SC Summer 2012 issue by Partnership for Sustainable Communitites

Sustainable Communities

Vol 2, No 3 • Summer 2012 • www.p4sc.org • $12

Mixing It Up In Cincinnati

Special Election Preview

Support candidates who support sustainable communities. Read P4SC’s exclusive guide to where the candidates stand on key issues, plus our list of members of Congress who want to block any federal effort to control greenhouse gas emissions.

Commited to quality housing Committed to improving communities

Sustainable Communities

Letter from the E ditor

Vol 2, No 3 • Summer 2012 • www.p4sc.org

A nonpartisan election wish

Sustainable Communities Magazine 6i-2

By Andre Shashaty

have promised my friends in Washington, D.C., that I will try to be less partisan in how I edit this magazine. So here goes. As we enter the home stretch in this year’s presidential elections, I am equally disappointed by both candidates. To listen to Mitt Romney and Barack Obama campaign, you’d think this was a high school student council election. I would not be surprised if either candidate accused the other of having cooties. There will be four presidential debates starting Oct. 3, and we might get substantive comments on important issues then. But so far, this campaign is setting a new low for petty negativity, finger-pointing, and avoidance of real issues. The most stunning omission is any discussion of climate change, carbon emissions and environmental policy. Despite a massive amount of direct evidence of climate change and its impact, including terrible fires and drought, Romney and Obama continue to ignore these issues. Obama’s web site has a few tepid paragraphs about his “all of the above” strategy that calls for production of clean energy from wind and solar projects as well as fossil fuels. But there’s not much there, and there’s definitely no sign that he wants to campaign on environmental issues, let alone show leadership there. Romney is trying to backtrack and obscure his reasonably pro-environment record, whether he’s actually changed his views or not. He’s a chameleon, and no one knows where he really stands. One thing is certain, he could never provide the kind of bold leadership we need on these issues even if he does manage to get elected. The lack of candid discussion of important issues has become a normal part of the primary season, when candidates of the party out of office try out different sales pitches on different market groups. But the general election campaign should meet a somewhat higher standard, don’t you think? Especially at a time when the evidence of climate change is accumulating around us faster than the ash from a mid-winter wildfire. I can’t prove that the Colorado wildfires, the widespread heat, and the crop-killing droughts across much of our country are a direct result of human activity. But to dismiss that possibility is not an option. It must be considered, and the causes and implications of these disasters must be discussed. Americans are showing a disturbing propensity to suck up mindless distractions and avoid dealing with long-term threats and opportunities. So those of us who care must speak up as loudly as possible. Before you support either candidate, and no matter where you stand on the issues, ask Romney and Obama to engage in a civil discourse on the issues. And pass on this link to an in-depth report on the climate change issue in the Rolling Stone: Global Warming’s Terrifying New Math, By Bill McKibben. The nation you save may be your own.

Editor and Publisher Andre Shashaty Office & Member Services Director Carol Yee Art Director Kay Marshall Advertising & Conference Sales Manager Wendy Chaney Associate Editor Christopher Roche Board of Directors Rev. Betty Pagett, Community Acceptance Strategist Patrick Sheridan, Senior Vice President for Housing Development, Volunteers of America Leadership Advisory Board Richard Baron, Chairman and CEO, McCormack Baron Salazar Doug Bibby, President, National Multi Housing Council Christine Carr Manager, Community Development Finance Silicone Valley Bank Henry Cisneros, Executive Chairman, CityView; former secretary, U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development F. Barton Harvey, Former chairman and CEO, Enterprise Community Partners William C. Kelly, Jr., President, Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) Kerry Mazzoni, Public policy consultant, former state legislator and former California Secretary of Education Nicolas P. Retsinas, Director, Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University Caleb Roope, President/CEO, The Pacific Companies Mitchell Silver, PP, AICP Director Department of City Planning for Raleigh, N.C.

Sustainable Communities Magazine is published by Partnership for Sustainable Communities (“PSC”) is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in California. It is not affiliated with the United States federal interagency “Partnership for Sustainable Communities,” which is a venture between HUD, DOT and EPA. PSC is not supported by government funding. It depends entirely on membership dues and charitable donations to cover its costs. To make a donation, go to www.p4sc.org and click on the “donate now” button at the top of your screen in the green bar on the left. To join our cause, click on “become a member” also in the green bar.

914 Mission Ave, Suite 4A, San Rafael, CA 94901 415 453 2100 ext 302 www.P4SC.org

A RO U N D THE N ATIO N

4 3

Atlanta

Atlanta transportation tax defeated Tea Party activists are being given credit for helping to defeat a ballot measure to fund a long list of transportation improvement projects for the ten-county greater Atlanta region. A 1% tax to fund transportation was on the ballot in 12 multi-county regions

of Georgia, but the Atlanta region was one of 9 that rejected the tax increase. The vote was not even close in the Atlanta area, with 62% against and 38% for the measure. Only three regions approved a tax hike: • Central Savannah River region • River Valley region • Heart of Georgia region Opponents of the measure did not trust governments to spend the money

wisely and did not believe it would really help reduce the areas traffic jams, according to surveys by several news organizations. The defeat of the 10-year, 1% sales tax leaves a number of important projects in limbo as to finding future funding, including the Beltline project in the city of Atlanta. “It marks failure not only for the tax but for the first attempt ever to unify the 10-county region’s disparate voters behind a plan of action,” according to theAtlanta Journal Constitution. Kasim Reed, Atlanta mayor, promised to keep fighting to win voter approval for taxes to finance transportation improvements. By adding a one-cent sales tax across 10 Atlanta metro area counties over a 10 year period, the proposed referendum would have generated up to $8.5 billion in tax revenues in order to fund a specific list of 157 regional projects and an array of local ones.

Detroit

Transportation Entrepreneur innovates Everyone has heard that Detroit is

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

making a comeback, and a young transportation entrepreneur is playing a key role. Andy Didorosi, a 25-year-old, has single handedly created The Detroit Bus Company, a private transportation solution that is giving the citizens of Detroit more access to their City and turning a profit. When was the last time you heard of a local or regional transportation authority doing either of those things? The Detroit Bus Company runs bio-diesel busses on a continuous loop throughout downtown Detroit on Saturdays and Sundays from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am for a meager $5 fare. With unlimited rides on each day of purchase, Detroit weekend commuters are now getting to and from their final destinations riding a private, market driven solution. On top of creating a private transportation system, Didorosi has implemented the now famous Tom’s Shoes model of BuyOne-Give-One model with his “We Ride” program. As the overall system gains popularity and increases rider ship, every normal ticket that is sold will equate to a free ride to a fellow Detroiter in need

to get to a crucial place such as work, school or the doctor. To learn more about The Detroit Bus Company visit, www.forbes.com and www.thedetroitbus.com.

New York City

Plans move forward for High line The City of New York has acquired the title to the third and final section of the High Line from CSX Transportation, Inc. The transfer of ownership paves the way to begin construction so that the

last stretch can open to the public one day soon. The news marks an important point in the history of the High Line. This elevated railway viaduct, originally built in 1934 to carry freight trains, is now entirely owned by the City of New York and poised to be fully transformed into a one-of-a-kind public space. Much of it has already been converted to recreational use. The High Line’s final stretch wraps around the West Side Rail Yards, an active site used by the Long Island Rail Road, bounded by West 30th and West 34th Streets to the south and north, and 10th and 12th Avenues to the east and west. CSX has donated this section to the City of New York, just as it did for the elevated rail structure south of West 30th Street. The next steps are fundraising to pay for the estimated $90 million cost of constructing the rail yards section of the park, and collaborating with the City of New York and the High Line Design Team of James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Piet Oudolf to complete the designs. The latest design renderings were shared with the community in July. To learn more visit, www.thehighline.org.

New York State

Planning links economics and sustainability Across all of New York, hundreds of citizens and officials are working on regional economic development and sustainability plans. In late June, Governor

Andrew Cuomo announced that all ten Regional Economic Development Councils have been awarded funds through the Cleaner Greener Communities program to implement smart growth plans. The $100 million CGC program was a major environmental initiative announced by the Governor in his 2011 State of the State address. By providing competitive grants, the program will reward communities across the State that develops comprehensive regional smart growth plans. The program will increase green jobs, improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution. The Regional Sustainability Planning program, which is the first phase of the CGC program, provides nearly $10 million in funding awarded through a competitive process. “These regional awards for the Cleaner Greener Communities program are a major step forward in accelerating New York State towards a sustainable and energy efficient future,” said Governor Cuomo. “This year, with the NY Works program, New York made an unprecedented investment in our state’s infrastructure so that we could create jobs and rebuild our essential infrastructure. These plans will result in green jobs, the development of renewable energy and significantly reduced pollution. This will allow us to build communities that are healthier and more prosperous all across New York.” The plans for each region, which will align with the strategic plan of their Regional Economic Development Council, will outline the region’s vision, goals and objectives for a sustainable future. In addition, the plans will identify activities or projects that will have the greatest impact on reducing air pollution particularly ways to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency and renewable energy development within the regions. Up to $90 million will be available in the second phase of the CGC program for the implementation of plans.

Seattle

Stimulating Job Growth Through Land-Use Legislation The Seattle City Council recently passed land-use legislation to spur job growth. The newly minted ordinance reduces parking requirements by 50% for new developments within a quarter-mile of frequent transit service. It also raises the threshold for environmental review from 30 to 200 residential units and eliminates a requirement for ground-floor retail space outside of busy shopping districts. This measure was passed with the intention of creating jobs and increasing flexibility for developers which in turn will bring some liquidity to the market and increase revenues for the City. Of all the regulatory adjustments,

perhaps the most impressive and contentious point was that of raising the threshold for environmental review. This is an impressive local feat but something that many other jurisdictions could never see as a political possibility. The cost savings to developers with this action alone would be enough to incentivize new investment in the market. Coupled with the loosening of the other regulations offers quite an attractive situation. The relaxation of requirements for developers to provide parking is part of the city’s ongoing effort to encourage and reflect the reduced reliance on cars in many parts of town. Obviously, it also reduces construction costs. To learn more visit, www.seattletimes.com. ❧

summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

G U E S T C OMME N TA R Y

Advice for planners & developers on Making sense of contradictory trends By Gary Lawrence

n perusing the headlines pertaining to urban development, I find that the range of viewpoints is almost as polarized as our politics. A spate of contradictory headlines was spawned by new estimates released by the US Census Bureau in June. The findings are indeed bewildering. According to the demographic information, most of America’s largest cities are growing much faster than their surrounding suburbs. This is the result of what sociologists are terming “generation rent,” the 18-to-29 year olds who make up roughly 1 in 6 Americans. This generation is very different from its predecessors. Burdened with college debt and faced with a dearth of decent jobs, today’s young people are postponing careers, marriage, children, homeownership and even car ownership. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 26% of them do not even have a drivers’ license. Given their circumstances, the surveys conducted last year by the Urban Land Institute and the National Association of Realtors revealed that nearly twothirds of this age group preferred to live in walkable communities where they can choose from a mix of home types close to nearby amenities and retail and wellserved by public transport. Yet as we read on through the US Census Bureau estimates we learn that of the 100 US counties with the highest growth in new housing, only one county is within an urban area: New Orleans. The State of the Nation’s Housing Report produced by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University found that between 2000 and 2010 only 21% of household growth in the US took place in

the urban cores of the 100 largest metro areas – contrasted with 41% growth in the exurbs. In the face of every global demographic trend we are hearing, the Harvard study predicts that tomorrow will look much like yesterday – Americans loved suburban living before the recession and they will hurry back as soon as it’s over. I am not about to attempt to solve this conundrum. It does however serve to illustrate the one certainty in my life beyond death and taxes – the future is random and chaotic, particularly beyond five years. We cannot predict it or man-

The most reasonable path forward is to acknowledge the first, anticipate the second, and then make the best possible decisions under the circumstances that will allow us the most flexibility and adaptability in the face of the third. Coupled with the three conditions above we also need to think about what we can control (the myth of control is quite the problem), things we can affect, and things that can affect us for which an adaptation strategy would be warranted. I do not envy a housing developer trying to decide what to build. But there is a far bigger and weightier implication. We are at a point in our development where

“Local governments are strapped for cash, the Federal government is running on empty and any infrastructure decisions we make today are ones we will have to live with for the next 100 years.” —Gary Lawrence AECOM Chief Sustainability Officer

age it. We should, however, be thinking very seriously about how to best manage the risk inherent in making the wrong decisions. In my experience, the biggest barrier to making more responsible decisions about the present and future is the number of individuals and groups active in the discussion that are absolutely certain about things for which certainty is irresponsible. There are things we know (facts), things we don’t know (probabilities and possibilities), and things we don’t even know we don’t know (random chaos).

