More than 380 people gathered under the stars at the Reid Park Zoo to honor the common ground work done by different entities that has resulted in noteworthy projects.

From 28 finalists, nine projects were honored at the Oct. 16 celebration. Two other projects were selected for awards of distinction.

“It is important to recognize projects like these because much of the talk today is about how governments are unable to work together and that the political environment is corrosive and uncooperative,” said Michael Guymon, executive director of the Metropolitan Pima Alliance, which put on the event. “The 28 projects we showcased tonight demonstrate there is willingness to collaborate and it often leads to better results.”

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The winners in each category were:

• Archaeology and Historic Preserva­tion: Yuma Wash Heritage and Silverbell Road preservation of a Hohokam Indian historial site along North Silverbell Road from Ina Road to Cortaro Road in Marana.

• Architecture, Planning and Develop­ment: Fire Central construction of the City of Tucson’s new Fire Department headquarters, 300 S. Fire Central Place off Cushing Street east of Interstate 10 in Barrio Viejo.

• Economic Development: The Bio5 Institute at the University of Arizona. 

• Events: A town hall held in December 2008 titled “Urban Crafting Tomorrow’s Built Environment — A Community Conversation on Regional Land.” It was put on by Tucson Regional Town Hall and the Urban Land Institute.

• Green Project: Civano North Ridge residential development by Pepper Viner Homes. It is located off South Houghton Road, south of Irvington Road. 

• Programs and Studies: Tucson Values Teachers, a collaborative program of the University of Arizona College of Education and local businesses to retain, recruit and reward K-12 teachers.

• Public Policy: The Town of Marana’s strategic plan.

• Public Works: The $20.4 million widening of Thornydale Road from Orange Grove Road to the Canyon del Oro Wash in Marana.

• Revitalization: Arroyo Vista Neighbor­hood cleanup project in which the Arizona Association of Community Managers, state Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Tucson, and others stepped in to help cleanup the neighborhood on the southwest side after its homeowners association had disbanded.

The two awards of distinction went to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Interstate 10 widening project from Prince Road to 29th Street and the Tucson Festival of Books, which was held in March at the University of Arizona.

“The event itself was a great success,” Guymon said. “I have heard from many elected officials that the Common Ground award is their favorite award because of what it stands for; collaboration and partnership. Based on comments like that, I can only hope our recognition helps to promote the need to work together.”

Contact reporter at jpangburn@azbiz.com or at (520) 295-4259.