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Contact: Jeremy Bloom
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Circulate Planning & Policy Announces 2026 Momentum Award Winners
Annual awards celebrate leaders and projects advancing safer streets, public transit, housing, and sustainable growth across the San Diego region.
San Diego, October 26, 2026 — Circulate Planning & Policy celebrated the winners of its 2026 Momentum Awards on Friday, October 23, at NOVA SD in Downtown San Diego. The annual event brought together more than 300 attendees, including community leaders, elected officials, public agency representatives, and professionals from the transportation, housing, and land use sectors to recognize the people and projects making San Diego a safer and more sustainable region. Circulate was excited to welcome Congressman Scott Peters, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, and city councilmembers from across San Diego County, along with leadership and representatives from regional and statewide housing and transportation agencies.
This year's celebration embraced a new theme, "Club Circulate," transforming the traditional awards ceremony into a lively evening featuring music, a DJ, and a rooftop after-party presented by Waymo.
The 2026 Momentum Awards also marked an exciting new chapter for the organization, which changed its name from Circulate San Diego to Circulate Planning & Policy earlier this year to reflect its growing statewide work on housing and transportation policy.
"Every year, the Momentum Awards remind us just how many people are working to make our communities better," said Colin Parent, CEO and General Counsel of Circulate Planning & Policy. "From innovative housing developments and transportation projects to dedicated public servants and community advocates, this year's winners demonstrate what we can accomplish when we work together."
The event recognized winners across seven community-nominated award categories, selected by an independent jury of regional leaders. Several categories were new or updated for 2026, including the inaugural Planning Award, Housing Innovation Award, and Public Servant Award, reflecting the evolving work of the region's planning, housing, and transportation communities.
In addition, Circulate presented its annual Walk the Walk Awards to three distinguished leaders whose careers have advanced sustainable transportation, housing, and community development.
This year's Walk the Walk honorees were Sharon Cooney, CEO of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System; Hon. Stephen Whitburn, San Diego City Councilmember; and Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Each was recognized for their leadership in advancing policies and investments that improve mobility, safety, and housing opportunities.
Circulate Planning & Policy congratulates all of this year's nominees and winners and thanks the many organizations, sponsors, and community partners who made the celebration possible.
All 2026 Momentum Award winners are listed below. Photos from the event are attached.
2026 Momentum Award Winners
Public Transit Award
Winner: Mid-City GO! — City Heights Community Development Corporation and North Park Main Street
Mid-City GO! is a free, on-demand, all-electric rideshare service connecting residents of City Heights and North Park to jobs, schools, grocery stores, medical appointments, and public transit. Launched in 2025, the program helps overcome transportation barriers created by decades of freeway construction that divided surrounding neighborhoods. By June 2026, Mid-City GO! had provided more than 10,000 rides. Led by City Heights Community Development Corporation in partnership with North Park Main Street and Via, the program demonstrates how community-driven transportation solutions can expand mobility choices and reconnect neighborhoods.
Safe Streets Award
Winner: Comprehensive Speed Management Plan — City of San Diego, LLG Engineers & Planners, Kittelson & Associates, Evari GIS Consulting
The City of San Diego's Comprehensive Speed Management Plan provides a data-driven approach to reducing dangerous vehicle speeds and preventing traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Developed in partnership with LLG Engineers & Planners, Kittelson & Associates, and Evari GIS Consulting, the plan analyzed more than 3,000 miles of city streets and identified nearly 680 miles eligible for speed limit reductions. By prioritizing locations where lower speeds can have the greatest safety impact, the plan establishes a roadmap for safer streets and offers a potential model for communities across California.
Planning Award
Winner: SDSU on the Move, Transforming Transportation for a Growing Campus (TDM Plan) — San Diego State University, Feer & Peers
SDSU on the Move is a comprehensive transportation plan that reimagines how San Diego State University can accommodate campus growth while reducing reliance on automobiles. Developed by SDSU in partnership with Fehr & Peers, the plan prioritizes improved transit access, safer walking and biking connections, bike share, and more affordable transportation options for students, faculty, and staff. By reducing the need for costly parking infrastructure, the university can redirect resources and valuable land toward housing, education, and other campus priorities. The plan demonstrates how transportation planning can support institutional growth while creating a more connected and sustainable campus.
Transit-Oriented Development Award
Winner #1: SkyLINE — Affirmed Housing, San Diego MTS
SkyLINE demonstrates how public transit agencies and housing developers can work together to transform underutilized land into affordable housing and vibrant communities. Located adjacent to the Rancho Bernardo Transit Station, the development transformed a former park-and-ride property into a mixed-use community with 100 homes, including 99 income-restricted apartments, and approximately 14,000 square feet of commercial space. Developed by Affirmed Housing in partnership with San Diego MTS, SkyLINE provides residents with convenient access to regional transit, jobs, education, and essential services while demonstrating the potential of transit-oriented affordable housing on publicly owned land.
Winner #2: Ridge Walk North Living and Learning Neighborhood — UC San Diego
UC San Diego's Ridge Walk North Living and Learning Neighborhood transforms eight acres of low-density housing and surface parking into a walkable, mixed-use campus community. The project provides 2,400 student beds and nearly one million square feet of development, integrating student housing with academic and community spaces. With 500 bicycle parking spaces, an extension of the Hopkins Cycletrack, and connections to campus shuttles and the UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley, the project makes it easier for students to live, study, and travel without a car. Ridge Walk North demonstrates how universities can accommodate growth while prioritizing sustainable transportation and creating more connected communities.
