Traverse City developer Ray Minervini was awarded the 2014 Milliken Distinguished Award for his role in redeveloping the former Traverse City State Hospital grounds into the mixed-use Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Minervini was presented with the award by former Governor William Milliken at the Michigan Land Use Institute's (MLUI's) inaugural Harvest@TheCommons event last weekend.

MLUI created the award to recognize "community leaders who embody the legacy of Governor William Milliken and the late Helen Milliken, and the belief that a clean, healthy environment is necessary for a prosperous economy." MLUI selected Minervini as this year's honoree for his efforts to transform "the old hospital into a dynamic, diverse community where people can live, work, play, shop and dine, surrounded by historic, beautiful architecture and nestled among northern Michigan's natural splendor."

According to MLUI Executive Director Hans Voss, a core goal of MLUI is to "support thriving communities" that feature vibrant, walkable places to live. "Whenever we need a perfect example of those ideas at work, all we have to do is look at what Ray's accomplished," says Voss.

Photo credit: Gary Howe