The announcement of the 2006 Fannie Mae Foundation Maxwell Award of Excellence winners, awarded to 4 redevelopment projects, were announced at a conference call (which was also a web cast) held in November 2006.

The call and the web cast were moderated by Jennifer Leonard, the Director of the National Vacant Properties Campaign. Below is a summary of the call.
 
Harold Washington Unity Cooperative in Chicago, IL

This project was developed by the Bickerdike Development Corporation, and was completed in March of 2005. It was presented in the call by Joy Aruguete, the Executive Director of the Bickerdike Corporation. The complex consists of 87 units of affordable units in 18 newly constructed buildings that occupy what were once vacant lots in West Humboldt Park. These units will be converted to a co-op after 15 years. The project cost was $17,624,178.00, and was completed ahead of schedule and under budget with the assistance of the Humboldt Construction Company (a subsidiary of the Bickerdike Corp.) The link below will take you to photos and a synopsis of the project details.
 
Harold Washington Unity Cooperative
 
Acushnet Commons in New Bedford, MA

This project was developed by the Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development, Inc. and was presented on the call by Loni Willey, the Director of Finance and Operations with the Women's Institute. This project combined 12 units of family-sized affordable housing with a Community Center for family support programs and other community services. The project was completed in conjunction with the NorthStar Learning Centers, and the building, a historic but vacant school, was donated by the Highland Street Foundation. It was a 4 million dollar project that was completed and opened in October of 2005. Since the ribbon cutting ceremony, the city has noticed a reduction in crime and drug related activity, along with new condominium complexes being built in nearby neighborhoods. The link below will take you to additional information about the Institute and this project.
 
Women's Institute for Housing & Economic Development

Tierra del Sol in Los Angeles, CA

This project was developed by New Economics for Women and was presented on the call by Maggie Cervantez. This was a $57 million project which now occupies what once was a 5 acre vacant lot that was owned by the local Department of Water & Power. The final outcome is 119 units of low income housing (1 to 5 family units in 4 distinct but connected buildings), an elementary school, and a 15,000 sf Community Center, which is still under construction. There were 13 separate financial backers, including US Bank and WAMU. The site is located in the Canoga Park community of the San Fernando Valley, 267 miles north of Los Angeles. Photos and additional details are available by clicking on the link below.

New Economics for Women

Reviviendo Family Housing in Lawrence, MA

This project was developed by Lawrence CommunityWorks, Inc. and was presented on the call by Kristen Harol, the Deputy Director of the program. The site is comprised of 17 affordable apartment units occupy what were 3 vacant historic buildings, and an additional structure was built on a nearby vacant lot, all within what is known as the North Common Neighborhood. Thirty percent of this neighborhood was abandoned buildings, which has been reduced to 8% since the inception of the project.

Kristen relayed that this project was especially challenging due to the fact that it involved the historic buildings. Photos and additional details regarding this project are available by clicking on the link below.

Reviviendo Family Housing