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
Multifamily Housing | Feb 2, 2023
St. Louis’s first transit-oriented multifamily development opens in historic Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood
St. Louis’s first major transit-oriented, multi-family development recently opened with 287 apartments available for rent. The $71 million Expo at Forest Park project includes a network of pathways to accommodate many modes of transportation including ride share, the region’s Metro Transit system, a trolley line, pedestrian traffic, automobiles, and bike traffic on the 7-mile St. Vincent Greenway Trail.
Giants 400 | Feb 2, 2023
2022 Convention Center Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. convention and conference facilities sector
Clark Group, EUA, KPFF, Populous, TVS, and Walter P Moore top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest convention and conference facilities architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 1, 2023
Step(1) housing: A new approach to sheltering unhoused people in Redwood City, Calif.
A novel solution to homelessness will open soon in Redwood City, Calif. The compact residential campus employs modular units to create individual sleeping units, most with private bathrooms. The 240 units of housing will be accompanied by shared services and community spaces. Instead of the congregate dorm-style shelters found in many U.S. cities, this approach gives each resident a private, lockable, conditioned sleeping space.
Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2023
New Jersey to allow private firms to conduct construction inspections
New Jersey recently passed a law that will allow towns to supplement construction code enforcement with help from the private sector. The legislation, which received bipartisan support, also allows municipalities to enter into shared service agreements with neighboring towns for construction inspections.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 1, 2023
University of Houston opens 'game changer' wellness center at downtown campus
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) recently opened its new Wellness & Success Center (WSC). The $39 million, 75,000 sf facility greatly improves the quality of the school’s exercise programs and areas dedicated to them. It also establishes a dynamic core and recognizable landmark for fostering and nurturing an on-campus community, according to a news release from SmithGroup, which designed the building along with HarrisonKornberg Architects.
Giants 400 | Feb 1, 2023
2022 Cultural Facilities Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. cultural facilities sector
Populous, DLR Group, KPFF, Arup, and Turner Construction head BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest cultural facilities sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report. Building types include museums, public libraries, performing arts centers, and concert venues.
Giants 400 | Jan 31, 2023
2022 Retail Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. retail building sector
Gensler, CallisonRTKL, Kimley-Horn, Henderson Engineers, Whiting-Turner Contracting, and Turner Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest retail sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Jan 31, 2023
2022 Government Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. government buildings sector
Gensler, Jacobs, Hensel Phelps, and Page top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest government sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Healthcare Facilities | Jan 31, 2023
How to solve humidity issues in hospitals and healthcare facilities
Humidity control is one of the top mechanical issues healthcare clients face. SSR's Lee Nordholm, PE, LEED AP, offers tips for handling humidity issues in hospitals and healthcare facilities.
University Buildings | Jan 30, 2023
How wellness is reshaping college recreation centers
Moody Nolan, a specialist in the design of college recreation centers, has participated in the evolution toward wellness on college campuses.