12.27.06

We're spending time in Knoxville this week visiting family.  Alot has changed since we moved from here to Montgomery four years ago. 

In particular, the downtown is finally starting to get some urban traction.  Here's a storyfrom the local free weekly (note to all at King Kudzu:  what we have is great now but a Metro Pulse-type publication is what is really needed--and we'll gladly help do it for free) that covers some of that traction.

Best of all, downtown Knoxville just got one of these...

12.26.06

Okay, so it's not January 2nd but we found this articleon mixed use development interesting enough to return from hiatus (especially considering that mixed use is a major component of the new Montgomery downtown master plan to be unveiled on January 11th).

Enjoy!

12.20.06

RiverRegionSmartGrowth.com will be taking a holiday break until January 2nd so updates will be sparse during this time. 

However, once January gets here, we'll be introducing some new features for 2007...ones that we believe will further the growing conversation in the River Region related to all aspects of Smart Growth.

So, we'll see you back in a couple of weeks...until then, Merry Christmas!

12.18.06

Here's a good articlediscussing the importance of making sure that city planning and school planning is considered together rather than as isolated, unrelated parts. 

Fortunately, this seems to be happening in Montgomery County based upon the plans we've seen and meetings we've had leading up to the Smart Growth & Schools Summitin February 2007

12.16.06

Click hereand then scroll down seven entries for an interesting sounding classified related to area development.

12.15.06

The Montgomery Advertiser editorial page certainly got this one right:

For several years, bills have been introduced in the Legislature to allow fuel tax revenue to be used for public transportation. They have met defeat each time, at least in part because too many legislators - and too many of their constituents - are devoted to the transportation status quo.

That mindset has to change. The energy realities of the future demand it.

12.14.06

Here's the brochure/registration informationfor the January 19th SmartCode Work Session that we will be holding at the law school.

It will focus on preparing and reviewing SmartCode applications and is intended for those who develop, those who design developments, and those who review development plans.

Feel free to circulate it to anyone that you might think would be interested (though space is limited and is already filling up).

12.13.06

Looks like some positive changesmight be afoot with the KMAC-owned mill on the Tallassee Riverfront.  Hopefully Prof LeBleu's Auburn design students can provide some great ideas for this great structure that could really anchor smart growth in that area...

12.12.06

Atlanta continues to amaze and inspire...

12.11.06

 

And, speaking of SmartCode education, we will be hosting a half-day SmartCode Work Session at Jones School of Law(focusing on the post-adoption administrative and application issues related to the SmartCode) on Friday, January 19th from 9am to 11.30am .

The cost is only $50 (includes handout materials).  You can register by calling 334.386.7536.  Registration is limited to 40 people and we already have nearly 10 spots filled.

On the news front, this articleis very troubling:

A new civic center. A chic downtown hotel. Bustling roundabouts and busy cross-streets. Using business-friendly buzzwords like "foot traffic" and "smart growth," city planners have big ideas for Montgomery.

But their soaring visions of the city's future are being grounded by a nagging problem: poor attendance on two key committees that sign off on those plans.

To Jeff Downes, an assistant to Mayor Bobby Bright and an influential player in Montgomery's downtown redevelopment, any delay to fiscal growth is a problem.

Jeff is exactly right on how regulatory delays hurt downtown revitalization efforts. 

Quite simply, serving on these appointed boards is an important civic contribution.  And, if the appointees cannot regularly make these meetings, then it seems that the City Councillors who appoint them should find another citizen who is willing to commit to this important responsibility.

And, most of all, please DO NOT decide to pay appointed officials.  Church volunteers, neighborhood volunters, and charitable volunteers aren't paid for their work.  Nor, should civic volunteers. 

12.10.06

The agenda, brochure, and registration for the next SmartCode Workshop (this time in Austin, Texas) is now available.   As the SmartCode becomes an increasingly popular zoning tool in the River Region, we highly recommend this seminar.  Click herefor more info.

12.08.06

Just finished up a couple of days worth of SmartCode work sessions for this community.  Not only is this area beautiful, but its citizens and planning team seem very committed to making their place an even better place for all.

12.07.06

As the principles behind smart growth becoming increasingly well-received in the River Region, there's always the danger that some may co-opt that term for merely marketing purposes.  This storydiscusses that problem:

The Smart Growth label is put on many new development projects, whether or not they adhere to the comprehensive concepts of legitimate Smart Growth. Frankly, many recent so-called Smart Growth developments are smart in name only. The two most common ways that the Smart Growth label is misused deal with location and infrastructure.

