The Department of Transportation’s TIGER Program has announced $25 million in funding to build Detroit M-1 Rail’s 3.3-mile light rail that will run along Woodward Ave. The line will have eleven stations extending from the city’s Downtown to the New Center District.
On Friday, January 11th, officials from three federal agencies visited Indianapolis, IN for a first-hand perspective at how federal funding and provisions have benefited local environmental and redevelopment projects.
During the visit Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard was enthusiastic about several innovative development projects being done in the city, including brownfield remediation efforts and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The Cultural Trail is a multi-use path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities and the Indianapolis ‘bike hub’ to help make bicycle commuting easier and more viable. The award-winning 8-mile path encircles downtown Indianapolis, passing through the city’s visitor and business district, its arts and cultural hubs, and several neighborhoods.
The Concord, New Hampshire City Council recently voted to accept a set of plans for their downtown area that could be used to redevelop and revitalize their city. Part of that plan involved $4.71 million in federal TIGER grant funds for the revitalization of their main street, which will include shared bicycle lanes in both directions.
On November 27, InVision Tampa, a 2010 recipient of a Community Challenge grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) revealed for the public its master plan to revitalize Tampa’s downtown core. Emphasizing business and residential connections, the plan hopes to turn downtown Tampa into an accessible and thriving mixed-use area, anchored by the riverfront and transit amenities.
The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), a Massachusetts recipient of a Regional Planning grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), has completed the first phase of its “Sustainable Berkshires” plan. On Tuesday, December 11th, the BRPC presented to the public the plan for economic development, conservation, and historic preservation. Next spring, the next phase of the plan will address housing and neighborhoods, regional energy, transportation and infrastructure.
Tuesday, December 11, 2:00-4:00pm ET. EPA Webcast for Tribes: Learning from Peers – Tribal Approaches to Reduce GHG Emissions and Address the Changing Climate. Register here.
Wednesday, December 12, 3:00-4:30pm ET. The Innovative DOT. Register here.
Tuesday, December 11, 2:00-3:15pm ET. EPA’s Priorities for Petroleum Brownfields. Register here.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC) has already helped hundreds of towns and cities across the country become economically stronger, environmentally sustainable, and more inclusive through its workshops, technical resources and grant programs. As a new report explains, these programs are also making the most of federal investments.
OSHC’s 2011 accomplishments update explains that the Office’s 152 grants in 48 states, totaling $240 million, generated almost $253 million in private investments and commitments from local partners. The Sustainable Communities grants, one of the major grant programs administered by the Office, generated $115 million in matching and in-kind contributions – more than 120% of the original $95.8 million invested.
The Office’s accomplishments report is a compendium of some of the most interesting smart growth projects in the works today.
Nine of New Hampshire’s planning commissions coordinated together to apply for a Regional Planning grant from the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They won a $3.37 million grant to coordinate their planning efforts for the state’s future, forming Granite State Future.
One of the first truly state-wide planning efforts, Granite State represents the desire for people across the state to work together to solve regional issues and ensure economic vitality and a better quality of life for all. Part of the effort involves a robust online community engagement effort.
“The foundation of this plan is what people want in their communities,” says project manager Jeff Belanger, “We want all views represented.”
The next step for the project is to put together their online data and proceed to public meetings to present ideas before communities across the state. They hope to be finished before the grant ends in 2015.
On November 9, Governor of Rhode Island Lincoln D. Chaffee announced a multi-agency effort to develop an integrated and statewide approach to economic development. Funded by a Regional Planning grant from the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development, the project will assess the state’s economic assets and situation to plan for future development.
“I agree with all Rhode Islanders that we need to take steps to improve the economic climate of the state. In 90 days we will have data analysis that we will use to inform decisions to use our assets wisely, prioritize our ideas and focus our resources in specific areas where we can make a real difference,” said Governor Chafee.
Last month, the Cincinnati City Planning Commission approved Plan Cincinnati, a comprehensive, community-based approach to future development. Part of this plan was funded by a multi-million dollar HUD Community Challenge grant intended to help the city to streamline its land use codes, facilitating future development.
The Plan is an opportunity to strengthen what people love about the city, what works and what needs more attention, says Katherine Keough-Jurs, senior city planner and project manager.