2014 Crown Communities award winners announced.

• Position: News & Numbers - Awards list

American City & County recognized the innovations of its Crown Communities for 2014. Some of the winning projects are outlined below.

The City of Atlanta, Georgia's Atlanta BeltLine partnership began as a grassroots movement to turn Atlanta into a walkable city. When it is finished, the BeltLine will bring public and private forces together. Using land available from four abandoned rail lines that circle the city, the BeltLine will ultimately develop pedestrian-friendly rail transit and 33 miles of multi-use trails.

Through a public-private partnership and the help of local foundations, city officials in Chillicothe, Missouri, found a way to build a badly needed modern replacement for its deteriorating hospital without overburdening the city's financial base or hurting its access to the bond market. This $41 million facility opened on time and on budget, in large part due its financing program. The city created an Industrial Development Authority under state laws so that bonds were not issued as an obligation of the city. It also created a large health system to operate the hospital and cover the cost of the revenue bonds issued to fund the project.

The City of Riverside, California, is implementing aggressive restrictions, innovative incentive programs, and intensive media efforts to meet the challenge of the worst recorded drought in the state's history and assume a leading role in facing the natural disaster. Through aggressive restrictions, innovative incentive programs, and intensive media efforts--including limiting outdoor watering to a maximum four times per week, allowing watering only between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m., and targeting a 15 percent drop in consumption by the utility's customers --the Los Angeles-area suburb of 316,000 residents is assuming a leading role in facing the natural disaster.

The City of Carrollton, Texas, is recognized for undertaking a multi-pronged public works initiative that has made it a model for suburban Dallas communities, receiving top rankings in 2012 and 2013 for its economic development and winning an AreaVibes Best Place to Live in America award. The city approved a bond issue that focused on beautifying pathways; acquiring property for a hotel/convention center and a walkable...