SCAG honors Legacy Square with 2023 Sustainability Award

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is honoring Legacy Square in downtown Santa Ana with a prestigious 2023 Sustainability Award.

The transit-oriented, mixed-use development is honored in the category of Housing Innovation, and is one of seven projects across the six-county region that will take home the prestigious Sustainability Awards during ceremonies at SCAG’s Regional Conference and General Assembly May 4 in Palm Desert. The awards recognize excellence and innovation in planning, land use and transportation to improve mobility, livability, prosperity and sustainability.

Legacy Square will replace two underutilized buildings owned by the Santa Ana United Methodist Church with high-quality affordable apartment homes and flexible space, bringing new investment to the downtown area.

Legacy Square will feature 93 apartments, more than 1,750 square feet of ground-level flexible space, and a 3,800-square-foot community center to serve as a neighborhood hub for events and activities. Offsite improvements include almost $10 million in sustainable transportation improvements, urban greening components, and funding for programs to promote the use of local public transportation.

“We are honored to present these awards, which recognize some truly groundbreaking efforts to improve the quality of life across our region. As these projects illustrate, Southern California leads the nation in integrating technology and creative thinking to build healthier, more vibrant communities,” said Jan Harnik, SCAG Regional Council President.

Among the other 2023 Sustainability Award winners:

Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability: County of Ventura Agricultural Worker Housing Ordinance, intended to promote housing for lower-income households that align with the rural and agricultural character, economy and needs of Ventura County.

Carmen Ramirez Award for Equity: City of Rialto and the Inland Empire Utility Agency (IEUA) for a unique partnership whereby Rialto will sell a portion of its recycled water supply to IEUA, which in turn will fund the design, construction and operation of a pipeline, pump station and connection between the wastewater plant and the agency’s own recycled water distribution system.

Plans, Programs and Policies Award: Envision San Jacinto, a multi-faceted long-range planning program designed to improve the quality of life for the citizens of San Jacinto by identifying and capitalizing on the community’s strengths and opportunities while taking proactive steps to address perceived weaknesses and possible threats.

Clean Cities: Alternative Fuels and Fleets: City of San Bernardino Clean Fleet Project, establishing a framework for transitioning the City’s fleet from conventionally powered vehicles to zero- to low-emission vehicles.

Active, Healthy and Safe Award: Lynwood Urban Bike Trail, converting undeveloped Caltrans excess land into a Class 1 Bicycle Trail in the City of Lynwood and creating new multi-benefit public open space.

Green Region Initiative Award: Pacoima Cool Community Project, applying cool pavement on dark and hot asphalt surfaces throughout the city, providing much needed urban cooling.

“We congratulate all our award winners, whose work represents the best of the best when it comes to meeting our sustainability goals and improving quality of life. These projects are models of innovative solutions to challenges that all our communities face, and by lifting them up we hope to see them replicated and built upon across the region,” said Kome Ajise, SCAG Executive Director.