Fenway Community Development Corp. (Fenway CDC) has recognized Samuels & Assoc. for its smart-growth development in the West Fens.

More than 150 stakeholders from public and private sectors and community members joined the Fenway CDC at Landmark Center on Nov. 6 to honor the Samuels team, the Fenwickians’ urban village vision, and support the Fenway CDC’s efforts to improve the neighborhood. Honoring members included Elkus Manfredi Architects, Mugar Enterprises and JP Morgan, among many others.

Samuels & Assoc.’s Steve Samuels, Peter Sougarides, Joel Sklar, Leslie Cohen, Tom Bloch, Larry Green and Roger DaPrato received the Joyce Foster Community Impact Award, which honors someone who helps improve the Fenway and the lives of its residents.

Nearly 20 years ago, the team at Samuels & Assoc. was the first developer to support Fenway’s Urban Village Plan.

Samuels built the team that developed a model not just of erecting buildings but of collaborating with residents, community groups and businesses to create places that enhance the streets and energize the community. His approach has produced the Hingham Shipyard, South Bay Center, The Mecca at Grove Hall and, over the past 15 years, the Fenway. Sougarides regularly attends Fenway community meetings and has overseen the Fenway Triangle Trilogy, 1330 Boylston, and a state-of-the-art medical facility for Fenway Health, a nonprofit health center. He currently leads development of the Van Ness, Landmark and other significant Fenway projects.