Indeed, this has already happenedat least once in the River Region...

12.05.06

Interested in finding historic photos of Montgomery and the River Region? 

If so, thanks to reader Tommy Brassell for passing along this website...

12.04.06

This is one of the most unfortunate thingswe've read about in awhile: 

While some Montgomery youth programs stand to gain from an amendment to the city's budget, two departments took a major blow.

The city's Legal Department lost $100,000 from its $350,000 professional services budget, and $75,000 came out of the Planning and Development Department's $150,000 professional services budget.

Councilwoman Martha Roby, who voted against the amended budget, said these are vital city departments. The funds would have been used to contract with outside firms.

Roby sits on the board of the Cleveland Avenue YMCA, which received an extra $5,000 under the budget change.

"I'm not opposed to any of (the youth groups)," said Roby. "But our first priority as a legislative body that oversees passage of the budget ought to be that public works and public safety are well funded."

First, let me make one thing very clear:  our bewilderment at the Councillor Janet May-led effort to cut the planning and development budget has nothing to do with politics.  We'd be saying the same thing if Councillor Roby or Jinright or anyone else proposed such a short-sighted move.

That being said, what bewilders us about this move is that it makes terrible, terrible business and strategic sense for the city of Montgomery as a whole. 

Why, you ask?

Simple.  Only recently has Montgomery started to generate regional--and national--attention for some of its strategic planning and development initiatives.  The Dover Kohl charrette.  The Historic Southview charrettes.  The ongoing Centennial Hill planning efforts. 

Each of these represent just a few of the examples of how Montgomery is generating the type of positive buzz that makes it more attractive to recruiting new businesses and professionals while retaining the existing ones.

And, this is not to say that YMCA's are not important.  They most certainly are.  But, in the big picture, the city as a whole (including its YMCA's) is best served by fully funding a strategic planning and economic development effort.

For some reason, five of the city's elected councillors either don't understand this type of "big picture" strategy or have chosen to ignore it for other reasons (which while tempting to do, we won't speculate about).

Indeed, whatever the reason, let's just close with this:  I've studied numerous city revitalization efforts around the country and I have never seen such a decidedly non-strategic move made in furtherance of such an effort.

Hopefully, at least one of these five city councillors will read this (or somehow be persuaded otherwise), that cutting the budget of the city planning and development department is a decision completely devoid of long-term thinking.

11.29.06

Nashville is often cited as a great example of a capital city that has embraced many smart growth principles.  I recently wrote an article for Event Solutions magazine that--while not directly smart growth related--does discuss some very interesting places in Nashville. 

Click hereto read the article.

11.28.06

First, registration is now upfor the Jones School of Law/Envision 2020 Smart Growth & Schools conference in February 2007.  The keynote for this Seaside Institute event will be the current CEO of the CNU, John Norquist.

We'll have much more to come on this exciting event soon...

Meanwhile, this articledoes a great job explaining how cities are competing for young residents:

Cities have long competed over job growth, struggling to revive their downtowns and improve their image. But the latest population trends have forced them to fight for college-educated 25- to 34-year-olds, a demographic group increasingly viewed as the key to an economic future.

Mobile but not flighty, fresh but technologically savvy, "the young and restless," as demographers call them, are at their most desirable age, particularly because their chances of relocating drop precipitously when they turn 35. Cities that do not attract them now will be hurting in a decade.

We highly recommend that--if they haven't already--River Region Chambers of Commerce and elected officials carefully read this article and consider this important issue.  Without a strategy on this topic, cities and regions will find themselves left behind in many ways.

11.27.06

Today's Montgomery Advertiser includes a new articleon the mixed-use A&P development in the Cloverdale area.  The article announces several of the new tenants for the project as well as the beginning price point. 

Definitely worth a read.

11.22.06

While doing some research on transit options (including the ones proposed for Montgomery), we came across this interesting Wikipedia entrywhich catalogues most of the rapid transit systems throughout the world.

Two words of caution though: 

1.  The list doesn't cover trolleys so places like Little Rock and Memphis are not included.

2.  The list is extremely addictive--indeed, we ended up spending most of the evening browsing its various links.  Of course, as a result, now we know interesting trivia tidbits such as the fact that Cairo is the only city in all of Africa with a true subway system and the capital of North Korea also maintains a subway system which also happens to be the world's deepest.

