Sumter Receives Outstanding Planning Award

SUMTER, SC (October 3, 2016) – The City of Sumter’s Abandoned and Dilapidated Housing Demolition Program has been awarded the 2016 Outstanding Planning Project of the year from the South Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association (SCAPA).

 

This award was given for the successful implementation of a plan adopted by the City. A few of the areas highlighted in the award were the City’s expanded codes enforcement division, the effective use of a $3.2 million dollar grant for the program, as well as a revised property maintenance code and the adoption of a new vacant housing registry ordinance.

 

SCAPA, the leading organization and resource for planning activities in South Carolina, announced this award at its annual conference in September. These awards recognize outstanding efforts and achievements that advance the art and science of planning and demonstrate a contribution to the improvement of the quality of life in the Palmetto State.

 

“The goal of this program is to help safeguard the public and to stabilize property values in the City,” stated Sumter City-County Planning Director George McGregor. “Since August of 2014, we have successfully removed 142 blighted structures, and that number will continue to rise.”

 

SCAPA evaluates projects based on their innovation, transferability, community significance, sustainability and cost benefit to name a few criteria. A total of five awards were conveyed by SCAPA this year, one in each of the following categories rural, small urban, multi-jurisdictional, public outreach and engagement and implementation.

 

SCAPA serves as a professional and technical resource to policy makers at all levels of government. They consist of professional planners, elected and appointed officials, building officials, neighborhood group leaders, urban designers, economists, and students. More info on SCAPA can be found at www.scapa.org.

 

For more information on the Sumter City-County Planning Department, visit www.sumtersc.gov/planning.

 

 

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