I got a hint Thursday night at the HOA meeting that it was going to be announced in Las Vegas on Friday (last) that High Point was one of five projects this year to win the Urban Land Institute’s Global Award for Excellence. Today the news hit the Seattle PI so I figured it was safe to talk about it.

The ULI’s priority, “Sustainable Communities”, is embodied in the new developement of High Point in West Seattle. I am such a believer in this neighborhood effort my husband and I sold our home 12 blocks away and moved here ourselves in August. I admit, new construction is nice. But I moved here because the community is walkable, well lit, beautiful, environmentally sensitive, architecturally interesting, and the people here are friendly. The people who live here also believe in the concept of neighborliness, not strangers like my last neighborhood. We met more new friends in the first week we moved here than in 6 years at our old home south of Puget Ridge.

You can hear more of my “It’s about time…” speech on Monday, November 5th, at 10 AM. Mayor Nickels will be at the View Point (pictured above) accepting this amazing award on behalf of High Point and the Seattle Housing Authority. Lots of VIPs will be there. And I was asked to speak, as a resident of High Point. It might be the first Seattle speech ever accompanied by a 4-legged visual aid – my Italian greyhound, Sophia.

I am so grateful I was able to find a great neighborhood without having the leave my beloved community of West Seattle. If you happen to come to the award ceremony on Monday, be sure to say hi to Sophia and I!

Read the press release here and more about the High Point development on the Urban Land Institute’s web site.