City’s Planning & Development Department Honored with Multiple Awards
Published on October 06, 2021
CHEYENNE – The City of Cheyenne Planning and Development Department has been recognized by the Wyoming Planning Association (Wyopass) and the Western Planner Organization for their work in 2020 and 2021.
At the September 24th Wyopass Fall Conference in Casper, the department brought home five total awards.
Wyopass 2021 Awards:
- Planning Project of the Year award for creation of the Urban Renewal Authority and related studies and plans
- Planner of the Year award to Mark Christensen
- New Professional of the Year award to Connor White
- Planning Commissioner of the Year award to Planning Commission Chair, Philip Griggs
The Western Planner Award:
- 2020 Kenneth G. Waido Award for Planning Team of the Year for notable joint efforts as a planning team
“What an achievement for our staff to be recognized at the state and regional level,” stated Mayor Patrick Collins. “I’m extremely proud of what this group has accomplished to shape the future of Cheyenne. These honors are indicative of the work I see firsthand on a daily basis. We’re in good hands, Cheyenne.”
“I am so happy to have an excellent team that can collectively work together on a daily basis,” said Planning and Development Director, Charles Bloom. “The individual awards are well deserved and speak to the work we’ve accomplished and what lays ahead for our growing Capital City.”
The City’s Planning and Development Department has won the past two Wyopass Planner of the Year awards. In 2020, Seth Lloyd was recognized as the Wyopass Planner of the Year. Bloom was also recipient of the award in 2016.
The City’s Planning and Development Department is responsible for long-range City planning and transportation planning. The development section coordinates the City’s development review process. The department also works in conjunction and oversees the following City boards: Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Board, Planning Commission, and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Board.
Wyopass is a statewide organization that was created in 1971 and is comprised of professional and laymen planners who are involved in planning activities. The Association was formed for the purposes of advocating planning programs, to preserve the quality of life in Wyoming, to facilitate coordination and cooperation between planners, and to provide continuing education opportunities.
The Western Planner Organization was formed in 1970 under the founding principle to raise the general quality of planning in the Mountain-Plains area, through the sharing of ideas, planning news, and practical planning methods. The Western Planner Organization is comprised of 13 western states: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Today planning associations continue to share control of the Western Planner and it remains a strong, vibrant collegial group dedicated to its founding principle.
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