In fact, one curious thing that the list shows about the current and former communist states--they sure loved to build subways.

11.20.06

This articledoes a good job describing the general concept being used locallyfor the new Dexter Avenue/Court Square plazain downtown Montgomery.

11.16.06

Mark your calendars for Friday, January 19th 2007 from 9am to Noon.  Here at the law school we'll be conducting a SmartCode Work Session focusing on preparing and reviewing SmartCode applications. 

We'll use actual submissions as well as checklists and flowcharts to demonstrate some of the more efficient methods for preparing and reviewing SmartCode applications.  This work session will be ideal for planners, developers, and architects--among others.

The number of attendees is limited to 50 person maximum with the work session itself costing only $50 per person.

If you would like to register or have any questions, contact Chad Emerson at either 334.386.7536 or cemerson@faukner.edu.

11.09.06

Another exampleof how Mississippi Gulf Coast communities are using the SmartCode as a regulatory tool to not just restore and rebuilt but "re-envision" their potential for greatness...

11.08.06

The first brochure for the joint Seaside Institute/Jones School of Law/Envision 2020 Smart Growth & Schools Summitis now available and looks great.  This event promises to be an incredibly informative one discussing the important issue of how schools can be located and designed in sustainable, community-friendly ways.

11.07.06

Sorry for the lack of Updates recently. We're expecting child #3 (our third boy, Cullen Thomas Emerson) any day so I've been running around crazy trying to tie up loose ends.

Anyhow, in the meantime, here's an article discussing some SmartCode issues from Gulfport, Mississippi.  Unfortunately, the article makes it sound more complext than it really is.

And, speaking of educational efforts related to the SmartCode, I'll be presenting a brief seminar to the Tuscaloosa Area Homebuilders Association on November 21st in Tuscaloosa.  For more details, click here.

11.02.06

Here's an interesting articlefrom the Central Alabama Business Journal on development in East Montgomery.  I say "interesting" because it is full of:

A.  Actual good news

B.  Actual bad news

C.  Potential good news

D.  Potential bad news

Care to guess which is what?

11.01.06

This Friday, the Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association will be holding its World Planning Day meeting at Jones School of Law.  It will focus on smart growth planning issues.  Here's a flyerwith additional details.

10.31.06

Here's an articleabout a SmartCode project that I'm assisting with in Post Falls, Idaho.  Further evidence of the SmartCode's growing nationwide appeal.

10.29.06

I have no idea how active this group remains but this websiteabout railway projects in Alabama sure seemed interesting.

10.23.06

Thanks to a Birmingham area reader for passing along this interesting articleon what sounds like a new "town center" for Alabaster, Alabama. 

I conducted a day-long SmartCode work session with their city staff and elected officials last April that went very well.  This was one of the projects that their planning team thought might be a good fit for the SmartCode as a regulatory framework.

10.19.06

This month's New Urban Newshas an excellent feature on smart growth and the River Region.  Here'sa scanned copy of the article.

10.16.06

If you haven't had a chance to check out the latest issue of Montgomery Living, then we recommend doing so as it has a nice article on Anna Lowder and Harvi Sahota and several of the smart growth projects that they are working on in the River Region.

Also, the SmartCode Workshop is this week in Las Vegas where Ken Groves (Montgomery's planning director), Anna, Harvi, and myself will be leading two sessionsthat focus smart growth projects and happenings in the River Region.

We'll post details upon our return...

10.11.06  Happy 5th Birthday Owen!!

This projectis incredibly good news for Cloverdale and the city of Montgomery in general as its a great example of smart growth infill planning...We'll post much more on this as the project moves along:

Ken Upchurch III, chairman of the Huntingdon board of trustees, confirmed Monday that an agreement had reached for the development of residential and two-story mixed used retail and commercial buildings with second-story lofts.

Plans call for the Colonial Co. to purchase a strip of Huntingdon’s Cloverdale campus, including the frontage along Boultier Street and along Navarro to the driveway of the college’s Weil Center.

Two buildings would be built along Fairview Avenue, leaving the façade of the Cloverdale School building, which Huntingdon now uses as classrooms, a theater, athletic facilities and offices, visible from Fairview, said school spokeswoman Su Ofe.

 

10.10.06

As issues relating to how smart growth and schools interact continue to increase in profile in the River Region, this articleoffers a thought-provoking discussion of environmentally-sustainable school practices.  We highly recommend reading it.

