Lake Oswego Neighborhood One of 10 Greatest in America‏

APA selected First Addition Neighborhood as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods in America for its dedication to community values and priorities.

Lake Oswego, Oregon is named one of the best in the nation Photo courtesy: pdxhomes.com

(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.) - The American Planning Association (APA) announced today that the First Addition Neighborhood (FAN) has been designated as one of 10 top neighborhoods for 2007 through APA's Great Places in America program. APA's Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.

"We are delighted to have the First Addition Neighborhood selected for this national honor," said Mayor Judie Hammerstad. "FAN is a special place for many reasons. Most important are the residents who are involved and who take the time to help make this a great place to live, work and play. They have created a quality neighborhood for residents today and are creating a legacy for those to come in the future."

APA selected First Addition Neighborhood as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods in America for its dedication to community values and priorities; recognition of the neighborhood's past and a commitment to plan and create a high quality of life in the future. One of the City's oldest neighborhoods, FAN offers the best of what many communities seek—a small town atmosphere, services and shopping within walking distance, and a commitment to community held values.

"We're pleased to select FAN and recognize the residents' and area leaders' dedication to community priorities," said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer, FAICP. "By calling attention to the quality of life here: the walkability, mixed use, housing variety, access to transit, and all of the building blocks that that make FAN a functional and desirable place, we hope other neighborhoods from across the country will follow their example."

Home to a collection of eclectic homes, the First Addition Neighborhood was originally platted in 1888 to house workers of the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. Compact enough that everything is within easy walking distance, FAN has a grocery store, adult community center, elementary school, library and park, multiple and single family dwellings, a fire station, post office, mixed use retail and three churches.

To ensure its worth and charm continue into the future, residents developed and the City enacted a neighborhood plan in 1996, that provides customized guidance on land use, building site design and capital improvements.

Lisa Shaw Ryan, neighborhood chair, resident, and along with her husband, owner of a coffee shop in the neighborhood, said "This is exactly why my family fell in love with this place, why we live and work here and want to stay in this neighborhood. It has good bones, but the people who live and work here are what make it special."

The nine other APA Great Neighborhoods for 2007 are: Catham Village Neighborhood, Pittsburgh, PA; Eastern Market Neighborhood, Washington, D.C.; Elmwood Village, Buffalo, NY; Hillcrest, San Diego, CA; North Beach, San Francisco, CA; Old West Austin, Austin, TX; Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY; Pike Place Market Neighborhood, Seattle, WA; and West Urbana, Urbana, IL.