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

we have to make critical decisions about infrastructure investments. Local governments are strapped for cash, the Federal government is running on empty and any infrastructure decisions we make today are ones we will have to live with for the next 100 years. What if we go with the Harvard report’s predictions and extend our freeways out to shiny new exurbs, only to find that our “Generation Rent” loves their downtown living so much that they don’t want to move out? And if we extend roads we have to extend our sewer and water systems, our power infrastructure,

Image Courtesy of Dragages Hong Kong Limited

▲ The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will be developed on a 7.6 hectare site, aiming to sustain Hong Kong’s position as the regional cruise hub. Alongside the cruise terminal will be a range of tourist facilities including hotels, malls and an aviation themed park. AECOM is providing a wide range of design and professional services for the project by the design and build contractor, Dragages Hong Kong Limited.

our telecommunications. Given the scarcity of resources, getting this wrong will be disastrous for our economy. We know the following with some confidence: our population is aging; the younger generation drives less, rents more, doesn’t have much disposable income (or easy access to it for now); our infrastructure is aging; we need more housing (in cities and outside of cities); and our resources (both financial and natural) are limited. We can also anticipate certain things we believe will be true: good rates of return are more likely to come from compact developments where we can leverage every infrastructure investment; compact design reduces carbon footprint on a per capita basis; and compact urban living is more affordable and creates better opportunities for social inclusion and innovation. Clusters around universities (medical schools, research centers, high tech centers) are demonstrated keys to long-term economic well-being where a direct result of investment in education has created high powered metropolitan economies. A statistical analysis

undertaken by The Atlantic Cities and the Martin Prosperity Institute confirms that metro areas with high levels of knowledge workers and greater concentrations of “creatives” and artists have weathered the recession with much lower levels of unemployment than other areas where high unemployment has fed upon itself. I believe that there is something to be learned from every single one of these studies. Conflicting or not, they only become dangerous if we choose to believe one over the other. The truth is most likely that the future of communities in the US will encompass both densification and sprawl. But the successful investments will be those that begin by really listening to the unique needs of their specific communities. There are some great examples of community needs-based design emerging on the US landscape. I recently read about the South Lincoln neighborhood redevelopment outside of Denver, Colorado, which began with a visionary public engagement and analysis exercise undertaken by the Denver Housing Authority to ensure that the new community would

meet the needs of all current and future residents. The result is a mixed-income neighborhood within walking distance of a light rail station and featuring many amenities, services and recreational spaces designed to link economic development and public health with the built environment. There is also the great example of the Portland EcoDistricts. This initiative brings together community stakeholders, property developers, utility companies and City government with the goal of creating sustainable, resilient neighborhoods that promote equity, economic security, mobility and community well-being. The distinguishing characteristic of all these developments it that they have to challenge conventional policy, building codes and zoning. But when people’s needs and desires are put at the center of the decision-making, the answers become very clear. About the Author: Gary Lawrence is Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for AECOM Technology Corporation (NYSE: ACM), an $8-billion global provider of professional technical and management support services. AECOM’s 45,000 employees — including architects, engineers, designers, planners, scientists and management professionals — serve clients in more than 130 countries around the world. AECOM serves a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world’s built, natural, and social environments. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM had revenue of $8.2 billion during the 12 months ended March 31, 2012. For more information on AECOM and its services click here. ❧

SPRING 2012 • Sustainable Communities

FINDING 5 Key features of an "ideal community" include locally owned businesses and the ability to stay in their homes while growing older.

C o m m un i t y p lann i ng

In order to provide a more specific vision for community, researchers asked respondents to think about their "ideal" community and identify features that are important to them. Six features emerged as the highest priority:      

Locally owned businesses nearby Aging in place Sidewalks Energy-efficient homes Transit Neighborhood parks

Poll finds support for community planning, Top priority goes to schools, job creation

QUESTION Now please think about an "ideal community" for you to live in and tell us whether each of the following would be a high, medium, or low priority for you.

upport for community and land Table 4: Factors in an Ideal Community (High Priority) use planning is strong among FACTORS IN AN IDEAL COMMUNITY % HIGH PRIORITY Americans, according to a new Locally owned businesses nearby 55% study by the American Planning AssociaBeing able to stay in the same neighborhood while aging 54% tion (APA). However, support for planAvailability of sidewalks 53% ning is less strong among those living in Energy-efficient homes 52% rural areas and members of the RepubliAvailability of transit 50% can Party. Neighborhood parks 49% The poll found that Americans want Mix of housing price ranges 43% A place that attracts young professionals to live 42% planners to focus most on creating jobs A place with lots of things for kids to do 41% — followed by safety, schools, protecting Mix of housing choices 41% neighborhoods, and water quality. TwoSchools within walking distance 37% AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION | PLANNING thirds of Americans believe their com-IN AMERICA: PERCEPTIONS AND PRIORITIES 2012 Jobs within walking distance 33% munity needs more planning to promote Unique character and/or culture 32% QUESTION economic recovery, the poll found. within walking distance 31% Some people believe their community needs planning,Restaurants while others believe it should be left “Americans strongly Availability of bike lanes 25% alone. Which comes closestbelieve to yourcommubelief? A place with lots of young children 17% nity planning is critical to jump starting Houses being generally the same size 6% ourChart nation’s economy.” said APACommunity? Chief 5: Is Planning Needed in Your Executive Officer Paul Farmer, FAICP, “A future, one neighborhood at a time,” said “Planners are at the forefront of majority also want to be personally inAPA President Mitchell Silver, AICP. building communities that foster ecovolved with community planning efforts, 16 Sixty-seven percent of respondents nomic growth and create jobs. We’re whether they live in a city, suburb, small believe that “engaging citizens through working to add value to communitown, or rural America.” local planning is essential to rebuilding ties around the country, and this poll The poll, which surveyed 1,300 Amerlocal economies, creating jobs, and imconfirms that our expertise is aligned icans, asked: “Which of the following do proving people’s lives.” with the priorities of most Americans,” you want your local planners to spend A broad majority of poll respondents Farmer said. their time on?” The top priorities: — 79 percent — agreed that their commu“Communities that plan for the • Job creation: 70 percent nity could benefit from a plan. The desire future are stronger and more resilient • Safety: 69 percent for increased local planning for economic than those that don’t. The country faces • Schools: 67 percent growth runs across the political specsignificant changes and challenges. Plan• Protecting neighborhoods: 64 pertrum with support among two-thirds ners stand ready to work with local citicent of Republicans and Independents and zens to build this recovery, and a better • Water quality: 62 percent three-quarters of Democrats. Table 3: Is Planning Needed in Your Community? (by sub-segment) Among the poll’s other findings: SEGMENT SUB-SEGMENT % PLANNING IS NEEDED • Compared with five years ago, 84 Democrat 75% percent of Americans believe their Political Affiliation Republican 65% community is getting worse or Independent 67% staying the same. White 66% Race/Ethnicity African American 69% • Asked what makes an ideal commuHispanic 67% nity, half or more of respondents Urban 73% said having locally-owned businessSuburban 65% Type of Community Rural 59% es nearby (55 percent); the ability Small Town 67% to grow old in the same neighbor-

Seventy-seven percent of those surveyed agree with the statement: "Communities that plan for the future

Sustainable Communities • Summer are stronger and more resilient than those that don't."2012

Table 8: View of Planning — Positive or Negative (by sub-segment)

hood (54 percent); availability of SEGMENT SUB-SEGMENT sidewalks (53 percent); energyDemocrat efficient homes (52 percent); and Political Affiliation Republican Independent availability of transit (50 percent). White • The vast majority of Americans — Race/Ethnicity African American 85 percent — do not know enough Hispanic about United Nations Agenda 21 to Urban Suburban have an opinion about it. Nine perType of Community Rural cent said they support the docuSmall Town ment, and 6 percent oppose it. The survey asked what was needed of Democrats who held that position. to bring economic improvement and job Sixty-six percent of all respondents growth – whether market forces alone said planning is necessary. Seventeen could be counted on or if community percent said it is not needed, and 17 planning was also needed. Counting all percent said they did not know. But once respondents, 66 percent said that maragain, urban dwellers were more attuned ket forces as well as community planning to the need than rural residents. Demowere needed. Fourteen percent said marcrats were more likely to see the need ket forces alone would suffice. AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION | PLANNING IN AMERICA: PERCEPTIONS AND PRIORITIES 2012 than Republicans. However, faith in market forces varOne of the most interesting findings ied by political affiliation and location. FINDING 6 was that people have the most faith Twenty-three percent of rural dwellers Top priorities for local planning efforts and local funding priorities are closely aligned in neighborhood leaders and business and 22 percent of Republicans around a basic agenda: jobs, safety,said schools, neighborhoods, and clean water. leaders to help steer a course for their that market forces alone will help the In addition to their ideal vision, the research probed respondents to prioritize the issues they want community. Asked which groups were economy more jobs, with the planners to and spendbring time on. Top priorities include a mix of "basic services": jobs, safety, schools, neighborhoods, and water “best able to understand and impleclear implication thatquality. planning was not ment changes that will make the next needed. That compares to only 13 perQUESTION Which of the following do you want local planners to spend their time than on? the last five, 43 five years better cent of city dwellers and only 6 percent

Table 5: Priorities for Local Planning Efforts HIGH PRIORITIES Job Creation Safety Schools Protecting Neighborhoods Water Quality Roads

70% 69% 67% 64% 62% 58%

MEDIUM PRIORITIES Job Training Renewable Energy Air Quality Revitalizing Neighborhoods

49% 46% 46% 44%

LOW PRIORITIES Disaster Recovery Local Bus Service Sidewalks Storm Water Parks Open Space Local Train Service Climate Change Bikeways Walking Trails Sprawl

37% 36% 31% 30% 28% 25% 21% 20% 19% 18% 16%

% POSITIVE

% NEGATIVE

79% 68% 63% 71% 76% 75% 80% 72% 64% 69%

2% 12% 6% 9% 4% 5% 4% 7% 9% 11%

percent said neighborhood leaders and 43 percent said business professionals. Only 26 percent said elected leaders. Two opposing trends have emerged in the planning field in recent years: 20 significant new support and investment in sustainable community planning grants by the federal government, driven by strong local interest and demand for good planning, and a large counteroffensive with well-funded, highly orchestrated campaigns against planning from small but highly vocal groups, especially centered among new “tea party” activists. Full poll results are available in the report “Planning in America: Perceptions and Priorities.” Research for this poll was conducted in the spring of 2012. Collective Strength, an Austin–based firm specializing in outreach and communications, designed the questionnaire and performed the analytics. Harris Interactive conducted the survey between March 8-12, 2012, among 1,308 U.S. residents aged 18 years or older. The respondents for the APA poll were recruited from a Harris Interactive Online panel, one of the oldest and most credible general public panels in the world. Respondents were selected to match the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau demographic estimates of the American general public in terms of age, income, race, ethnicity, and geography. In addition, low-income, African American, and Hispanic demographic segments were over-sampled to ensure sufficient inclusion in the survey’s overall (raw) and weighted results. ❧

summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

G REE N B U I L DI N G

Cities join green energy retrofit program

he City of Coral Gables has joined South Florida’s Green Corridor PACE District. It is the most recent of seven communities in Miami-Dade County, including the City of Miami, to become part of the district and tap into more than $550 million of private capital for commercial building energy upgrades and wind hardening. PACE refers to “property-assessed clean energy.” Ygrene Energy Fund Florida, a provider of energy retrofit programs for local governments throughout the state, runs the program. The fund, along with its parent company Ygrene Energy Fund, partners with local governments nationwide to streamline financing, administration and implementation of renewable energy, energy efficiency and hurricane protection building improvement projects. Its locally designed financing solution offers property owners private funding for building energy upgrades with no upfront installation cost. The costs of improvements are recovered through property tax assessments. “This decision by the city of Coral Gables completes the most ambitious energy upgrade initiative in the U.S. to date, extending immediate financing to an area with more than 500,000 residents across South Florida,” said Joe Spector, director of operations for Ygrene Energy Fund Florida. “We look forward to creating jobs that can’t be outsourced and driving economic recovery—without a dime of public funding.” Program guidelines ensure that utility savings resulting from property improvements pay for themselves by exceeding the overall costs of the improvements. Performance guarantees made possible by Energi Insurance Services ensure optimal performance after installation, leading to an increase in building value and a

▲ Primera Terra is the newest development at the master-planned Playa Vista community located just north of Los Angeles International Airport. There are 52 individual homes with two and three bedroom floor plans that range from 965 to 1,504 sq. ft. “From its reduced footprint, high-performance HVAC systems, and extremely tight building envelope to tankless water heaters and energy-monitoring equipment in each unit, the Primera Terra condominium community exemplifies the best of efficient multifamily construction,” according to Ecohome Magazine. The project achieved LEEDPlatinum certification, according to the magazine. It also won a “Grand Award” in the magazine’s annual design competition for 2012.

valuable payback on investment. In a related development, the city of Sacramento has taken advantage of a new California law to expand its PACE program (Clean Energy Sacramento) to include all property types and new construction as well as renovation. Sacramento City Council’s vote was the first in the state to adopt Senate Bill 555 and connect owners of new construction and publicly owned buildings, in both residential and commercial properties, to more than $100 million for energy building improvements, according to Ygrene. The action allows residential and commercial property owners to refinance existing improvements, as well as take advantage of more flexible financing

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

terms, which mean lower payments with lower interest rates, Ygrene stated.

