by Shane Henson — August 17, 2011—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that through its Greening America’s Capitals (GAC) project, it will help the capital cities of Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, Nebraska and the District of Columbia to create healthy communities through green development. According to EPA officials, GAC will help to stimulate economic development, provide more housing and transportation choices, and reduce infrastructure and energy costs. Through this project, EPA will provide design assistance from private-sector experts to help these capital cities demonstrate sustainable designs that create vibrant neighborhoods with multiple social, economic, environmental, and public health benefits.
Washington, DC will receive assistance to make three intersections at the Anacostia Metro Station safer and more effective for cars, pedestrians, and bicycles.
Montgomery, Alabama will receive assistance to redesign a one-mile segment of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail to improve the streetscape for walking and biking, include natural solutions to manage storm water, known as green infrastructure, and create better connections between neighborhoods for pedestrians in an area crisscrossed by major highway overpasses.
Phoenix, Arizona will receive assistance that focuses on revitalizing Lower Grand Avenue, a key commercial strip that has the potential to become an area of economic growth by reusing historic buildings for a new mix of uses.
Jackson, Mississippi will receive assistance to redesign a downtown segment of Congress Street, which runs past the Mississippi State Capitol and Jackson City Hall.
Lincoln, Nebraska requested assistance to create a green infrastructure pilot project in the South Capitol neighborhood. In this residential area, just two blocks from the state capitol, improved streetscape design could better manage storm water while supporting more walking, biking, and transit options.
Facilities managers working near these and future project areas will likely see benefits from the increased focus on green community development and the improved infrastructure in the participating cities, with cleaner neighborhoods and various services that will reach their facilities.
