Friday, May 22, 2009

GREEN LIVING CASE STUDY: Bellevue Builds it Green

City of Bellevue, WashingtonImage of City of Bellevue via Wikipedia

Bellevue Builds it Green by Jeff Dal Porto

Resting in the shadow of Seattle, Bellevue redefines what it means to be environmentally friendly. From establishing green policies and regulations surpassing that of most American cities to adopting a green approach toward community expansion, Bellevue is an ideal location for environmentally-sound development projects.

Bellevue is home to more than 145 Fortune 500 companies, with Microsoft and Expedia headquartered in the city. Many of the region's high powered executives live in the community and have invested in the civic, cultural, and political infrastructure to enhance Bellevue's quality of life.

Recently named by Fortune Small Business magazine as the "best place in the nation to live and launch a business", there is a passion for the growth and a deep community dedication to environmental action and upkeep.

There are a number of both infill and brownfield development opportunities in Bellevue, many of which are in the downtown area. These parcels are generally comprised of former gas stations and retail space that has reached the end of its economic life. In addition, their location along and near Main Street, make them prime candidates for mixed-use retail-residential developments, in which the ground floor would consist of a commercial retailer and the top floors are occupied by residential housing.

While these are not high-end development plays that would likely attract retailers such as drug stores and grocers, they are ideal for the growing population of young professionals looking for just the right location in the center of Bellevue.

The City of Bellevue is also committed to "green" construction as evidenced by its outreach programs to local builders. The uniqueness of Bellevue is its ability to cater to smaller builders, working with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and its LEED designation to design programs to encourage brownfield development. As a result, establishing green building standards is often looked upon as a prerequisite to breaking ground in Bellevue and the State and City have placed a high priority on empowering smaller, environmentally aware builders, to take on green projects in Bellevue.

While higher development costs and premiums to meet Bellevue's stringent environmental standards have created a barrier to entry for some developers, the advantages to building in the city are vast. The financial stability, community commitment and long-term viability of the city make the delivery of green sound projects in Bellevue an ideal opportunity in any market climate.

Jeff Dal Porto

EnviroFinance Group (EFG)

http://www.envirofinancegroup.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Dal_Porto
http://EzineArticles.com/?Bellevue-Builds-it-Green&id=2333107

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