Associations form High-Performance Buildings Coalition Associations representing a wide range of interests in the building and buillding products industry have come together to promote the development of sustainable building standards based on consensus and scientific performance data. The newly formed American High—CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Books & Resources

Book Review:

Helping aging Americans stay home Independent for Life: Homes and Neighborhoods for an Aging America University of Texas Press, 2012

Performance Buildings Coalition (AHPBC) (www.betterbuildingstandards.com) was formed in an apparent effort to influence the policies of the federal government and U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). In the press release announcing its formation, the group makes it clear it’s no coincidence that it was formed “as the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is in the process of reviewing the use of green building standards by the federal government and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) revises its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system.” The release states that the AHPBC “supports certification systems based on

Photo: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

f you are concerned about the housing need of the growing segment of our population over 65 years of age, then this is the book for you. It covers everything from demographic trends to the details of how to modify an existing home for owners who wish to “age in place.” The book is one of the few that focuses on the full range of issues related to helping older adults stay in their own homes as they age, as opposed to moving to retirement housing and/or assisted living facilities. It is edited by Henry Cisneros along with Margaret Dyer-Chamberlain and Jane Hickie from the Stanford Center on Longevity. Cisneros was Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Presi-

▲ Henry Cisneros

dent Clinton and currently is executive chairman of CityView, a company that specializes in urban real estate, in-city housing, and metropolitan infrastructure. Cisneros is the author of several books, including Interwoven Destinies: Cities and Nation and Our Communi-

sound data, scientific methodology and developed using a consensus process.” Judging from the list of member organizations, the AHPBC will focus primarily on looking after the interests of building materials suppliers and manufacturers. Quoted first in the release is Stephen Eule, vice president for climate & technology at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy. He said that “The business community is actively engaging to develop and support green building standards through transparent and consensus-based processes. We believe this is the best way to create high-performing buildings

ties, Our Homes: Pathways to Housing and Homeownership in America’s Cities and States. The editors have compiled articles from a large number of experts on aging, architecture, construction, health, finance, and politics. They address the interrelated issues of housing, communities, services, and finances. Independent for Life covers a wide range of smart solutions, including remodeling current housing and building new homes for accessibility and safety, retrofitting existing neighborhoods to connect needed services and amenities, and planning new communities that work well for people of all ages. Case studies show how the proposals can be implemented. The authors offer action plans for working with policy makers at local, state, and national levels to address the larger issues of aging in place, including family financial security, real estate markets, and the limitations of public support. For more information click here. ❧

that are energy efficient and practical to implement. The U.S. Chamber is pleased to be part of this important coalition to advocate for sustainable building using science, performance and consensusbased standards.” The members of the coalition include the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, the American Chemistry Council, the Adhesive and Sealant Council, the American Coatings Association, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, the American Supply Association, the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association, the EPDM Roofing Associa—CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

Leaders in Sustainability The Partnership for Sustainable Communities welcomes the following new organizational members, and applauds them for making American communities more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

attorneys have in-depth expertise in green building law, and land use planning, water law, environmental laws including NEPA and CEQA, government relations and contracts for renewable energy and other sustainable projects. BMI began managing federally assisted housing, expanding over the years, to include conventional housing and commercial developments; however, its specialty continues to be the management of affordable housing. There are more programs than ever for affordable housing to utilize for subsidy, and Barker Management Inc. has stayed abreast of the constant changes. Presently BMI manages properties that include a variety of subsidies from various agencies of programs including United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community, Federal and State Low Income Housing Tax Credits, State Bond Issuers, Federal Home Loan Bank’s Affordable Housing program and other state and local funding sources.

With offices throughout California and in Washington D.C., the law firm of Best Best & Krieger is a leader in sustainability related legal services. Founded 120 years ago, we know California, federal and state laws and the regulators and stakeholders who implement and influence them. Our multi-disciplinary “Green Team”

BB&K embraces the pressing need to enhance community sustainability by assisting public and private sector clients in creating and complying with regulatory standards and incentives.

BRIDGE Housing Corporation, the leading nonprofit developer of affordable housing in California, creates and manages a range of high-quality, affordable homes for working families and seniors. Since it was founded in 1983, BRIDGE has participated in the development of over 14,000 homes serving more than 37,000 Californians. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com.

Burbank Housing is a local non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the supply of housing in Sonoma County, so that low-income people of all ages, backgrounds and special needs will have a better opportunity to live in decent and affordable housing.

Camden Property Trust, an S&P 400 Company, is a real estate company engaged in the ownership, development, acquisition, management and disposition of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns interests in and operates 198 properties containing 67,502 apartment homes across the United States. Upon completion of 8 properties under development, the Company’s portfolio will increase to 69,902 apartment homes in 206 properties. Camden was recently named by FORTUNE® Magazine for the fifth consecutive year as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America, placing 7th on the list.

At the CDI Group of Companies, we strive to develop and manage quality affordable housing communities for families, seniors and students. We work with intention and deliver on everything we promise to do. CDI’s efforts are directed at serving all income groups, including those with limited resources. CDI recognizes that a fulfilling life includes hope for the future. Accordingly, all of our developments include a supportive services program and enrichment activities for residents wanting to improve their lives. CDI has developed nearly $400 million in housing nationwide in over 103 distinct properties in the US and around the world. Visit www.cdinet.us to learn more.

The Partnership for Sustainable Communities is a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization. We depend on members to advance our mission. For more information, go to www.p4sc.org, or call 415-453-2100 x 303

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Organizations that support and work for healthy, successful communities

world.

Churchill Stateside Group (CSG) is a collaboration of the most experienced and respected professionals in affordable housing and renewable energy finance. CSG delivers reliable returns to investors through principled investments in high-quality properties and renewable energy installations and makes deals work for seasoned developers of affordable housing and energy installations nationwide. CSG’s leadership team consists of affordable housing tax credit industry veterans whose collective experience includes direct involvement in the development and syndication of more than $3 billion of federal tax credits over 20 years.

Community Investment Corporation, Chicagoland’s Leading Multifamily Rehab Lender, is a nonprofit providing mortgage financing to buy and rehab apartment buildings with five units or more in the 6-county metropolitan Chicago area. Since 1999 over 9000 landlords and managers have completed CIC property management training to help them better market, manage and maintain affordable rental property. CIC also provides below-market financing for multifamily energy improvements in the Energy Savers program. Since 1984 CIC has loaned over $1.1 million for acquisition and rehab of over 1900 buildings with 46,000 units. In 2012 CIC received the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

Our expertise covers every aspect of production in multifamily and renewable energy finance and investment.

City Real Estate Advisors, Inc., (“CREA”) is a full service LIHTC Syndicator with tax credit equity financing in excess of $1 billion for 180+ transactions since inception. Formed in 2001, by Jeffrey A. Whiting, CREA is committed to the clients we serve; developers, borrowers and investors alike. CREA was founded on the Real Estate First philosophy that behind every exceptional real estate investment is fundamentally sound real estate. Our team pledges to provide innovative real estate investment solutions by applying our five corporate tenets of Trust, Respect, Integrity, Attitude and Commitment to every facet of our business. We have expanded nationally, headquartered in Indianapolis, IN with offices in Boston, MA, Austin, TX and Portland, OR.

Concord Energy Strategies, LLC is America’s Leading Section 179D Provider working with clients across the United States to help them take advantage of the substantial tax benefits allowed under Section 179D. We work with ESCOs, architects, engineers, building owners, CPA firms, and Fortune 500 corporations across the nation, helping them access the benefits available to them through the Section 179D deduction. Our team of multi-disciplinary professionals are the leaders in the industry, and are available to assist you with your needs wherever you are located.

The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is a member-based, advocacy organization promoting walkable, mixed-

use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions. CNU’s initiatives advance bipartisan reforms that deliver marketbased improvements to the economy, the environment and public health. Initiatives work to remove codes, standards, and financial and tax incentives that act as obstacles to the creation of vibrant, healthy, value-driven and better-performing districts. Not a CNU member? Join the movement for better performing cities and towns today at www.cnu.org/join

Credit Capital, LLC (CCL) is a real estate investment firm, located in the coastal city of Santa Monica, California, that specializes in property investments located throughout the United States. We focus on sponsoring affordable housing investments, including transactions that use the Section 42 federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and the federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC). We are also experienced with various state housing, donation, and historic tax credits.

Dominion Due Diligence Group (D3G), is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. D3G, established in 1994 by Robert E. Hazelton, provides full-service environmental and engineering real estate due diligence nationwide. D3G’s third party reporting is used for HUDFHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, conventional lending and property transactions. D3G’s services focus on affordable housing, elderly care facilities and historical rehabilitations. D3G is currently the

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Leaders in Sustainability largest due-diligence consulting firm in the nation specializing in HUD-insured commercial loans for multifamily and elderly care housing. Our services include: Capital Needs Assessments, Environmental Site Assessments, Energy Audits, as well as Architectural Review and Cost Estimations.

urban cores, neighborhoods, universities and fast-growing suburban growth corridors, we bring plans to life with form-based urban codes that both elevate quality of life and harness the market’s ability to deliver profitable, sustainable neighborhoods.

Forest City Enterprises, Inc. is an owner, developer and manager of a diverse portfolio of premier real estate property located throughout the United States. Forest City operates under three strategic business units: • The Commercial Group is Forest City’s largest business unit - with 96 retail, office, arena, hotel and mixed-use properties.

Gubb & Barshay LLP, established by Natalie Gubb and Scott Barshay in 1993, is widely-known as one of the top law firms specializing in the field of affordable housing. Based in San Francisco, California, the firm is recognized nationally for its expertise in the low income housing tax credit program and in other affordable housing finance programs.

• The Residential Group owns and/or manages rental units in urban and suburban apartment communities, adaptive re-use, supported living properties and military housing. • The Land Development Group works with major corporations and individual landowners in developing master-planned communities and land for residential, commercial and industrial use.

Gateway Planning provides town design, implementation and economic development services to both public- and private-sector clients. We work with communities, local governments, state agencies, universities and developers to facilitate growth in mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly patterns. We focus on mixing of housing types, neighborhood retail, pocket parks, community schools, great civic spaces and transportation choice, integrated by streets designed for both cars and people. Through master plans for downtowns, 12

With a portfolio exceeding 27,000 units located in some 275 communities nationwide, Gardena, Calif.-based Highridge Costa companies are among America’s leading developers, asset managers, financiers, owners and operators of affordable workforce and senior apartment communities. The group consists of Highridge Costa Housing Partners, LLC and Highridge Costa Investors, LLC. HCHP/HCI have been leading the way in creating housing that makes a difference in the lives not only of its residents, but also the communities in which they live, since 1994. Our commitment is to deliver attractive, award-winning communities that are indistinguishable from marketrate apartments and which serve larger social needs as well, helping reinvigorate neighborhoods in decline. The company is also dedicated to creating sustainable communities through the use of green building materials, high-efficiency fixtures, and the installation of photovoltaic

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cell arrays at a number of locations.To learn more, visit the company’s website, www.housingpartners.com.

