EPA honors Mariposa District | Inside Real Estate News

A rendering of the Mariposa District project in Denver that was honored by the EPA.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today recognized Denver?s Mariposa District with its 2012 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement.

The Denver Housing Authority?s 17.5-acres site near the West 10th Avenue and Osage light rail station in the La Alma/Lincoln Park neighborhood, was one of the seven winners honored by the EPA in Washington, D.C.

The Mariposa District won the EPA?s Equitable Development category. The EPA received 47 applicants from 25 states for its Smart Growth Achievement awards.

The phased Mariposa project, which will have 800 units when completed, is being constructed with many green and sustainable features. It is scheduled to be completed in 2018. Green building elements will reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent, with 75 to 80 percent of building rooftops dedicated to renewable energy. Green infrastructure strategies will reduce storm water flows into the storm sewers by 80 percent.

?The EPA Smart Growth Award for the new Denver Mariposa District shows the great commitment of our housing authority to create smart, vibrant communities,? said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.

?Denver Housing Authority?s progressive approach to planning and design is consistent with the city?s strategic investments in our neighborhoods to deliver eco-friendly affordable housing and sustainable economic development through active community engagement,?Hanccok said.

DHA created a master plan for the diverse area with extensive community input, which included more than 120 meetings, group consultations, workshops and information sessions.?The ?community-driven design? project preserves affordable housing while adding new homes at a variety of price points and provides access to downtown Denver by light-rail.

It also incorporates community concerns about health by including sidewalks, bike lanes and other features that make it easier for residents to be physically active.

The project also will providing ?classes to residents on healthy cooking and eating and job training for residents in health-related fields.

The Mariposa District project is supported by the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities. That effort brought the EPA, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation together to provide assistance and funding to help plan and achieve specific housing goals.

Other winners include:

  • Equitable Development Honorable Mention????Northwest Gardens, Fort Lauderdale, Fla
  • Main Street or Corridor Revitalization Winner ???The Cooperative Building, Brattleboro, Vt.
  • ?Main Street or Corridor Revitalization Honorable Mention????Larkin District, Buffalo, N.Y.
  • ?Programs and Policies Winner????Destination Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Va.
  • Programs and Policies Honorable Mention ?? Bay Area Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Fund, San Francisco.
  • ?Overall Excellence Winner??? BLVD Transformation Project Lancaster, Calif.

?The 2012 winners of the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement are taking innovative steps to realize a vision of American communities that are clean, healthy, environmentally responsible and economically resilient,? said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.

The? EPA created the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement in 2002 to recognize exceptional approaches to development that protect the environment, encourage economic vitality and enhance quality of life.

In the past 11 years, 54 winners from 26 states have shown a variety of approaches that states, regions, cities, suburbs and rural communities can use to create economically strong, environmentally responsible development. The EPA?s Office of Sustainable Communities manages the awards program.

Have a story idea or real estate tip? Contact John Rebchook at JRCHOOK@gmail.com. InsideRealEstateNews.com is sponsored by Universal Lending, Land Title Guarantee and 8z Real Estate. To read more articles by John Rebchook, subscribe to the Colorado Real Estate Journal.

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