New Jersey Future has officially announced the recipients of its 2026 Smart Growth Awards, recognizing one visionary leader and five groundbreaking development projects that redefine the state’s approach to sustainable planning, transit-oriented development, and community revitalization.
This year’s prestigious Leadership Award will be presented to Gil Medina, the former New Jersey Secretary of Commerce. Over a multi-decade career spanning law, finance, and commercial real estate, Medina has been a central figure in aligning economic and business growth with smart redevelopment. Notably, his work defending and drafting regulatory policies continues to guide New Jersey’s current sustainability efforts.
Alongside Medina, five projects across the Garden State are being celebrated for rewriting the blueprint of their respective communities through land remediation, affordable housing, and transit connectivity:
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Audible’s The Pillars (Newark): A transformation of a prominent downtown building into a vibrant retail and community hub. The project supports local entrepreneurs and activates Newark’s Arts and Education District.
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The Place at Haddonfield (Haddonfield): A development that replaced a former municipal parking lot with a context-sensitive, walkable, 100% affordable housing development, bringing “missing middle” housing to the borough’s historic downtown.
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Sanofi Flagship at M Station West (Morristown): A transit-oriented workplace destination that relocated thousands of employees to downtown Morristown, boosting foot traffic for local businesses and integration with public transit.
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The Crossings at Brick Church Station (East Orange): A major revitalization of an underutilized commercial corridor into a mixed-income transit district featuring essential healthcare services, fresh food access, and public spaces.
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The Kempson (Metuchen): A residential project that successfully remediated a former industrial site, opening up access to 32 acres of open space and recreation while enhancing local walkability.
The winners will be officially honored at the Smart Growth Awards Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Newark Museum of Art.