Integratec provides asset management and investor reporting software and outsourced data processing services. Our 45+ clients include affordable housing (LIHTC) investors and syndicators, multifamily lenders, private equity real estate funds, and developers. Dedicated Integratec client service teams work closely with each client to provide day-to-day software and operational support. Our software and services support the asset management of more than 10,000 investment partnerships and 600 fund investments. Integratec has proven – since 2002 – to make our clients’ real estate talent as effective and efficient as possible. Please visit www.integratec.biz for more information.

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a leading resource for key issues concerning the use, regulation, and taxation of land. Providing high-quality education and research, the Institute strives to improve public dialogue and decisions about land policy. As a private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Institute seeks to inform decision making through education, research, policy evaluation, demonstration projects,and the dissemination of information, policy analysis, and data through our publications, Web site, and other media. By bringing together scholars,practitioners, public officials, policy makers, journalists, and involved citizens, the Lincoln Institute integrates theory and practice and provides a non partisan forum for multidisciplinary perspectives on public policy concerning land, both in the U.S.and internationally.

McCormack Baron Salazar is the nation’s leading for-profit developer of economically integrated urban neighborhoods. The company’s communities are known for offering quality, affordable housing and fostering economic opportunities for residents and neighborhoods. Since 1973, McCormack Baron Salazar has been a pioneer in community development and urban revitalization, with over $2.5 billion invested in 149 projects in 36 cities and more than 16,000 units of attractive, high quality housing in urban areas.

It is the mission of MidPen Housing to provide safe, affordable housing of high quality to those in need; to establish stability and opportunity in the lives of residents; and to foster diverse communities that allow people from all ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds to live in dignity, harmony and mutual respect. Since 1970, MidPen has developed and professionally managed over 6,900 homes for low-income families, seniors and those with special needs. With offices in Foster City and Watsonville, MidPen works in 10 Northern California counties.

NAHMA is the leading voice for affordable housing management, advocating on behalf of multifamily property managers and owners whose mission is to provide quality affordable housing. NAHMA’s mission is to support legislative and regulatory policy that promotes the development and preservation of decent and safe affordable housing. NAHMA serves as a vital resource for technical education and information, fosters strategic relations between government and industry, and recognizes those who exemplify the best in affordable hous-

ing. NAHMA is the voice in Washington for some 20 regional, state and local affordable housing management associations (AHMAs) nationwide.

The National Leased Housing Association (NLHA) is a national organization dedicated to the provision and maintenance of affordable rental housing for all Americans. NLHA is a vital and effective advocate for nearly 500 member organizations, including developers, owners, managers, public housing authorities, nonprofit sponsors and syndicators involved in government related rental housing.

The Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH) is the collective voice of those who support, build and finance affordable housing. NPH promotes the proven methods of the non-profit sector and focuses government policy on housing solutions for lower income people who suffer disproportionately from the housing crisis. Founded in 1979, the mission of NPH is to advance affordable housing as the foundation for thriving individuals, families and neighborhoods. Through NPH, the affordable housing field amplifies its voice to promote innovative housing solutions at the local, state, and federal level.

The Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) is a nonprofit financial intermediary based in Columbus, Ohio. Originally created by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency in 1989, OCCH is now an

independent nonprofit organization with its own board of directors. Its mission is “to cause the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing in Ohio.” OCCH’s core activity is raising private capital from corporations for investment in affordable housing developments in Ohio and Kentucky utilizing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program. As a “syndicator” of these tax credit transactions, OCCH performs long-term asset management and related activities for its investors, developers, and property managers. OCCH has raised over $2.25 billion in capital and invested in over 27,500 units.

Founded in 1998, Pacific Urban Residential (‘PUR’) is an industry-leading West Coast apartment investor. Since its inception PUR has acquired over $2.5 billion dollars of multifamily assets. Today, PUR owns and operates nearly 7,000 apartments providing homes for nearly 14,000 residents in four major west coast markets. PUR is headquartered in Northern California in the City of Palo Alto, the diverse, job centric heart of Silicon Valley. Additionally, PUR has investment offices in Seattle, Washington, Los Angeles and Irvine, California. Pacific Urban Residential is dedicated to implementing and maintaining sustainable best practices that lower operating costs, create value, and preserve the environment for future generations.

A healthy community begins at home. REACH’s mission is to provide quality, affordable housing for individuals, families and communities to thrive. Since 1982, REACH has pioneered affordable housing and supportive programs that address complex challenges facing communities. REACH has gained local, state and national acclaim for innovation and responsiveness to difficult urban issues. Our portfolio

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Leaders in Sustainability of over 1,400 units includes new and renovated plexes, apartment buildings and mixed-use developments are across the Portland metropolitan area. REACH also offers a comprehensive Resident Services Program, as well as the Community Builders Program, a free home repair service available to senior and disabled homeowners, as well as families suffering from home environmental health hazards. More info at http://reachcdc.org

Reliance’s mission is to develop sustainable and diverse communities by building high quality affordable housing, revitalizing neighborhoods and responding to community needs. Our business model focuses on opportunities to develop exemplary multifamily housing in areas that suffer from a large disparity between incomes and housing costs. When evaluating our Return on Investment, we consider economic reward with social and environmental benefit.

SARES•REGIS Group of Irvine, Calif., is one of the leading developers and managers of commercial and residential real estate in the western United States. SARES•REGIS Group has a combined portfolio of property and fee-based assets under management valued at more than $4 billion, including 15 million square feet of commercial and industrial space and more than 13,000 rental apartments. Since its inception, the company has acquired or developed approximately 44 million square feet of commercial properties and 20,000 multifamily and residential housing units.

Seven Generations Ahead (SGA) is a 10-year old non-profit organization based 14

in the Chicago metro area whose mission is to promote ecologically sustainable and healthy communities. SGA works with local government, community, and private sector leaders to help communities make the changes they need to create a healthy and sustainable future. Through the facilitation of local community, multi-stakeholder sustainability planning and implementation, regional educational conferences and forums, and zero waste and farm to school programming and operations consulting, SGA is a catalyst for local community solutions to global environmental issues. SGA’s work covers a broad range of sustainability topic areas, including: energy efficiency and renewable energy; transportation; community development; waste reduction; water conservation; green business development; local, sustainable food; open space and ecosystem enhancement; and sustainability education.

Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) is a 501(c)(3) collaboration of twelve social enterprise nonprofits. SAHF’s members provide high quality, affordable rental homes for over 96,000 households in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. SAHF sees affordable rental housing as a platform for families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, and the formerly homeless to improve their lives.

Since 1981, TNDC’s mission has been to provide safe, affordable housing with support services to low-income people in the Tenderloin community and to be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live. With 30 buildings in several San

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Francisco neighborhoods, TNDC provides homes and support services to over 3,000 low-income seniors, families, people with disabilities, emancipated youth and formerly homeless individuals. Support services include 25 on-site social workers, the free TNDC Tenderloin After-School Program, and a Community Organizing program to encourage residents to get involved in making positive change in their neighborhoods. For more information visit www.tndc.org

USA Properties Fund, Inc. (USA), a California corporation, is a privately owned real estate development organization specializing in the creation of outstanding senior and family communities. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Roseville, California, USA provides a full range of capabilities for community development, including financing, development, construction services, rehabilitation and property management. Our values, leadership and team structure reflect our success with the development/ construction and acquisition/rehabilitation of over 11,000 units of family and senior apartments in over 82 communities throughout California and Nevada.

Since 1896, Volunteers of America has believed that a safe and affordable home is the foundation for self-sufficiency. Our nationwide portfolio includes large urban complexes and small rural developments, ranging from emergency shelter and transitional housing to permanent housing for seniors, families and special needs individuals, many who are among our most vulnerable citizens. Visit www.VolunteersofAmerica.org to learn more about our housing initiatives and expertise. ❧

A FFORD A B L E HO U S I N G

Study shows economic benefits of Development of affordable housing

ffordable housing developNew York City’s ment is a key driver of ecoaffordable housing nomic activity, and new data from New York State helps quantify Eighty percent of affordable housthat benefit. ing units developed annually in New Over the seven-year period studYork are in New York City due to the ied, the state’s affordable housing inoverwhelming need for housing that dustry produced an average of 18,490 low, moderate and middle income housing units per year. This resulted New York City residents can afford. in an annual average of 31,800 jobs On average annually, New York during construction, and the creCity’s affordable housing industry ▲ Carlson Commons, Rochester, NY ation of 5,650 permanent jobs to generates: support resident spending and build• 15,526 affordable housing units, ing maintenance, the study found. including new construction, rehab It resulted in $1.8 billion in comand preservation units pensation during construction, and • 26,900 jobs during construc$230 million in compensation annution, and sustains 4,800 permanent ally thereafter. jobs to support resident spending The data comes from a study and building maintenance conducted by HR&A Advisors for • $1.5 billion in compensation The New York State Association for during construction, and $200 Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH). million in compensation annually The study estimated that the thereafter construction of this housing result• $2.3 billion during construced in $2.6 billion in economic spinoff ▲ Aerial of Plymouth Manor development, with tion in economic spinoff activity, activity, including spending on maCommunity Center in the foreground, Rochester,NY. including spending on materials terials and services, while thereafter and services, while thereafter sustaining $650 million in annual An average 100 unit project in sustaining $550 million in annual economic spending on local goods and New York State generates: economic spending on local goods and services, and building maintenance. • 175 jobs during construction, and services, and building maintenance sustains 20 jobs permanently In addition to broad statewide eco• $9.6 million in compensation durnomic impacts, affordable housing has Public & private resources ing construction, sustaining $1.3 a significant impact on the surrounding Annually, affordable housing develmillion in compensation annually neighborhood, oftentimes catalyzing opment throughout New York State le• Generates $29.6 million in ecocommunity revitalization by not only ofverages the following public and private nomic spending during construcfering safe, decent homes that residents resources: tion, including $15.5 million of can afford, but also by creating jobs and • $1.3 billion in total public investpublic and private investment in supporting local spending. ment, nearly 80 percent of which development, and $14.1 million in The study includes two case studies comes from federal sources economic spinoff activity, includof neighborhood impact from afford• $1.5 billion in private investment ing spending on materials and able housing development; one in the Bradhurst section of Harlem, New York • Every dollar in public investment services City and the other in the Plymouth Ex• Sustains $3.6 million in ongoing leverages over a dollar in private change neighborhood of Rochester. ❧ economic activity annually investment summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

Moving Backward & Calling It Progress Short-term transportation bill signed into law, uses funding gimmicks to patch money woes

By Andre Shashaty

nly the United States Congress would have the audacity to give the new federal transportation reauthorization it passed this summer the title of “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” or MAP 21 for short. Unless they meant to be ironic, which I doubt, they should have called it the “Creeping Backward to the Past” law. It’s hard to imagine a bill that better illustrates all that is wrong with our legislative process or says more about why so many Americans feel our best days are behind us as a nation. [forty five percent of likely U.S voters say America’s best days are in the past, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken this summer. Eighteen percent are not sure whether we are headed up or down, and only 37 percent believe our best days are ahead.]

When president Obama signed the transportation reauthorization bill, members of Congress acted like they’d achieved something special by simply passing a stopgap law that solves none of our long-term transportation challenges. Washington is so dysfunctional, they count agreeing on any bill, no matter how bad, an achievement. It’s no wonder Obama is not smiling.

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President Obama is correct. Passage of the law is welcome news because it restores the flow of funds for road and transit work that had been in limbo, putting Americans back to work. What he did not say is that the bill is a stopgap measure that comes after numerous other stopgap measures and that it doesn’t solve any problems or settle any disputes over policy.

