Green development is gathering steam in Sal Lake City, where the downtown area is gaining popularity with new residents and developers.
"Various developers are targeting downtown and the nearby areas as locations to construct trendy condominium and townhouse projects, many of which will be "green" and energy-efficient."
"Since taking office, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson has been an ardent supporter of conservation and improved environmental policies. The Salt Lake City Council last year passed an ordinance requiring new buildings that use city money to be environmentally friendly."
"The ordinance requires city-funded buildings of at least 10,000 square feet to become certified by the U.S. Green Building Council under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. Buildings earn points toward LEED certification for elements that improve conservation, sustainability, water and energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality."
"'People that live downtown really want to live downtown, and they find a way to make it work,' said LouAnn Lakis, a sales agent with real estate brokerage Urban Utah."
"Lakis said urban dwellers tend to enjoy a less complicated lifestyle that doesn't include long commutes or lots of yard work. She added they are willing to sacrifice some of the amenities of suburban living such as larger homes and bigger lots for the simplicity of city life that allows them to enjoy the attributes of an active urban community."
"Wiese said as more businesses relocate to Salt Lake City, they bring new workers who often want to live near where they work, as they have in many big cities around the nation."
FULL STORY: Downtown green: Eco-friendly housing projects becoming an urban trend
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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