 

10.02.06

Now this sounds like a great idea when it comes to creative solutions for new community-based schools...

9.28.06

It's late notice but we just received wordthat Kenneth Jackson--author of  an excellent book called Crabgrass Frontier(which I'm coincidently currently reading) will be speaking on Thursday September 28 at Auburn University.

Click hereto read more about Mr. Jackson and his famous book on the history of suburban growth in the United States.

9.27.06

Work has startedon the new Court Square Plaza in downtown Montgomery--a first step in implementing key aspects of the Dover Kohl plan:

The city plans to spend $1 million to install cobblestone streets in the fountain plaza, opening the area to both pedestrians and cars. The plaza will have more than 33,000 square feet of cobblestone surface.

The traffic engineer consultant for this project (who were also part of the Dover Kohl team) is Hall Planning & Engineeringout of Tallahassee, Florida--one of the nation's very best.

Be on the lookout for more announcements in the coming weeks...

9.22.06

We continue to hear positive things coming out of Tallassee concerning how the mill redevelopment projects may spur a larger downtown and riverfront revitalization effort.  One possibility to do so is the adoption of a SmartCode as the regulatory tool for facilitating good results.

Along those lines, attached is an imagewe were forwarded that represents one conceptual rendering of the area. 

We'll pass along more info as it becomes available...

9.19.06

With the Dover Kohl charrette now wrapped up, there's going to be alot of work left to do--especially in educating the general public and community leadership.  Here are some resources that can be used to help spread the word about this great project.

Part One of the Opening Powerpoint Presentation

Part Two of the Opening Powerpoint Presentation

Select Images from the Closing Presentation

Enjoy!

9.15.06

Attachedis the official press release from Thursday evening's Downtown Montgomery Work In Progress Presentation.  We'll have more images early next week...

9.14.06

The downtown Montgomery charrette finishes up this evening with a presentation at 6.30pm at the Davis Theater across from Troy University's downtown campus.  I'm heading out to Orlando for some work this weekend but when I get back I'll post a bunch of images and other materials from the charrette.

In the meantime, here's the press releasethat Hampstead just released regarding the status of that project.

Hope to see you this evening...

 

9.13.06

I'm writing as the Charrette Open House is ongoing.  Even with the rain, it's a pretty good crowd so far.

Today has included a good number of meetings with potential developers under the downtown plan ranging from detached housing to mixed use lofts.  Overall, energy and excitement is running high.

Here's an articlefrom the Advertiser this morning discussing Montgomery's newly approved Dexter Avenue Plaza that, according to the consultants, will be the first of its kind in the Southeast.

 

9.12.06

Okay, The Update has a whole bevy of information from the ongoing Dover Kohl downtown Montgomery charrette...

Here's a copyof the ZVA housing analysis report that we referenced in the last update.  Basically it concludes that there is an immediate demand of 200+ new downtown residential units (divided almost equally between rental and purchase options) per year over the next five years.

And, here are pictures from the Opening Presentation and Saturday Community Design Work Session at Alabama State University:  #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8.

Tuesday is another day of meetings with community groups, citizens, and business leaders.  If you're downtown, we highly recommend stopping by...

 

9.11.06

This morning really begins some of the key planning at the downtown Montgomery charrette. 

We're getting started with a meeting this morning that includes the Riverfront Foundation, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and the design team.  During the meeting, Laurie Volkwill be reporting on the housing analysis study that concluded there is a current demand of up to 2700 housing units in the downtown planning area.

We'll be back with more information later, including photos from the opening presentation and Saturday community planning work session.

 

9.08.06

The Dover, Kohl & Partners downtown Montgomery charrette is now underwayand RiverRegionSmartGrowth.com will provide the most detailed coverage anywhere...

Starting with these photos from Day One where the charrette team toured several key downtown areas as well as getting a regional perspective by touring The Waters and the Cloverdale areas of town.

Photo #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, and #9.

Tonight is the kick off event at the Davis Theater downtown and then Saturday morning will be the very important community wide planning session at Lockhart Gymnasium at ASU.

Hope to see you there...

 

9.05.06

The Watershas an interesting new video on-line regarding this ground-breaking TND in Pike Road, Alabama.  Speaking as someone who lives there, I can attest that this is a real good review of the community.