All it does is kick the issue down the road until after the election. In years past, it was standard practice to pass six-year transportation reauthorization bills. In recent years, our Congress has been unable to agree on a long-term strategy or funding plan for transportation. The bill only authorizes transportation funding and programs for a little over two years. That means the fight over transportation begins again next winter, as soon as the new Congress convenes. Not surprisingly, the legislation did not include Senate-passed provisions that would have authorized formulation of a long-range, national plan for rail transportation or required federally-funded road projects to take into account the need for “complete streets” that are useable by cyclists and pedestrians as well as motorists. Will common sense return, and will Congress ▲ The old-timers in the U.S. Congress who hammered out the compromise see that short-term extensions are inefficient and transportation reauthorization appear oblivious to the changing transportathat a lack of long-term planning hurts our ecotion habits of Americans, judging from recent data from a survey by Zipcar. nomic development and international competitiveness? I doubt it. failed us miserably at a time when we need leadership badly. I expect that stopgap bills will become the All we can do is hope the next one is a little better. norm, and that long-term budgeting and planning at the federal The only good news may be that local transit agencies level is a thing of the past. Congress will not come to grips with and governments will now be forced to depend less on federal the fundamental need to either raise the gas tax or find new funding and work harder to find local sources of funding or and innovative ways to pay for modernization and maintenance ways to make transit projects self-supporting. of our transportation systems. Here are excerpts of what others are saying about the In 50 years, when historians ask how America started to legislation: falter, I hope they remember the current Congress. It has

Lee Fisher and Shayna Pollock

▲ The Millennial Generation is the most likely to say they are driving less in order to help protect our environment, according to Zipcar’s survey data.

Fisher is president and Pollock is director of communications of CEOs for Cities “The bill does not appropriately align available resources with the needs of constituents. The bill gives the vast majority of funding to highways and roads, modes of transportation that are becoming increasingly antiquated due to demographic shifts. For the first time since the 1920s, urban growth is outpacing suburban growth. Given that urban dwellers are more likely to use public transit and alternative transportation infrastructure, a strong transportation bill should increase dedicated funding to those modes of transit as more people choose to live in cities. Yet, the exact opposite happened. Since the last transportation bill, funding for alternative transportation decreased significantly. Bike/ ped funding suffered a 33 percent decrease, and

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states can choose to reallocate much of that funding to roads, decreasing it by an additional 33 percent.“ Fisher and Pollock point out that Congress ignored important information about how Americans are getting around in drafting this legislation, and did not devote enough funding to transit: “2011 had one of the highest levels of mass transit ridership in decades (10.4 billion trips), between 2001 and 2009 the average annual vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by Americans ages 16 to 34 fell by close to a quarter while transit ridership, biking, and walking increased. In this regard, MAP 21 fails to meet current transportation demands. Under this type of allocation scheme, cities cannot keep up with the same breadth of transportation that is found in many suburban areas. While transit must compete for funding, highway funding is guaranteed, and the government is further incentivizing driving by offering a $240/month tax cut for parking and only a $125/month tax cut for using public transit. These numbers should be, at minimum, re-equalized to reward urban dwellers as well. The United States is not a car-dependent country any more. An ever-growing portion of the population now lives in cities and is choosing to live without private automobiles. To create transportation options for this changing demographic, Congress should allocate funding to support public transit, biking, and walking in the same manner it has been supporting driving for decades. The good news is that it is already time to start thinking about the next surface transportation bill. This time, though, America needs a bill for the 21st century that strongly supports alternative transportation and recognizes that urban density is an increasingly important priority for many Americans, young and old.“ For the full text of the article click here.

▲ Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), center, and Rep. Jim Inhofe (R- Fla.)

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Stephen Lee Davis Deputy Communications Director for Transportation for America “More than 1,000 days after the last transportation bill expired, Congress finally voted to approve a new transportation bill. Unfortunately for those hoping for a bold step into the future, this bill represents a definite step backwards. As you may remember, the Senate had done the hard work of carefully crafting a forward-looking, bipartisan bill that passed with an overwhelming majority. Unfortunately, this final bill moves closer to the House’s disastrous H.R. 7, which was too contentious and unpopular to garner enough votes to pass. This final negotiated bill has been called a compromise, but it’s really a substantial capitulation in the face of threats by the House to include provisions with no relevance to the transportation bill — the Keystone XL pipeline, regulation of coal ash and others. As a result of this compromise, the bill dedicates zero dollars to repairing our roads and bridges, cuts the amount of money that cities and local governments would have received, makes a drastic cut in the money available to prevent the deaths of people walking or biking, and ensures that you have less input and control over major projects that affect you and the quality of your community. Despite record demand for public transportation service, this deal cut the emergency provisions to preserve existing transit service, does little to expand that service, and actually removed the small provision equalizing the tax benefit for transit and parking. There are a few positives, though: • The bill saves the Cardin-Cochran provision to provide grants to local communities to make their streets safer for walking or biking from the chopping block.

• A new grant program will fund community-led planning for neighborhood revitalization around transit lines. • A major increase in federally backed loans could help regions that raise their own transportation funds stretch them farther and build out ambitious transit plans faster. It is clear that this bill represents the last gasp of a 20th century transportation program that has run out of steam. Gas prices are trending ever upward. Demand for public

transportation is booming like never before. Demographic shifts show a more diverse America with fewer young people driving and huge increases in demand for more walkable towns and suburbs. More and more people are clamoring for safer streets and healthier communities. We’ve said this fight has just begun, and indeed it has. The debate will now move to your state where many decisions will be made about how to spend this blank check. And your voice will be needed more than ever to urge your state to make sure that money reflects the priorities of local people — seniors trying to get to the doctor, families struggling to make ends meet and trying to get to their job, kids simply trying to cross the street to get to school. And because this bill is only 27 months long – less time than it took to draft and pass it – the battle for the next one begins the minute this one is signed!” For the full text of the article click here.

Wall Street Journal Highway to Heaven “The bill is crammed with a remarkable array of budget gimmicks voters aren’t supposed to notice.

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summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

For decades, highways have been paid for out of a transportation trust fund financed with the 18.4 cents a gallon federal gasoline tax. Those gas tax funds have been dwindling, so Congress has begun to fund transit and road projects with money from general revenues — in a federal budget that is already $1.2 trillion in arrears. The bill pays for 27 months of highway funding with 10 years worth of revenues and spending cuts. This makes the

funding shortage for highway projects more severe two years from now when the gimmicks expire.”

Kenneth Orski Editor/Publisher at Innobriefs.com “With a road user (mileage) fee garnering little support in Congress (indeed, the House has approved an amendment to

Transit service lags suburban job growth

he suburbanization of jobs reduces the ability of many transit systems to connect workers to jobs, according to a new study by The Brookings Institution. The study looked at data from 371 transit providers in the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas. It found that over three-quarters of all jobs in the 100 largest metropolitan areas are in neighborhoods with transit service. Western metro areas like Los Angeles and Seattle exhibit the highest coverage rates, while rates are lowest in Southern metro areas like Atlanta and Greenville. Regardless of region, city jobs across every metro area and industry category have better access to transit than their suburban counterparts. The typical job is accessible to only about 27 percent of its metropolitan workforce by transit in 90 minutes or less. Labor access varies considerably from a high of 64 percent in metropolitan Salt Lake City to a low of 6 percent in metropolitan Palm Bay, Fla. This reflects differences in both transit service, job concentration, and land use patterns. City jobs are consistently accessible to larger shares of metropolitan labor pools than suburban jobs, reinforcing cities’ geographic advantage relative to transit routing.

Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge in Charlestown’s Paul Revere Park and ends in Cambridge’s North Point Park.

California rail gets down payment The California state legislature has approved spending $7.9 billion in state and federal money for the first 130 miles of track for high-speed rail as well a series of local transit upgrades. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the legislature authorized the issuance of $4.6 billion in state bond funds - about half of the $9.9 billion approved by voters in 2008 - and opened the door for California to obtain $3.3 billion in federal grants, for a total of $7.9 billion. The vote in the state Senate was close, and no Republicans voted for it. The project has been very controversial, and the vote does not end the debate. The total cost for building a high-speed rail line will be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Finding the additional funding will be difficult to say the least.

Biking in Boston

Bus Rapid Transit

Cities and towns across Greater Boston are undertaking several projects to encourage cycling this summer, according to The Boston Globe. In Newton, a city committee proposed 30 new miles of bike lanes; Malden and Everett are converting downtown railroad beds into a multiuse path; and Charlestown and Jamaica Plain residents are lobbying for bike improvements as soon as antiquated highway overpasses are torn down. Meanwhile, at 698 feet, the longest bicycle and pedestrian bridge ever built in Boston is expected to open this summer. The North Bank Bridge, paid for with $10 million in federal stimulus funds, begins under the Leonard P.

Duke University’s Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness (CGGC) released a new report, “U.S. Bus Rapid Transit: 10 high-quality features and the value chain of firms that provide them,” a collection of best practices and metrics for bus rapid transit (BRT) in the United States. Three web tools are attached to the CGGC report, including a detailed BRT station mock-up with the 10 essential features of high-value BRT. In addition to the mock-up, the report has created two – web databases, detailing the transit providers currently running American BRT systems, as well as the complete value chain, from bus manufacturers to transportation planners, for American BRT.

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

the FY 2013 appropriations bill that would block the exploration of a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) fee), and with no other money-raising mechanism anywhere in sight, there is a growing sense among seasoned observers that the days of long-term transportation authorizations may be over. The prevailing fiscal and political climate will make it difficult if not downright impossible to raise hundreds of billions of dollars in a single legislative package. For example, at the levels of expenditure authorized in the new transportation bill, a six-year surface transportation authorization would require approximately $300 billion in funding. Highway Trust Fund revenue and interest over the same time frame is expected to generate only $210 billion, leaving an unfunded shortfall of $90 billion. Faced with this dilemma, Congress is likely to embrace short-term bills as the only practical solution. Short-term authorizations, such as MAP 21, will only require relatively modest injections of general funds and, if recent experience is any guide, Congress will always find ways to offset modest revenue transfers with “creative” accounting gimmicks. To be sure, the transportation community will contend that longer-term (i.e. five- or six-year) authorizations are

necessary to allow for orderly planning and implementation of major capital investments. But to the extent that large highway capital projects still figure on state agendas, tolling, private capital and credit instruments such as TIFIA, can probably provide an adequate substitute for the funding stability offered by long-term federal authorizations. In the newly passed bill, the House can point to two substantive victories: It prevailed upon the Senate to agree to stronger reforms to the project delivery process, including an expanded use of the “categorical exclusion” process. The conference bill provides for setting a 4-year deadline for project approval and for exempting more categories of projects from environmental assessments (EIS). The House was also successful in restricting the Senate’s “Transportation Enhancement” program, a favorite of the biking and walkable streets advocates. The conference bill renamed the program as the “Transportation Alternatives” (TA) program. (Sec. 1122). It eliminated funding eligibility of certain “enhancement” projects (such as transportation museums, public art). And it folded the “Recreational Trails” and “Safe-Routes-toSchool” programs into the overall TA program, thus depriving them of their own dedicated funding.” ❧

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summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

CEOs for Cities takes fresh approach To encourage urban economic growth L

ee Fisher believes that creating sustained economic growth is the single most important issue facing the nation if not the world. That’s why the former lieutenant governor of Ohio took the job of running CEOs for Cities, which is dedicated to that goal. But don’t let the name mislead you. CEOs for Cities (CFC for short) is not some stuffy think tank that gives corporate executives a way to show concern for the urban dwellers of our country. The organization takes a pragmatic approach to improving our cities and involves a very broad range of people. It generates in-depth research but presents it in a very accessible, actionable way. “We focus on connecting urban leaders to each other and with smart ideas for making cities more economically successful,” said Fisher. CFC tries to cut across dividing lines between disciplines, generations and sectors to bring together all kinds of stakeholders in urban development. And for the record, CEOs refers to leaders of all kinds; civic, governmental and business. The pragmatic part is CFC’s focus on making the most of the assets cities have or can develop. While that may have been manufacturing or shipping in previous eras, today the most important assets are knowledge, connectedness and uniqueness, Fisher said. The other very practical concept at the heart of CFC’s approach is to help cities build momentum by showing short-term results. Fisher said that cities that can do three things to improve their economies: • Frame opportunities and challenges in ways people can understand • Act in ways that demonstrate measurable progress • Connect and engage with the smartest people and smartest ideas in the most places and in the most ways CFC understands that the world is full of good ideas for addressing urban problems. But it also knows that grandiose schemes are intimidating and white papers full of statistics can make people’s eyes glaze over. CFC does research on what makes cities successful,

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

but it makes that information available in a very user-friendly way that makes acting on it almost seem easy. In a program it calls City Vitals, it identifies what measures are most important to predicting a city’s success. It benchmarks cities in 4 areas, which have names that spell out the word “city:” • Connectedness • Innovation • Talent • Your distinctive city “Some might call it gimmicky but we call it memorable

2012 SPRING NATIONAL MEETING

May 17-18, 2012 Great American Ball Park Cincinnati, Ohio

THE CITY AS A START-UP

Creating Demand, Attracting Talent, Taking Risks & Going to Scale

▲ CEOs for Cities held its 2012 Spring meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s next meeting is set for Boston for Oct 15 – 17, 2012. For information, go to www.ceosforcities.org

“We focus on connecting urban leaders to each other and with smart ideas for making cities more economically successful.”

