Top Obama Officials Promote 'Smart Growth' In Seattle
Amy Radil
02/05/2010
TRANSCRIPT
The federal secretaries of housing and transportation both took the stage at this week's conference on so–called Smart Growth. EPA administrator Lisa Jackson had also planned to attend, but sent a substitute. The intention was to make clear that all three agencies will be working around common goals in choosing new local projects to fund. They want to see housing and transportation proposals that address environmental and social issues as well. For example, they want projects that help people work and go to school close to where they live.
Shaun Donovan, secretary of Housing and Urban Development, said his fellow agencies will also sign off on $140 million in upcoming grants for innovative projects.
Donovan: "For the first time ever, we will provide federal money to support planning grants that will be selected not only by HUD but also by DOT and EPA in partnership."
And the Department of Transportation is proposing $527 million to promote "livable communities" through grants to states and cities. Transportation secretary Ray LaHood says those grants, too, must meet the goals of his partner agencies.
LaHood: "It supports any new initiatives we develop on our own like expanding transit in low–income neighborhoods, or what our friends at HUD and EPA are working on in collaboration."
Local coalitions are already forming to seek those federal dollars. Seattle architect Bill Kreager co–chairs the Quality Growth Alliance, which he says is composed of "strange bedfellows" like builders and environmental groups. He says Seattle and King County have a better chance at landing those grants if they can bring diverse partners on board.
Kreager: "The challenge will be for communities seeking that funding — and Seattle will be definitely one of those communities looking for it — will be to convince the federal government that there is a shared vision here."
Kreager says conference attendees have been touring Northgate's Thornton Place project as well as Seattle's High Point neighborhood to see examples of "livable communities."
I'm Amy Radil, KUOW News.
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