9.04.06

Congratulations to Lowder New Homes on the recent SmartCode Article 3 approval of their new TND.  The project was designed by Kevin Klinkenberg's firmand the CRC submittal was done by City Loft(Anna Lowder and Harvi Sahota's firm).

The project requested and received three warrants but did not require any variances.

This is the second SmartCode project approved within the last 6 weeks under Montgomery's new SmartCode floating zone and, more than likely, will end up being the first to break ground (primarily because sewer infrastructure is currently in place on the site.

Interestingly, this TND contains nearly 25% T-1 (land permanently excluded from future development).  A very nice amenity.

 8.31.06

As the downtown Montgomery charrette nears...here's an articlefrom the Montgomery Independent discussing it in detail...

8.30.06

This article explores another great idea concerning smart growth and schools:

Swelling enrollments. Shrinking budgets. Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. When education providers confront these obstacles to expansion, a multi-million-dollar new facility or major additions probably are not feasible.

Converting vacant and underused buildings into school facilities enables administrators to acquire additional space quickly and cheaply. And they even may help revitalize their communities.

And here's an article that could offer inspiration to Tallassee and the efforts to revitalize its historic mills into smart growth projects:

The fanfare will come Sept. 15, when the 360,000-square-foot mill complex, being remade for artist work spaces, restaurants, offices, a bakery with warehouse and other uses, holds a community open house.

8.29.06

Here'syet another story--this one out of Gainesville--discussing the importance of school sites and how they can positively or negatively affect growth patterns.  This is very important for the River Region.

8.28.06

Here's a storyout of Biloxi discussing the overall Mississippi Gulf Coast rebuilding effort and how smart growth continues to have a role.

 8.24.06

Nathan Norris and I are heading down to Baldwin County, Alabama this evening for a Friday SmartCode OnSite Session with elected officials and planning officials from that region.  This follows a recently successful SmartCode OnSite in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Monroe County, Georgia; and Buffalo, New York.

If your community is interested in learning more about these daylong sessions, feel free to contact me at cemerson@faulkner.edu.

8.22.06

The Update has been relatively quiet these days as we bid goodbye to my brother, sister in law, and baby cousin as they head to Togo, West Africafor a five year missionary commitment.  Needless to say, we are very proud of them.

However, now that they're on their way, we'll resume more regular Updates.  Starting with this one where the River Region's own Nathan Norris did an excellent job presenting the SmartCodein Walton County, Georgia:

Facilitated by The Placemakers, Nathan Norris spoke of strip malls as the cannibalization of retail, how conventional zoning regulates by separating and how people are really scared of density without design, not just density.

Using towns like San Antonio and Montgomery as well as visuals to show those in attendance how developments using SmartCode succeeded, Norris made his case for an alternative to current planning and zoning.

8.17.06

In terms of school siting, walkability does not directly correspond to proximity.  After all, Montgomery's Blount Elementary is in close proximity to several large subdivisions but is not walkable because of the fact that its located on a busy, high-speed thoroughfare.

This articleexplains the problem when school districts don't take a comprehensive look at how school's are designed and where they are located.

In the end, this proposed legislation will be exposed as implausible in the long-term as gas prices continue to rise.  This is exactly why school districts need to design walkable schools within close proximity to neighborhoods. 

Walkability and proximity must be considered together as one.

8.16.06

 

More encouraging newsout of Atlanta regarding smarter growth trends.  As more people relocate to the midtown, city center, and other areas serviced by MARTA, its genuinely possible to live in Atlanta without owning a car.

In many ways, Atlanta's renewed focus on smart growth can be a great inspiration for how the River Region can do the same...

8.15.06

It appears that the buyer of the Tallassee Mt. Vernon Mills--a historical site by several accounts--is planning to demolish the structures in order to re-sell their flooring.  Here's where K-MAC Service, the purchaser at issue, describes their intent.

This is unfortunate and, frankly, from what we've been told, a somewhat deceptive move by K-MAC.  No wonder that their spokesperson had little to say during the recent press event held by the Tallassee Chamber discussing downtown and mill revitalization.

Try contacting these folks if you feel that the Historic Mt. Vernon Mill should end up being more than just a source of flooring material...