—Lee Fisher President of CEOs for Cities

and understandable,” Fisher said. “We have good research and try to make it understandable and actionable. It’s not meant to be comprehensive. It’s a starting point to see how a city or metro area does in a variety of areas,” Fisher said. Connectedness includes measure of things like voting patterns, community involvement, economic integration, walkability, foreign travel, and internet access. Innovation includes patents, venture capital, entrepreneurship and small businesses. Talent is measured by the level of college attainment, the number of young professionals, and the amount of foreignborn talent, among other things. Distinctiveness is the most difficult to assess, but CFC has defined it as being the extent to which a city’s collective behavior differs the most from the national norm on 10 measures of consumer behavior. “If you don’t make it engaging, people’s eyes glaze over. We make it engaging but substantive too,” Fisher said. CFC rated the top 50 metro regions on these measurements for the first time in 2006 and is updating its ratings this year. The action steps that spring from City Vitals are promoted through CFC’s City Dividends. This program is based on the principle that the greatest motivator is for people to see measurable progress being made toward solving a problem. “With long-term problems that appear intractable, that’s critical,” Fisher said. CFC calls on cities to improve by just 1% in each of these three areas:

Green dividend: Reducing vehicle miles travelled per person by one mile per day in each of the 51 largest metro regions would produce aggregate annual household savings of $29 billion. Opportunity dividend: Reducing poverty by 1% would reduce social service and benefit costs by $13 billion per year. To encourage cities to increase college completion, CFC is offering a Talent Dividend Prize of $1 million to the city that can increase its 2 year and 4 year college attainment the fastest over three years. “We have 57 cities competing for the prize,” Fisher said. “In many of the cities, there is a general understanding that increasing college completion was good, but very few cities had it as a priority.” As a result of this competition, cities have brought various sectors together to push aggressively for an increase in this metric, he said. For more information go to www.ceosforcities.org ❧

• Talent dividend • Green dividend • Opportunity dividend Talent dividend: If one measures economic success based on per capita income, the single strongest correlation to improvement is educational attainment. If we can increase the 4 year college attainment rate by 1% in each of the 51 largest metro areas, it will equate to an annual $124 billion increase in aggregate personal income, CFC says.

summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

Remaking Cincinnati Corporate leaders spearhead redevelopment effort, Focus on renovation of historic inner city structures By Andre F. Shashaty

he reopening of the new and improved Washington Park this summer marked an important milestone in a remarkable collaboration of business and civic leaders and real estate interests to revitalize the city. The key to the plan is the renovation of rundown but historic buildings to create mixed-use developments with housing affordable to a range of income groups in the district known as Over-the-Rhine. The name refers to the fact that the neighborhood was separated from downtown by the Miami and Erie Canal. Since early residents of the district were mostly German, the canal was referred to as The Rhine, as in the Rhine River, and the area beyond it as “Over the Rhine” For decades the neighborhood had been losing population, and crime had been rising. For almost as long, there’s

been debate about how to get it back on a positive track, but previous revitalization efforts have had little effect. Now the city and private developers are turning it back into a thriving neighborhood with mixed-income apartments and a variety of retail and entertainment. The reopening of the park capped years of work, creating a new centerpiece and amenity for the neighborhood.

Corporations lead The revitalization effort is spearheaded by corporations based in the city through the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), a nonprofit development venture they were instrumental in launching. Nine Fortune 500 companies are

▲ One of the biggest projects in the revitalization of Over-the-Rhine is Mercer Commons, which involves mostly new construction to remake the better part of two blocks.

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

PHOTO courtesy of 3CDC

based in the city, and of those, six have representatives on the 3CDC board. Local corporations have invested $197 million in equity into 3CDC projects, greatly reducing its need for city funds. 3CDC’s first goal was to revitalize Fountain Square, which forms the heart of the downtown business district. It completed renovation of the square and the parking garage beneath it in 2006. It maintains a steady flow of cultural and entertainment events to enliven the area. The city’s progress is all the more impressive because it’s happening in the midst of the nation’s economic slump. That’s due in large part to the drive and optimism of Mark Mallory, mayor of Cincinnati. “The city manager and I believe that even when times are tough, you have to continue to invest in areas that will grow your city,” Mallory said. Mallory is focused on economic development. Making the waterfront exciting and improving Over-the-Rhine are key to that. So is the plan for a streetcar line linking downtown with the “uptown” area. “Cities with streetcars see economic development along

Photo courtesy of Miles Wolf

▲The interactive water feature in the center of Washington Park. The 7,000 sq. ft. area has 130 pop jets that can be programmed to music and lights.

▲ Children enjoy a swing in the half-acre children’s playground at the park.

streetcar lines. It helps attract new businesses, and leads to creation of jobs,” Mallory said. “People say you can put a bus on the route and get the same result, but it is not true. Fixed rails in the ground send a very different message to developers. They suggest permanency.” The city has already nailed down all the funding it needs for the first phase of a new streetcar line. Construction of the 3.5-mile loop is slated for completion in 2014. After getting downtown’s Fountain Square back in good

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form, 3CDC turned its attention to Over-the-Rhine, which is strategically located between the downtown business district and the economically important university and medical center area. “We are fortunate to be working in a community with such diverse and vested corporations. None of the progress made so far would have been possible without the leadership of our corporate partners, working together with the city administration and elected officials,” said Steve Leeper, the CEO of 3CDC. “There is also a realization that the time and dollars invested so far have to be protected by continuing the rehabilitation of Over-the-Rhine,” he added. In addition to its strategic location, Over-the-Rhine also has an excellent stock of historically significant and attractive buildings. The old German settlers built hundreds of buildings with apartments over storefronts, and they did it in style. The bulk of the buildings were designed in the Italianate and Queen Anne styles with the kind of detail you do not find in new construction today. 3CDC prepared for its strategic advance into the neighborhood by buying 70 vacant buildings and 200 vacant lots in the area. It also looked at the local crime statistics and identified the liquor stores where much of the crime occurred. The organization bought and closed those that had the worst impact on the

“None of the progress made so far would have been possible without the leadership of our corporate partners, working together with the city administration and elected officials.” —Steve Leeper CEO of 3CDC

area, leading to a substantial decrease in crime. The area had a larger number of apartment buildings that were targeted to lower income households. To help increase the mixed-income character of the area, 3CDC focused at first on creating market rate apartments and condos but has since broadened its efforts to include new affordable housing. So far, 3CDC has created 200 condos selling from $85,000 and up, 68 apartments, and 90,000 square feet of commercial space. As of July, 2012, all but 3 of the condos had sold, and all of the apartments were fully occupied. Washington Park was an important asset that had been

PHOTO courtesy of 3CDC

▲ Families enjoy the first Movie Night in Washington Park after it was renovated and reopened. This photo is taken on the Civic Lawn, facing Music Hall, which flanks the west side of the park. Photo courtesy of 3CDC.

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

▲ Rendering shows what the new housing at Mercer Commons in the Over-the-Rhinearea will be like.

New construction coming In the next phase of development, 3CDC will start work on 34,000 sq ft of commercial space 240 residential units, 60 of which are apartments, half of which will be affordable housing to people making no more than 50 of area median income. One of the biggest projects in this phase is Mercer Commons, which consists of the development and renovation of 19 buildings and 26 vacant parcels of land on a total of 2.67 acres. It is a $53.5 million project that will encompass 126 rental units, which include 30 affordable units, 28 condominiums, 17,600 sq. ft. of commercial space, and a 340-space parking garage along with a 19-space parking lot. McCormack Baron Salazar is working with 3CDC on the second and third phase of Mercer Commons. The corporate support 3CDC enjoys is partly philanthropic.

Photo courtesy of Sherri Barber

allowed to deteriorate. It is surrounded by some of the city’s most prestigious cultural institutions including Music Hall, Memorial Hall and the new $72 million School for the Creative and Performing Arts. The rundown six-acre park was also critical to the strategy for stimulating revitalization of the Vine Street corridor, since it is located just a block off of that street. The park was renovated in partnership with the Cincinnati Park Board and the City of Cincinnati. 3CDC reclaimed two acres of vacant land next door, expanded the park from 6 to 8 acres, and built a 450-space garage to deal with the lack of parking in the area.

▲ Customers sit outside at the 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab on Vine Street. It’s one of 10 new establishments that have opened on the revitalized Vine Street in the past few years.

But the bulk of the capital represents an equity investment. The nonprofit manages four revolving loan funds with a total of $250 million. The funds offer low-rate financing that is very patient, making it possible to cover the high costs of renovating older buildings while still making properties available at market-rate rents and sales prices.

New markets tax credits The Cincinnati Equity Fund (CEF) was created in 1995 to support real estate development and compliment the low-

summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

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income housing market by providing market-rate housing units to create mixed-income neighborhoods. CEF provides gap financing for downtown real estate development projects that would not otherwise happen but for the debt facility provided by CEF. Currently, there are two main offerings: a mezzanine loan product and mixed-use construction loan product. The Cincinnati New Markets Fund is another financing tool

3CDC uses. Unlike the fund described above, this one offers investors a tax credit under the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program. That program was created under the Clinton Administration and has expired. No new allocations will be made unless Congress extends the program. The big question is whether 3CDC’s work will help create a long-term uptrend in the neighborhood that involves unsubsidized market-rate development.

Images: Cincinnati Park Board and Sasaki, Associates

Riverfront transformation well underway

▲ Bird’s Eye View of Smale Riverfront Park

Many major American cities have recognized the need to redevelop their waterfronts to create vibrant mixed-use areas. This often has involved modifying or demolishing roadways that got in the way of pedestrian-oriented uses. Cincinnati is the latest city to take the plunge, and is well along in executing a master plan for its waterfront. It marked a major step forward this spring with the opening of the Smale Riverfront Park. The 50-acre park is being constructed and overseen by the Cincinnati Park Board. In addition to lawn space, there are walking and biking paths connected to the city’s other parks east of downtown, and an expanded public landing and overlook along the Ohio River. The park is immediately adjacent to The Banks, a private master-planned development that connects to major publicly-funded projects, as well as the city’s two major sport stadiums. The Banks is envisioned as a marquee, mixed use development that incorporates residential units, office space, dining, leisure and entertainment venues. Carter and The Dawson Company are Master Developers for the 18-acre mixed-use project. Carter and

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

▲ Bike Path along Mehring Way

The Dawson Company have been associated for over 10 years on similar large-scale innovative mixed-use, transitoriented urban infill developments. Most notable is Lindbergh City Center, a 49-acre, two million-square-foot mixed-use, transit-oriented development in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. According to the developer’s web site, the Banks project “links the entertainment venues, and connects the Central Business District to the waterfront via a spectacular riverfront park. The Banks is the linchpin to a 24/7 vibrant waterfront, making it truly a live, work, play neighborhood.” The master plan was done by Pittsburgh, PA-based Urban Design Associates (UDA).

