Archive for the ‘sustainability’ Category

July 25, 2012

Sustainable Communities Collaborative Helps Fund Transit Oriented Development in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet We all know that after the housing market crash, banks have tightened their fists considerably, making it hard to develop anything at all, much less innovative and equitable transit-oriented projects. The picture looked bleak for new development and redevelopment, where even suburban tract housing developers were dead in the water. But a few years ago, thanks to a very dedicated local team, some funds were secured to bridge the gap of financing for transit oriented development along the Light Rail. This is great news for Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa who have opted into Light Rail and stand to benefit…

May 16, 2012

Senate Bill 1507 – Rio Declaration Prohibition – My Story and the Aftermath

by: Stacey Champion

Tweet Today’s post is by Stacey Champion. Stacey, based in Phoenix, AZ, is the owner of Champion PR + Consulting, Champion Indoors, LLC, is the organizer of Rogue Green (a monthly sustainability group) and is a community activist and blogger. She can be reached at champion@cox.net or through Twitter – @ChampPR & @RogueGreen. She was also recently named as co-chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee for Mayor Greg Stanton. My Story: In mid-March, I found out about SB1507 from a friend and colleague while in class at the Sonoran Sustainable Building Advisor Program (which I ironically, was able to attend tuition-free through a Federal green jobs training…

May 15, 2012

Confessions of an SB1507 Opponent

by: Mick Dalrymple

Tweet Today’s article is by Mick Dalrymple. Mick is a local green building and sustainability expert and filmmaker who has lived in Arizona for 38 years. Since writing and reading this article, he has vowed to get more humor back into his life. The Arizona Legislature recently ended its 50th session, to the great relief of many. The session paralleled the spectacular train wreck scene in 8MM, except that aliens (or at least bills from outer space) popped out of the train continuously throughout the entire crash and burn extravaganza. SB1507, a.k.a. the “anti-sustainability bill”, was but one grotesque example….

May 01, 2012

The Low Down on the City of Phoenix’s Plans for the Bicycle Boulevard and Extending the Central Avenue Road Diet

by: Kerry Wilcoxon

Tweet Today’s post is by City of Phoenix Traffic Engineer Kerry Wilcoxon giving us an update on plans for the Bicycle Boulevard and an extension of the Central Avenue Road Diet. Note that the extension of the Central Avenue Road Diet is still under evaluation, so if you are in favor of it, please contact your council person and express your support! Fillmore Bicycle Boulevard The Bicycle Boulevard is intended to provide an east west connection between Washington and I-10 from the Grand Canal to 15th Avenue. When completed this would allow bicyclists to travel from Tempe to Glendale through…

April 11, 2012

Migration Celebration

by: Crista Alvey

Tweet Today’s post is by Crista Alvey. Crista is a marketing intern for the City of Phoenix through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds. She is working to increase awareness of the need to protect migratory birds in urban settings through traditional and social media. Did you know that Rufous hummingbirds migrate enormous distances every year, following the cycles of the flowers and insects they depend upon for food? These little hummers fly from as far south as Central America to as far north as Canada and Alaska. On their way, they may pause…

April 05, 2012

Pedal Craft PHX – Where Art Meets Bicycles

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet April is Bike Month here in the Valley of the Sun and there are some wonderful events happening to celebrate bicycles and the people who ride them. One of the most visually appealing and fun parts of Bike Month will be Pedal Craft PHX, an event that was founded by Sustainability Manager Jonce Walker and Graphic Designer Jon Ashcroft. Pedal Craft PHX will take place on Friday, April 20, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Kitchen Sink Studios Gallery, 828 North Third Street. Admission is free. One unique part of the exhibit will be the showcasing of inventive bike…

March 14, 2012

The RO2 Lot: Beyond the Oatmeal, Beyond the Homogeneity

by: Mike Davis

Tweet Today’s post is by guest writer Mike Davis, founding principal at DAVIS architecture firm. Michael R. Davis, AIA is a second-generation Arizonan who has lived in Phoenix since 1973; when the population of Maricopa County was 1,157,000. He is an architect, artist, theologian and mountain climber currently in training for a January 2013 attempt of Mt. Aconcagua in South America. These are interesting days. Interesting to me, anyway, because they’re not too dissimilar from days past. Interesting because we’re in a pattern that we can’t seem to break. Bankers still rule development. Designers have become aestheticians at best, compliance…

March 06, 2012

Rainwater Harvesting at the Castaway House

by: Cavin Costello

Tweet Today’s post is by Cavin Costello, the designer of the Castaway House: The Castaway house is nearing completion and the central focus of the design, the landscape, is currently being installed. Jeremy Stapleton of Synergy Design Lab worked in collaboration with us from the very beginning to create a design that focused on desert indoor/outdoor living. The result was a beautiful and functional landscape design, which Jeremy describes as an “Edible, Medicinal, Sensory & Wildlife Garden.” This garden expands the interior of the house into nature and its neighborhood; all while being water efficient. There are numerous active and…

March 05, 2012

An Interview with Jon Talton about the Future of Phoenix

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet Jon Talton, a Phoenix native and an Arizona Republic columnist at one time but now a resident of Seattle, doesn’t pull any punches on his blog Rogue Columnist. He is the author of the Phoenix-based David Mapstone Mysteries, The Pain Nurse, first of the Cincinnati Casebooks and the thriller Deadline Man. His new novel is South Phoenix Rules. Talton is often criticized for being too negative about Phoenix, but it is his underlying love for the city that drives him to expose this place’s reality as he sees it – complete with a rich history, misguided dreams of unlimited…

February 27, 2012

What is Your Vision for Lower Grand Avenue?

by: Lysistrata Hall

Tweet Today’s post is by Lyssa Hall and Leslie Dornfeld: What is your vision for Lower Grand Avenue? What are your short-term ideas for increasing vibrancy along Lower Grand Avenue? What are the challenges and barriers blocking sustainable urban development? What is the role of the community in developing a sustainable Phoenix? The city of Phoenix, Grand Avenue Merchants’ Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are interested in hearing your ideas and invite you to participate in a three day community design workshop focused on “Greening Lower Grand Avenue.” Starting with its birth in 1888 as a 100-foot wide roadway…