a public viewing of the archaeological work in progress. On May 8, 2018, the New York Times featured a major story on the finds. EYA Vice President, Evan Goldman stated, “EYA is committed to this unprecedented effort to protect and preserve the archaeological history of Old Town. We are thrilled by the significance of the finds and their unique ability to preserve the legacy of the City’s history.” EYA plans to gift all of the artifacts, including the three ships, to the City for study and eventual exhibition that will further public understanding and appreciation of Alexandria’s rich history. These ships, coupled with a fourth that was discovered in 2015, now form the corpus of what can become a valuable resource to chronicle the past of Alexandria.
For 40 years, Partners has celebrated the leadership of
people, institutions and partnerships that have discovered unique assets that
communities can build upon to become a more livable place. “Celebrating
Champions of Livability” will be emceed by Peter Harkness, founder and
publisher emeritus of Governing magazine, and the Honorable Glenda E. Hood, who
served as Florida Secretary of State and was the first female mayor of Orlando.
Celebrating Champions of Livability:
Honoring the Leaders and Communities that
Shape a Livable, Sustainable and Equitable America
Hosted
by Partners for Livable Communities
National
Press Club
Washington,
D.C.
Monday,
November 12, noon - 3 p.m.
Honorees
America’s Most Livable Community Award
Bridge Builders Award
Investor in America Award
Leader for a Livable, Equitable and Sustainable America
Entrepreneurial American Leadership Award
John Parr Award
Culture Builds Community Award
Ageless America Award
About Partners for Livable Communities
Since its founding in 1977, Partners for Livable Communities (Partners) has helped communities set a common vision for the future, discover and use new resources for community and economic development and build public/private coalitions to further their goals. Partners promotes livable communities through technical assistance, leadership training, workshops, charrettes, research and publications. Partners is a nonprofit focused on improving the quality of life and economic and social wellbeing of low- and moderate-income individuals and communities.
Partners for Livable Communities
1429 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-887-5990 x 108
www.livable.org
About Robinson Landing
Robinson Landing is a joint venture among EYA-affiliated companies; JBG Fund IX, a private fund managed by JBG SMITH Properties; and Mitsui Fudosan America (MFA). When completed in 2020, the project will include 26 townhomes, 70 condominiums with onsite dining and retail, waterfront promenade and revitalized pier.
About EYA, LLC
EYA, LLC, through its various development affiliates, is a leader in Washington D.C.’s urban and transit-oriented living that promotes Life Within Walking Distance®. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, EYA and its development affiliates have built more than 4,000 residences and 39 walkable urban neighborhoods in the D.C. metro area, including over 1,500 new and future homes in Alexandria, Va. For additional information visit www.eya.com
About Alexandria Archaeology
Alexandria was the first city in the United States to establish an archaeological commission, and among the first to adopt an ordinance requiring the protection of archaeological artifacts during residential and commercial excavation. Today, the City's archaeology program operates the nationally accredited Alexandria Archaeology Museum, staffs a team of archaeologists and educators and a cadre of hundreds of community volunteers, and works with private archaeologists and developers to protect artifacts pursuant to the Alexandria Archaeological Code. Alexandria Archaeology represents over 40 years of archaeological investigation, research, and dissemination; more than 200 recorded archaeological sites and two million artifacts and associated primary records; and volumes of documentary research.
Contacts:
Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, City of Alexandria Archaeology, 703-746-3959, andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov
Robert McNulty, President, Partners for Livable Communities, 202-887-5990 x 108, bmcnulty@livable.org
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