DES MOINES – 1000 Friends of Iowa has announced the winners of the 2024 Best Development Awards during a ceremony. The announcement took place this week at the Capitol in Des Moines. The awards honor projects that recognize connections between building and project development and quality of life. With a mission focused on responsible land use, 1000 Friends of Iowa promotes smart growth planning principles that help achieve socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable communities.

The winning projects of this year’s awards and categories are:

• Innovative Leadership – Local: Rippling Waters (Ottumwa) 
• Innovative Leadership – State: Conservation Acceleration Fund of the Great Outdoors Foundation
• Mixed Use: Star Lofts (Des Moines)
• New Residential: The Row on 1st (Council Bluffs): The infill project rejuvenates a previously industrial area, incorporating renewable energy and promoting transportation alternatives like walking and biking via the multi-modal First Ave trail. The Row on 1st transforms a single-family parcel into three townhomes, promoting higher-density living with direct access to the pedestrian-friendly First Ave and nearby amenities. Positioned in a revitalized corridor, The Row on 1st offers residents easy access to local businesses, schools, and parks, fostering a vibrant, connected community.
  

  Row on 1st New Residential Project in Council Bluffs (photo courtesy 1000 Friends of Iowa)

  
  

• Renewable Energy: Albia Schools Solar + Battery Project (Albia)
• Brownfield Revitalization: Harriet Street Brownfield Solar Field (Des Moines)
• Renovated Commercial – Small: Sequel Architecture Historical Renovation (Des Moines)
• Renovated Commercial – Large: Willards-Hopkins Historic Rehabilitation (Marshalltown)
• Bright Futures: Luther College (Decorah)
• Renovated Residential: Historic Winterset High School Apartments (Wapello)
• Transportation/Complete Streets: Ingersoll Avenue Streetscape (Des Moines)

Kari Carney, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Iowa, said “We congratulate this year’s award winners and commend them on their great projects that highlight best practices in responsible land use and innovation in sustainable practices. Economic Development projects like those honored with this year’s awards create vibrant communities and serve as models for other Iowa communities.”

The Best Development Awards are selected from a pool of applications each year and judged by an independent group of jurors.

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1000 Friends of Iowa, founded in 1998, is a statewide nonprofit organization focused on land use and transportation.. Its mission is to unite Iowans in efforts to protect farmland and natural areas, revitalize neighborhoods, towns and cities, and improve quality of life for future generations. Additional details about 1000 Friends of Iowa’s smart growth priorities can be found at www.1000FriendsofIowa.org.