Smart Growth Gains Big Allies

The Hewlett, Irvine and Packard Foundations are spending millions of dollarsto fund organizations working to advocate "sustainable communities,"with denser development and accessible public transit. Although many ofthe organizations receiving funding are in the Bay Area, the foundationsfear they cannot make significant infrastructure improvements inCalifornia's major metro areas where development patterns are firmlyestablished. The funding focus is shifting to developing regions in theWest including California's Central Valley and Sierra Nevada, as well asSalt Lake City and Tucson.