Few private developers are following 3CDC’s lead in Over-the-Rhine. Without the subsidies and corporate philanthropic support that 3CDC has, most developers would not have the same success given the relatively low prices and rents, and the very high cost of fixing up long-abandoned buildings. The other question that has long been debated is whether reinvestment will mean gentrification and displacement of the low-income households who lived in the area long before 3CDC got there. The city is offering valuable tax incentives to get more developers to upgrade older buildings or build new ones, said Michael Cervay, community development director. The most powerful tool is a 15 year property tax abatement on the increased value resulting from new construction that receives certification under the US Green Building Council’s LEED program. The abatement is 12 years for rehabilitation that meets LEED standards. There is also shorter tax abatement available for projects that do not meet LEED standards, but it is only offered in cases where the city determines its needed to make the deal work. ❧

Defend Sustainablity: Join PSC With political attacks on transit and land use planning increasing, the community sustainability movement faces severe setbacks. If you care about making communities sustainable, now’s the time to act. Take a moment now to become a member of Partnership for Sustainable Communities®. Go to www.p4sc.org and click on “become a member” in the green bar at top, or call 415-453-2100 x 302. You pay just $45 for an entire year. You will be supporting a good cause, and you will receive these practical tools you can use immediately to advance your organization’s goals: • Receive Sustainable Communities magazine, the only magazine focused on planning and community development with sustainability in mind. • Get access to our unique, 24/7 online Land Use Research Library • Free access to premium content on our web site • A free listing in our membership directory

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summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

PSC’s Voter’s Guide Where the candidates stand on sustainability issues

When you go to the polls on Nov. 6, you will have the opportunity to tell the politicians where you stand on making American communities more sustainable. To help you make your choices, Sustainable Communities magazine has gathered some basic facts about the presidential candidates. We have also highlighted a few members of Congress who deserve national attention. This is a highly selective recap of the records and positions of these candidates. It is not meant to be comprehensive but rather to stimulate discussion. It is being posted at www.p4sc.org. We invite you to go there to comment, react, or provide additional facts about any candidates we have included here or those that we have left out. You are invited to state your opinions about the candidates and the issues. Join the dialog.

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

he presidential election has already received massive news coverage. But it’s understandable if you still feel you have no idea where the two candidates stand on key issues. The presidential debates might help, but they don’t occur until October, and it’s unlikely either candidate will make any bold statements. Our research for this issue suggests they are both in the moderate mainstream of their parties on matters related to sustainability. Given the party’s differences, it’s natural that Mitt Romney will favor business interests more than President Barack Obama. On the other hand, Obama is likely to favor more regulations and more bureaucracy to attempt to enforce them, as well as more government spending on things like alternative energy. But while of different parties, both men are avoiding any overt discussion of the biggest issues affecting the sustainability of our cities, including the need to control greenhouse gas emissions, the challenge of adapting to climate change, and the need for more transportation options than driving in gasoline-powered vehicles. Neither man has shown any indication that he wants to take the political risk to be outspoken on any of these issues.

President Barack Obama

Barack Obama President Obama is the first president to provide government funding to the growing number of Americans who want to make their cities and towns more sustainable. His administration started the Partnership for Sustainable Communities—an interagency collaboration that brings the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency together to ensure that the agencies’ policies, programs, and funding consider affordable housing, transportation, and environmental protection together. The idea is that coordinating federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services will improve the efficiency of government spending, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that attract businesses. Within HUD, the Administration created the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities to create strong, sustainable communities by connecting housing to jobs, fostering local innovation, and helping to build a clean energy economy. In order to better connect housing to jobs, the office works to coordinate federal housing and transportation investments with local land use decisions in order to reduce transportation costs for families, improve housing affordability, save energy, and increase access to housing and employment opportunities. By ensuring that housing is located near job centers and affordable, accessible transportation, it attempts to nurture healthier, more inclusive communities which provide opportunities for people of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities. HUD has made $195 million in grants under the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program to support State, local, and tribal governments, as well as metropolitan planning organizations, in the development and execution of regional plans that integrate affordable housing with neighboring retail and business development. In sum, the president has made a serious effort to improve the way communities are planned and federal urban programs are managed. His record on bigger picture environmental issues is mixed

Mitt Romney

at best. He has promoted federal incentives for renewable energy. However, he has avoided taking much action or making many statements on climate change or the need to reduce carbon emissions. His campaign web site talks about his support for alternative energy but does not say a word about global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, or the efforts of many American cities to do so on their own accord. It only mentions carbon reduction in the context of support for “clean coal” technology. However, Obama has ordered federal agencies to reduce their carbon emissions.

Mitt Romney In his campaign web site, Romney sides with Congressional Republicans who say the feds should not regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. He questions the economic wisdom of federal incentives for alternative energy and calls for more domestic oil and gas production. He promises to “make every effort to safeguard the environment, but he will be mindful at every step of also protecting the jobs of American workers.” He calls for a “streamlined approach to regulation, which would facilitate rapid progress in the development of our domestic reserves of oil and natural gas and allow for further investment in nuclear power.” Meanwhile, conservative commentators are sounding alarms about Romney being a closet environmentalist. They are saying he has a group of advisors whom he might appoint to key positions who would be in favor of limits on carbon emissions and stronger fuel efficiency standards for cars, subsidies for renewable energy, and other such things. In an article in Forbes magazine, Patrick Michaels said that “Romney made a tremendous mistake on climate change when he was governor of Massachusetts, when he tapped John Holdren, a radical population-control advocate, to advise him on his cap-and-trade proposal.“ Holdren is now Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. —CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

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Republicans fight carbon emission controls, Could win power to block them in November

f we eventually learn that global warming is not a threat or is not caused by carbon emissions humans generate, hundreds of forward-looking corporations and thousands of cities that are trying to control emissions will look silly. Likewise, the Republicans who have fought to stop any U.S. regulation of carbon emissions will look like geniuses. However, if climate change continues or worsens, and if carbon emissions are not exonerated as its cause, then the Republican party will have a great deal to answer for and should be held accountable. Why single out the Republicans? Because the effort to deny the connection between carbon emissions and climate change is almost entirely the work of Republican members of Congress, supported by think tanks funded by the oil, gas, and coal industries. When you go to the polls this fall, you get to vote for every member of the House and many members of the Senate. To help you know where your congressman and senator stand on carbon emissions, you will find the names of the co-sponsors of S. 482 and H.R. 910 on this page and the following two pages. These bills would have amended the Clean Air Act to

prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change, and for other purposes. The bill passed the House but did not pass the Senate so it never became law, but it made a powerful political statement. What’s more, it could become law next year if the sRepublicans gain seats in the coming election. An interesting pattern emerges when you look at the list of cosponsors sorted by state. The degree of skepticism for science that links global warming to the use of fossil fuels seems to go up the more economic benefits a state gets from such fuels. Texas produces more oil than any other state and has the most cosponsors of the proposed legislative ban on regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. While Virginia produces little or no oil and had very few co-sponsors of the ban. Look at the list below of sponsors sorted by state, and see where your Congressional delegation stands on this issue. If your representative is not listed, they were not a cosponsor. If your state is not listed, it means there were no cosponsors of the bill from your state.

Senate sponsors of S. 482 The Senate counterpart of H.R. 910 was S. 482. It’s lead sponsor was Sen. James “Jim” Inhofe [R-OK]. Forty-three out of 47 Republican members of the Senate cosponsored the bill. There was only one Democratic cosponsor, Sen. Joe Manchin [D-WV] Sen. Lamar Alexander [R-TN] Sen. Kelly Ayotte [R-NH] Sen. John Barrasso [R-WY] Sen. Roy Blunt [R-MO] Sen. John Boozman [R-AR] Sen. Richard Burr [R-NC] Sen. Saxby Chambliss [R-GA] Sen. Daniel Coats [R-IN] Sen. Thomas Coburn [R-OK] Sen. Thad Cochran [R-MS] Sen. Bob Corker [R-TN] Sen. John Cornyn [R-TX] Sen. Michael Crapo [R-ID] Sen. Jim DeMint [R-SC] Sen. John Ensign [R-NV, 2001-2011]

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

Sen. Michael Enzi [R-WY] Sen. Lindsey Graham [R-SC] Sen. Charles “Chuck” Grassley [R-IA] Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-UT] Sen. John Hoeven [R-ND] Sen. Kay Hutchison [R-TX] Sen. John “Johnny” Isakson [R-GA] Sen. Mike Johanns [R-NE] Sen. Ron Johnson [R-WI] Sen. Jon Kyl [R-AZ] Sen. Mike Lee [R-UT] Sen. Richard Lugar [R-IN] Sen. Joe Manchin [D-WV] Sen. John McCain [R-AZ] Sen. Mitch McConnell [R-KY]

Sen. Jerry Moran [R-KS] Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R-AK] Sen. Rand Paul [R-KY] Sen. Robert “Rob” Portman [R-OH] Sen. James Risch [R-ID] Sen. Pat Roberts [R-KS] Sen. Marco Rubio [R-FL] Sen. Jefferson “Jeff” Sessions [R-AL] Sen. Richard Shelby [R-AL] Sen. John Thune [R-SD] Sen. Patrick “Pat” Toomey [R-PA] Sen. David Vitter [R-LA] Sen. Roger Wicker [R-MS] Sen. Dean Heller [R-NV]

Congressional leaders The following is a look at just a few members of Congress who have had the most influence over sustainability during this Congress. Sustainable Communities magazine welcomes suggestions for other members of Congress to cover in our next issue or on line at www. p4sc.org. Rep. John Mica (R-Florida) As chairman of the House Committee on

Rep. John Mica

Transportation and Infrastructure, Mica had the lead role in writing H.R. 7, the notoriously partisan and backward-looking transportation reauthorization bill put forth by the House this year. Voters in the seventh Congressional District of Florida, which stretches from Orlando to near Jacksonville, should think carefully about whether to support his re-election this year. The transportation bill he wrote would have encouraged more domestic oil drilling and reduced funding for public transportation

House sponsors of H.R. 910 In the House, the lead sponsor was Rep. Frederick “Fred” Upton [R-MI6] Of the 95 cosponsors, in the House only 3 are Democrats. Ninety-two out of 242 Republican members of the House cosponsored the bill. Rep. Joe Barton [R-TX6] Rep. Dan Boren [D-OK2] Rep. David McKinley [R-WV1] Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers [R-WA5] Rep. Collin Peterson [D-MN7] Rep. Nick Rahall [D-WV3] Rep. John Sullivan [R-OK1] Rep. Greg Walden [R-OR2] Rep. Edward “Ed” Whitfield [R-KY1] Rep. Michele Bachmann [R-MN6] Rep. Dan Benishek [R-MI1] Rep. Mary Bono Mack [R-CA45] Rep. Michael Burgess [R-TX26] Rep. Shelley Capito [R-WV2] Rep. Bill Cassidy [R-LA6] Rep. John “Phil” Gingrey [R-GA11] Rep. Morgan Griffith [R-VA9] Rep. Brett Guthrie [R-KY2] Rep. Ralph Hall [R-TX4] Rep. Bill Johnson [R-OH6] Rep. Adam Kinzinger [R-IL11] Rep. James Lankford [R-OK5] Rep. Robert Latta [R-OH5] Rep. Frank Lucas [R-OK3] Rep. Sue Myrick [R-NC9] Rep. Pete Olson [R-TX22] Rep. Mike Pompeo [R-KS4] Rep. Steve Scalise [R-LA1] Rep. John Shimkus [R-IL19] Rep. Lee Terry [R-NE2] Rep. Bob Gibbs [R-OH18] Rep. Bill Huizenga [R-MI2] Rep. Kristi Noem [R-SD0]

Rep. Reid Ribble [R-WI8] Rep. David “Dave” Camp [R-MI4] Rep. Cory Gardner [R-CO4] Rep. Samuel “Sam” Johnson [R-TX3] Rep. Jean Schmidt [R-OH2] Rep. James Sensenbrenner [R-WI5] Rep. Timothy Walberg [R-MI7] Rep. Steve Austria [R-OH7] Rep. Judy Biggert [R-IL13] Rep. Bill Flores [R-TX17] Rep. Steven Palazzo [R-MS4] Rep. Jim Renacci [R-OH16] Rep. Clifford “Cliff” Stearns [R-FL6] Rep. Dan Burton [R-IN5] Rep. Gregg Harper [R-MS3] Rep. Jim Jordan [R-OH4] Rep. Cynthia Lummis [R-WY0] Rep. Thaddeus “Thad” McCotter [RMI11] Rep. Tim Murphy [R-PA18] Rep. Randy Neugebauer [R-TX19] Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers [R-KY5] Rep. Michael “Mike” Rogers [R-MI8] Rep. Jon Runyan [R-NJ3] Rep. Steve Stivers [R-OH15] Rep. Patrick “Pat” Tiberi [R-OH12] Rep. Larry Bucshon [R-IN8] Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco [RTX23] Rep. John Fleming [R-LA4] Rep. John Kline [R-MN2] Rep. Jeff Landry [R-LA3] Rep. Tom McClintock [R-CA4]

