Regional Excellence Awards
The Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Excellence Awards recognize projects in metro Atlanta that exemplify cutting-edge, livable design that enhances the surrounding community and support the goals and policies of the Atlanta Region’s Plan.
Award Categories
Visionary Planning recognizes a state-of-the-art planning initiative being implemented in a community to achieve lasting progress.
Great Place recognizes an inspiring space that enhances a community’s character and provides options for housing, employment, or recreation.
Livable Center recognizes a targeted project that significantly advances the implementation of a community’s Livable Centers Initiative plan.
Innovative Development recognizes a cutting-edge development that contributes to the region’s advancement and supports the goals and policies of ARC’s regional planning work.
Regional Excellence Awards Honors Innovative Projects, Places, and Plans
This year’s Regional Excellence Award winners show how bold ideas, and visionary thinking can transform a community. The 2026 winners are:
Visionary Planning
Visionary Planning: Henry Helps Mobile Health Unit,
Henry County
Henry Helps Mobile Health Unit is a new, mobile model of care that takes primary and preventive healthcare into neighborhoods where transportation, cost, insurance, or geography can create barriers that keep people from seeking needed medical care. Powered by partnership between Henry County local government, Piedmont Henry Hospital, Hands of Hope Clinic, and community partners working together to close gaps in care.
Innovative Development
F.I.R.S.T. Housing Center,
City of Lawrenceville
This 70-year-old apartment building was redeveloped as a place where men experiencing homelessness can find a home and pathway forward. The City of Lawrenceville and Impact 46 created eight private, apartment style units where residents can receive individualized support. F.I.R.S.T. (For Intensive Response and Supportive Transitions) fills a critical gap in Gwinnett County’s response to homelessness.
Great Place
Azalea Fresh Market,
City of Atlanta
Housed in the historic Olympia building, Azalea Fresh Market is a place where neighbors can shop, workers can grab a meal, and students can find fresh food, all in one welcoming community hub. Azalea Fresh Market is Atlanta’s first municipal grocery store and was created through a public-private partnership between the city of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Savi Provisions, and the Independent Grocers Alliance. It brings fresh, affordable food to people who didn’t have it before while supporting Georgia farmers, local businesses, and a stronger downtown economy.
Livable Center
North Avondale Road / East College Avenue Complete Street Project,
City of Avondale Estates
This corridor, once defined by speed and separation, is now connecting neighborhoods, businesses, and people. An LCI grant helped Avondale Estates imagine a place to drive to, not drive through, by transforming five lanes into a safer three lane, landscaped, multi-use path.
Exceptional Commute Program
Georgia Power Smart Commute,
Georgia Power/Southern Company
ARC presents a new Regional Excellence Award Category – the Exceptional Commute Program. The recipient is the Georgia Power Smart Commute Program. A complimentary shuttle connects Georgia Power and Southern Company headquarters to the MARTA Civic Center Station and provides convenient transportation between downtown campuses. It also expands and improves bike and scooter parking. Smart Commute provides employees with a free monthly transit pass for either MARTA or Xpress commuter buses, helping to ease the commute for many of its 7,000 plus employees.
