Gilbert's Downtown Heritage District recently won two awards for its 2021 Heritage District Design Guidelines.

The guidelines, intended to preserve community character in Downtown Gilbert, garnered  a Downtown Achievement Pinnacle Award from the International Downtown Association as well as the Arizona Planning Award for Ordiance/Regulation/Legislation/Adopted Policy from the Amerian Planning Association.

“Gilbert’s innovative project received the IDA Pinnacle Award for setting the new standard for improving cities around the world,” David Downey, IDA president and CEO, said in a press release from the town. “The 2021 Heritage District Design Guidelines have made an impact on the people who live, work and play there, and is evidence of the continued commitment to champion livable, vital and thriving urban centers.”

The Heritage District Design Guidelines were created to reflect the community’s needs and wishes while also encouraging planning and development collaboration.