Roger Chastain - President
Mt. Vernon Mills, Inc.
P.O. Box 100
503 S. Main St.
Mauldin, South Carolina 29662
864-688-7100

Dr. Robert B. Pamplin - CEO
R.B. Pamplin Corporation
Suite 2400
805 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
503-248-1133 FAX: 503-248-1175
 

8.14.06

An update from the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  While Biloxi continues to represent challenges, we continue to hear that both Pascagoula and Moss Point are close to implementing important smart growth recovery plans.  We'll update you as we hear more...

 

 

8.11.06

Click here and here to learn more about Mathews Glen--an interesting Smart Growth project that is being planned in the eastern portion of Montgomery county.

8.10.06

As promised, click here, here, here, here, and here for some great images from the meeting that we discussed in the 8.08.06 Update.  A very interesting meeting and quite the smart growth coup for the River Region.

8.09.06

Looks like nearby Eufaula, Alabama is considering the adoption of a SmartCode:

"Officials also mentioned the use of the Smart Code to overlay current regulations. The Smart Code offers criteria for streets, blocks, open spaces and buildings based on their geographic location from rural to urban.

"The Smart Code legalizes great places" Risinger said.

Risinger said updating current land development and zoning regulations would aid the city-especially with the possibility of "big-box retailers" entering the city's retail market over the next few years. Risinger said it is important for city officials to let those retailers know what they want their store to look like from the exterior design of the building to the parking lot."

 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17026003&BRD=2235&PAG=461&dept_id=439676&rfi=6

 

I made a presentation there on the SmartCode a couple of months ago and the mayor and other key decisionmakers seemed very interested.

8.08.06

This morning's Montgomery Advertiser has a front page story on how the teams planning Hampstead and the teams planning the downtown Montgomery plan met up last week in Montgomery during a charrette.  We'll have photos of the meeting soon.

8.07.06

New Orleans has announced the final teams selected to participate in the comprehensive city redevelopment effort.  River Regioners should recognize several of the names...

 

8.06.06

Here's an interesting article discussing some of the potential scenarios that might result if oil prices continue to rise and the housing bubble bursts.  Definitely important points to consider.

8.05.06

As the Downtown Montgomery charrette gets closer this September, here are some new scheduling details.

8.02.06

Thanks to Sandy Sorlien for forwarding this helpful Illustrated Glossary of Planning Terms that the City of Cleveland has put together.  The document does a good job using images to help define some of the more common terms.  Definitely worth a read.

8.01.06

Thursday is shaping up as a big day for Smart Growth in Montgomery as a Dover Kohl team will be here for a site visit preceding the September downtown planning charrette, a DPZ team as part of a private architectural charrette, and the ACT team as part of a charrette.

Needless to say, at least for one day, Montgomery will certainly be a hub of Smart Growth activity.  This bodes well for the entire region's future.

Also, this story updates some of the latest development happenings in the Atlanta area--many of which share some Smart Growth components.

7.31.06

Nathan Norris and I just returned from leading a SmartCode work session in Buffalo, New York--a city that is truly a hidden architectural and planning gem.  Here's a story discussing the event.

And, here's a photo from our tour of Buffalo's amazing city hall.

7.27.06

Today was a big day for Smart Growth in the River Region as the Montgomery SmartCode Consolidated Review Committee approved the first phase of the Hampstead project.  Congrats to Anna Lowder, Harvi Sahota, and the entire Colonial Company team...

 

7.26.06

As the Dover Kohl charrette for downtown Montgomery gets closer (beginning the second week of September), here's a story about one of that firm's current planning projects.

 

7.24.06

Just back from our favorite family vacation spot and this interesting e-newsletter was in our Inbox.  Definitely worth reading as it discusses some of the important health aspects of Smart Growth.

7.19.06

Did you know that cul-de-sacs were originally developed to address topographical challenges like mountains and large bodies of water?

Unfortunately, they've now become a cause-du-jour of sprawl growth.  Fortunately, more and more cities are realizing the overall problematic effects of cul-de-sacs and beginning to restrict their use.

River Region communities should pay heed to this trend.

7.18.06

The U.S. Green Building Council, a well-respected industry group, has established a certification system for sustainable building techniques.  These techniques range from sustainable materials to sustainable systems used. 

While most everyone would agree that building as sustainably as possible is a good thing for the long term benefit of our communities, some have suggested that complying with these sustainable techniques in order to obtain certification is not economically feasible.

This article demonstrates otherwise.  Here's an excerpt:

Christensen said he was able to construct the environmentally friendly Banner Bank Building at 10th and Bannock streets for about $20 million, which is around the cost of construction for a standard building.

"People