Housing Innovation Award
Winner: Black Oak Hall and Kwíila Dining Project — Cal State San Marcos Corporation, CSUSM Facilities Development & Management, Office of Facility Services and Office of Planning, Design and Construction, Division of Student Affairs
The Black Oak Hall and Kwíila Dining Project demonstrates how creative financing and thoughtful land use can expand access to affordable student housing. Cal State San Marcos transformed a former surface parking lot into a new residential and dining community featuring 555 student beds, including 391 affordable beds, and a dining facility serving more than 320 students. The project leveraged $91 million from California's Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program alongside California State University financing to deliver much-needed housing directly on campus. By reducing housing and transportation costs, the development supports student success and creates new opportunities for students to participate fully in campus life.
Advocate Award
Winner #1: E. Chloé Lauer – San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
E. Chloé Lauer, Executive Director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, is recognized for her leadership in advancing bicycle safety, expanding community engagement, and inspiring a new generation of advocates. Under her leadership, the Coalition has strengthened partnerships, expanded its reach across San Diego County, and brought CicloSDias events to Mid-City and San Ysidro. She also helped mobilize more than 4,000 letters advocating for the preservation of San Diego's Multimodal Team and has been a strong partner to Families for Safe Streets. Through coalition-building, community organizing, and mentorship, Chloé has helped empower more San Diegans to advocate for safer, more bike-friendly communities.
Winner #2: Juliana Kapovich – Families for Safe Streets San Diego
Juliana Kapovich is recognized for her courageous advocacy for safer streets following the tragic death of her six-year-old son, Hudson O'Loughlin, who was killed by a driver while riding his bicycle with his family in Pacific Beach. As a member of Families for Safe Streets San Diego, Juliana has worked alongside her husband, Matt, to share Hudson's story and advocate for policies that prevent future tragedies. She has spoken at City Council meetings, participated in community rallies, and helped advocate for the restoration of funding for the City's Multimodal Team. Her advocacy reminds policymakers and community members that behind every traffic safety statistic is a person, a family, and a community. Through her determination, Juliana is helping build a future where every child can walk, bike, and play safely.
Public Servant Award
Winner #1: Nicholas "Nick" Buenviaje – California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Nicholas "Nick" Buenviaje, Government and Community Affairs Manager for Caltrans District 11, is recognized for his leadership in transforming transportation infrastructure into opportunities for community connection and neighborhood improvement. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Nick has helped convert underutilized highway property into public green space, including 3.5 acres along Interstate 5 in Barrio Logan. His work has also supported a 13-mural cultural corridor in Southeast San Diego, improved pedestrian connections across freeway corridors, and brought together more than 58 agencies and community organizations. Through creative partnerships and community-focused infrastructure improvements, Nick demonstrates how public servants can help reconnect neighborhoods historically divided by highways.
Winner #2: Jordan Latchford – Office of San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn
Jordan Latchford, Director of Policy for San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, is recognized for her leadership in advancing street safety and Vision Zero priorities. Jordan played an instrumental role in moving forward the City's Comprehensive Speed Management Plan, which will enable speed limit reductions on hundreds of miles of San Diego streets. She also worked with community advocates and fellow Council offices to protect funding for the City's Multimodal Team, preserving critical engineering capacity for street safety improvements. Beyond her policy work, Jordan regularly participates in community events, memorials, and public meetings, demonstrating a deep commitment to the families and neighborhoods affected by traffic violence.
2026 Walk the Walk Awards
Sharon Cooney, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
Sharon Cooney, Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), is recognized for her leadership in strengthening public transportation and connecting communities throughout San Diego County. Throughout her career, Sharon has worked to improve transit service, enhance the rider experience, and build partnerships that make public transportation a more accessible and attractive choice. Her commitment to collaboration and public service has helped advance a transportation system that connects San Diegans to jobs, schools, healthcare, and opportunity.
Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, City of San Diego
San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn is recognized for his leadership in advancing safer streets, active transportation, and sustainable mobility. As Chair of the City's Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Whitburn has championed important Vision Zero priorities, including the Comprehensive Speed Management Plan, which creates opportunities to reduce speed limits on hundreds of miles of city streets. He also played an important role in protecting funding for the City's Multimodal Team, ensuring that critical street safety projects can continue moving forward. Throughout his service on the City Council, Whitburn has been a consistent advocate for transportation investments and policies that prioritize safety and improve neighborhood livability.
Gustavo Velasquez, California Department of Housing and Community Development
Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), is recognized for his leadership in addressing California's housing challenges and expanding opportunities for affordable housing development. Under his direction, HCD has strengthened housing accountability, supported affordable housing production, and worked with local governments to plan for and accommodate the homes Californians need. His leadership has helped advance California's housing agenda through stronger partnerships, implementation of state housing laws, and efforts to remove barriers to new housing. Velasquez's commitment to translating housing policy into meaningful results continues to shape the future of housing across California.
About Circulate Planning & Policy
Circulate Planning & Policy, formerly Circulate San Diego, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating excellent mobility choices and vibrant, healthy neighborhoods. Through policy advocacy, community planning, and education, Circulate works to advance public transportation, safe streets, and sustainable growth throughout San Diego and California. Learn more at www.circulatesd.org.
