The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Bank of America Charitable Foundation announced today the 11 projects selected for the 2014 Affordable Green Neighborhoods (AGN) grant program.
Each of these neighborhood redevelopment projects are pursuing certification under USGBC’s LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system and are notable for their planned affordable housing, compact design, commitment to green building and sites located near transit or other existing amenities.
“Neighborhoods are central to the health and wellbeing of an entire community, and providing affordable, sustainable housing is critical to USGBC’s mission of creating green buildings for all,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “We commend Bank of America for their support and commitment to sustainable communities and applaud this year’s grant recipients for their work to advance neighborhood scale sustainability in their communities.”
This program is funded by a two-year, $500,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Since 2010, these grants have helped to create affordable, sustainable neighborhoods across the country. Each of this year’s projects will receive a $31,000 cash award as well as an educational package to support their pursuit of LEED for Neighborhood Development certification. In addition, five of the grantees will also receive a two-day, in-person technical assistance session with USGBC staff.
LEED for Neighborhood Development integrates the principles of smart growth, new urbanism and green building, while benefitting communities by reducing urban sprawl, increasing transportation choices and decreasing automobile dependence, encouraging healthy living and protecting threatened species.
The 2014 AGN grant recipients are:
• Bartlett Place – Roxbury, Mass.
• Butler Street Y Lofts – Atlanta, Ga.
• Essex Crossing – New York, N.Y.
• Faubourg Lafitte – New Orleans, La.
• Northwest Gardens – Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
• Rebuild Potrero – San Francisco, Calif.
• Sheppard Square HOPE VI Revitalization – Louisville, Ky.
• TNT Eco-Innovation District – Dorchester, Mass.
• Villages at Cabrillo – Long Beach, Calif.
• West Grand and Brush – Oakland, Calif.
• Westview Village – Ventura, Calif.
“The commitment of these grantees to plan energy efficient, affordable housing is inspiring,” said Alex Liftman, global environmental executive, Bank of America. “Bank of America is pleased to support this initiative that’s helping strengthen our neighborhoods and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon energy future.”
The six members of the AGN review committee, who were selected for their industry leadership, represent the perspectives of architecture and design, New Urbanism, smart growth, affordable housing, community development and tax credit financing. In their deliberations, the review committee members evaluated potential projects on several criteria relating to the strength of the project, the financial needs of the project team and the potential value to the community.
Of the 20 projects previously awarded grants, seven have achieved LEED certification thus far. This includes the first LEED ND Platinum certification in the United States (Paseo Verde in Philadelphia), five LEED Silver certifications and one LEED Gold certification. These seven projects represent more than 270 acres of land, including the construction or major renovation of 4,581 dwelling units and nearly 7.875 million gross square feet of development all to the highest standards of sustainability and inclusion. The remaining AGN grant recipients are LEED registered projects working toward completion.
For more information on the AGN program and recipients, please visit our site.
Related Stories
| Mar 19, 2012
Smith Carter joins forces with Genivar
Smith Carter has a workforce of some 190 employees and designs complex buildings in challenging environments.
| Mar 19, 2012
HKS Selected for Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie
Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachiewill incorporate advanced technology including telemedicine, digital imaging, remote patient monitoring, electronic medical records and computer patient records.
| Mar 19, 2012
Mixed-use project redefines Midtown District in Plantation, Fla.
Stiles Construction is building the residential complex, which is one of Broward County’s first multifamily rental communities designed to achieve LEED certification from the USGBC.
| Mar 16, 2012
Temporary fix to CityCenter's Harmon would cost $2 million, contractor says
By contrast, CityCenter half-owner and developer MGM Resorts International determined last year that the Harmon would collapse in a strong quake and can't be fixed in an economical way. It favors implosion at a cost of $30 million.
| Mar 16, 2012
Work on Oxnard, Calif. shopping center resumes after a three-year hiatus
Stalled since 2009, developers of the Collection at RiverPark decided to restart construction on the outdoor mall.
| Mar 16, 2012
Stego embarks on HPD Pilot Program
Vapor barrier manufacturer strives to provide better green choices to designers and builders.
| Mar 16, 2012
Marvin Windows and Doors accepting entries for fourth-annual myMarvin Architect’s Challenge
Architects in U.S. and abroad offered the chance to showcase their very best work.
| Mar 14, 2012
Hearing to decide fate of unfinished Harmon in Las Vegas under way
The testimony began with CityCenter consulting engineer Chukwuma Ekwueme methodically showing photo after photo of parts of the Harmon, where he and his team had chipped away the concrete pillars and beams to examine the steel reinforcing bars inside.
| Mar 14, 2012
Firestone names 2012 Master Contractor Award Winners
Annual award acknowledges industry’s top roofing professionals.