Rep. Dennis “Denny” Rehberg [R-MT0] Rep. Peter “Pete” Sessions [R-TX32] Rep. Adrian Smith [R-NE3] Rep. John Carter [R-TX31]) Rep. Mike Pence [R-IN6] Rep. Jeff Flake [R-AZ6] Rep. Bill Posey [R-FL15] Rep. Kevin Brady [R-TX8] Rep. Ken Calvert [R-CA44] Rep. Blake Farenthold [R-TX27] Rep. Chuck Fleischmann [R-TN3] Rep. Samuel “Sam” Graves [R-MO6] Rep. Lynn Jenkins [R-KS2] Rep. Mike Kelly [R-PA3] Rep. Ted Poe [R-TX2] Rep. Michael “Mike” Simpson [R-ID2] Rep. Scott Tipton [R-CO3] Rep. Michael Turner [R-OH3] Rep. Robert Hurt [R-VA5] Rep. Tom Reed [R-NY29] Rep. Rick Berg [R-ND0] Rep. Jo Ann Emerson [R-MO8] Rep. Paul Gosar [R-AZ1] Rep. Patrick Meehan [R-PA7] Rep. Gary Miller [R-CA42] Rep. Joseph Pitts [R-PA16] Rep. Phil Roe [R-TN1] Rep. Todd Rokita [R-IN4] Rep. Thomas Rooney [R-FL16] Rep. William “Mac” Thornberry [RTX13] Rep. Todd Young [R-IN9]

summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

dramatically. The bill was so radical it was not even brought to a vote in the Republican-controlled House. However, the compromise bill that finally did pass both houses of Congress was greatly influenced by Mica’s work and his participation in the conference committee. Fred Upton, chairman, House Energy & Commerce Committee Voters in Michigan’s sixth district, which includes Kalamazoo, might want to look at Rep. Upton’s work as one of the chief defend-

Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)

ers of the fossil fuel business. According to The web site “Dirtyenergy.com,” he has received $890,833 in donations from the fossil fuel industry since 1999. The web site reports that “Upton’s position on climate change seems to have changed since he started receiving large amounts of Dirty Energy money. This about face has seen him make completely opposing statements on the issue within the space of 20 months: from April 2009 when he stated that ‘climate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions’ to December 2010 when he said he

Supporters of the H.R. 910 and S. 482 by state Alabama Sen. Jefferson “Jeff” Sessions [R-AL] Sen. Richard Shelby [R-AL] Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R-AK] Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake [R-AZ6] Rep. Paul Gosar [R-AZ1] Sen. Jon Kyl [R-AZ] Sen. John McCain [R-AZ] Arkansas Sen. John Boozman [R-AR] California Rep. Ken Calvert [R-CA44] Rep. Mary Bono Mack [R-CA45] Rep. Tom McClintock [R-CA4] Rep. Gary Miller [R-CA42] Colorado Rep. Cory Gardner [R-CO4] Rep. Scott Tipton [R-CO3] Florida Rep. Bill Posey [R-FL15] Rep. Thomas Rooney [R-FL16] Sen. Marco Rubio [R-FL] Rep. Clifford “Cliff” Stearns [R-FL6] Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss [R-GA] Rep. John “Phil” Gingrey [R-GA11] Sen. John “Johnny” Isakson [R-GA]

Idaho Sen. Michael Crapo [R-ID] Sen. James Risch [R-ID] Rep. Michael “Mike” Simpson [R-ID2]

Rep. John Fleming [R-LA4] Rep. Jeff Landry [R-LA3] Rep. Steve Scalise [R-LA1] Sen. David Vitter [R-LA]

Illinois Rep. Judy Biggert [R-IL13] Rep. Adam Kinzinger [R-IL11] Rep. John Shimkus [R-IL19]

Michigan Rep. Dan Benishek [R-MI1] Rep. David “Dave” Camp [R-MI4] Rep. Bill Huizenga [R-MI2] Rep. Thaddeus “Thad” McCotter [RMI11] Rep. Michael “Mike” Rogers [R-MI8] Rep. Timothy Walberg [R-MI7]

Indiana Rep. Larry Bucshon [R-IN8] Rep. Dan Burton [R-IN5] Sen. Daniel Coats [R-IN] Sen. Richard Lugar [R-IN] Rep. Mike Pence [R-IN6] Rep. Todd Rokita [R-IN4] Rep. Todd Young [R-IN9] Iowa Sen. Charles “Chuck” Grassley [R-IA] Kansas Rep. Lynn Jenkins [R-KS2] Rep. Mike Pompeo [R-KS4] Sen. Jerry Moran [R-KS] Sen. Pat Roberts [R-KS] Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie [R-KY2] Sen. Mitch McConnell [R-KY] Sen. Rand Paul [R-KY] Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers [R-KY5] Rep. Edward “Ed” Whitfield [R-KY1] Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy [R-LA6]

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Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann [R-MN6] Rep. John Kline [R-MN2] Rep. Collin Peterson [D-MN7] Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran [R-MS] Rep. Gregg Harper [R-MS3] Rep. Steven Palazzo [R-MS4] Sen. Roger Wicker [R-MS] Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt [R-MO] Rep. Jo Ann Emerson [R-MO8] Rep. Samuel “Sam” Graves [R-MO6] Montana Rep. Dennis “Denny” Rehberg [R-MT0] Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns [R-NE] Rep. Adrian Smith [R-NE3] Rep. Lee Terry [R-NE2]

was not convinced that carbon is a problem in need of regulation. This site goes on to say that this change seems to have coincided with “a remarkable increase in Upton’s contributions from oil and coal companies.” From 1999 to 2006, Upton’s dirty energy company contributions averaged less than $20,000 per year. But then from 2009 to the end of 2010, dirty energy companies plied Upton with nearly $230,000, including $20,000 from Koch Industries. In the last election, Upton vied for and won

chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Sen. Jim Inhofe

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) The senator from Oklahoma is not up for re-election this year, but we include him in this report because he is wildly audacious in his denials that climate change is occurring or has anything to do with human activity. The web site “Dirtyenergy. com” says that “Inhofe is renowned for his vehement attacks on climate science. He famously described climate change as ‘the

Supporters of the H.R. 910 and S. 482 by state Nevada Sen. John Ensign [R-NV] Sen. Dean Heller [R-NV] New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte [R-NH] New Jersey Rep. Jon Runyan [R-NJ3] New York Rep. Tom Reed [R-NY29] North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr [R-NC] Rep. Sue Myrick [R-NC9] North Dakota Rep. Rick Berg [R-ND0] Sen. John Hoeven [R-ND] Ohio Rep. Steve Austria [R-OH7] Rep. Bob Gibbs [R-OH18] Rep. Bill Johnson [R-OH6] Rep. Jim Jordan [R-OH4] Rep. Robert Latta [R-OH5] Sen. Robert “Rob” Portman [R-OH] Rep. Jim Renacci [R-OH16] Rep. Jean Schmidt [R-OH2] Rep. Steve Stivers [R-OH15] Rep. Patrick “Pat” Tiberi [R-OH12] Rep. Michael Turner [R-OH3] Oklahoma Rep. Dan Boren [D-OK2] Sen. Thomas Coburn [R-OK] Rep. James Lankford [R-OK5]

Rep. Frank Lucas [R-OK3] Rep. John Sullivan [R-OK1] Oregon Rep. Greg Walden [R-OR2] Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly [R-PA3] Rep. Patrick Meehan [R-PA7] Rep. Tim Murphy [R-PA18] Rep. Joseph Pitts [R-PA16] Sen. Patrick “Pat” Toomey [R-PA] South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint [R-SC] Sen. Lindsey Graham [R-SC] South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem [R-SD0] Sen. John Thune [R-SD] Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander [R-TN] Sen. Bob Corker [R-TN] Rep. Chuck Fleischmann [R-TN3] Rep. Phil Roe [R-TN1] Texas Rep. Joe Barton [R-TX6] Rep. Kevin Brady [R-TX8] Rep. Michael Burgess [R-TX26] Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco [R-TX23] Rep. John Carter [R-TX31]) Sen. John Cornyn [R-TX] Rep. Blake Farenthold [R-TX27] Rep. Bill Flores [R-TX17]

Rep. Ralph Hall [R-TX4] Sen. Kay Hutchison [R-TX] Rep. Samuel “Sam” Johnson [R-TX3] Rep. Randy Neugebauer [R-TX19] Rep. Pete Olson [R-TX22] Rep. Ted Poe [R-TX2] Rep. Peter “Pete” Sessions [R-TX32] Rep. William “Mac” Thornberry [R-TX13] Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-UT] Sen. Mike Lee [R-UT] Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith [R-VA9] Rep. Robert Hurt [R-VA5] Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers [RWA5] West Virginia Rep. Shelley Capito [R-WV2] Sen. Joe Manchin [D-WV] Rep. Nick Rahall [D-WV3] Rep. David McKinley [R-WV1] Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson [R-WI] Rep. Reid Ribble [R-WI8] Rep. James Sensenbrenner [R-WI5] Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso [R-WY] Sen. Michael Enzi [R-WY] Rep. Cynthia Lummis [R-WY0]

summer 2012 • Sustainable Communities

greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.’ He has described the EPA as ‘a Gestapo bureaucracy‘ and was accused of conducting a ‘McCarthyite witch hunt’ after calling for top climate scientists to come under criminal investigation.” Unsurprisingly, Inhofe has repeatedly voted against repealing subsidies for Big Oil and he is the sponsor of legislation that seeks to prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. The web site said he has received $1,328,350 in money from the fossil fuel industry since 1999. ❧

Make Your Voice Heard

Cast your vote for political heroes and zeroes Who do you think deserves recognition for supporting sustainability? Who do you think should be singled out for working against more sustainable policies and practices? Go to www.p4sc.org and make your opinions known.

PSC’s VOTER’S GUIDE —From page 31

The fact is that Romney was a fairly outspoken advocate for environmental protection when he was governor of Massachusetts. He supported a regional consortium to control carbon emissions, among other things. Overall, his record was fairly strongly supportive of measures to protect the environment, according to a good account at the website thinkprogress.org. Romney has said several times that he thinks the world is

getting warmer. A few years back, he said he believed human activity had something to do with this change. But in more recent statements, he’s backed away from that position. He has said he does not believe the U.S. should spend tax dollars to limit greenhouse gas emissions. What he really believes, no one can say. ❧

GREEN BUILDING —From page 9

tion, the Expanded Polystyrene Industry Alliance, the Extruded Polystyrene Foam Association, the Flexible Vinyl Alliance, the Industrial Minerals Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance, the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association, the Plastic Pipe & Fittings Association, the Polyisocyanurate Manu-

facturers Association, the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, the Society of Plastic Industry, the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates, the Southern Forest Products Association, the Treated Wood Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Vinyl Institute, the Vinyl Siding Institute, and the Windows & Door Manufacturers Association. ❧

Act now to support Sustainable Communities Great progress has been made toward making our buildings greener and our communities more sustainable. But the battle lines have been drawn, and powerful business and political interests are trying to turn back the clock. Our nonprofit group is working harder than ever in this election year to educate Americans about great new opportunities for reducing greenhouse gases while at the same time making our communities stronger, more prosperous and more equitable. But we get no money from foundations or the government. We rely on people like you to support our educational mission. For information go to www.p4sc.org or call 415-453-2100, ext 302

Sustainable Communities • Summer 2012

Please support the Partnership for Sustainable Communities by becoming an individual member for just $45. Better yet, if you run an organization, join at the organizational level and show the world your commitment to sustainability. You will get valuable public relations benefits, including the right to use our logo in your materials.