Green Central Blog

by Andy Fenstermacher

Without a doubt, public transit is one of the most important elements in the creation of sustainable cities and regions. While Seattle has had a spotty record when it comes to planning, funding, and building transportation projects, I am happy to say that the upcoming decade is looking quite bright in this respect. Between now and 2020 a number of major projects will have significant impacts, including localized projects such as the First Hill Streetcar and regional projects such as the connection of downtown Seattle and Bellevue via Link light rail.
Here’s a quick list of major transit projects worth following over the next ten years. And remember, these projects are by and large funded, mostly through the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure passed in November 2008.

2013:                 First Hill/Capitol Hill streetcar service begins.
2015-2016:    Downtown SR99 tunnel opens and existing viaduct removed.
2016:                 Link service extension opens to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington.
2020:                Link service begins from Seattle to downtown Bellevue via I-90.
2020:                Link service extension opens from UW to Northgate.

Happy riding! And don’t forget to pick up the new Orca Card: http://www.orcacard.com.

by Elsa Dean

It’s that most wonderful time of the year…when we are thrust into holiday madness and all of the giving that goes along with the season.  Regardless of your religious beliefs, or non-religious beliefs, you can’t deny the frenzy in the air at this time of year.  While I love the smell of freshly baked holiday cookies and sitting by a fire with friends and family as much as the next guy… I find myself looking for ways to carry out the spirit of the season in a way that is more sustainable, less commercial and much more heartfelt.   As the mother of a young son, I want to model the best of what this season offers by sharing my gifts with those less fortunate and building up communities locally and globally.  While I love this time of year, I often find myself wondering why the good vibes of the season can’t be extended throughout the entire year.  (more…)

This may have been my best Greenbuild ever! Maybe it was the inspirational speech by Al Gore, followed by scintillating music by Sheryl Crow. Maybe it was the reconnection with colleagues from the past, and the touching life celebration of Greg Franta and Gail Lindsay that I attended. Maybe it was how much I learned and all the new connections I made, in particular with researchers from the EPA Center for Environmental Research who are modeling community health impacts of urban areas. Maybe it was the Ray Anderson lunch presentation during the annual USGBC leadership luncheon I attended. Maybe it was just the fact that my book, Building an Emerald City, was released and I got to see it in the bookstore! Greenbuild rewarded on so many levels this year: professional, social, and spiritual. It both informed and inspired me. Kudos to the organizers, who have figured out how to handle crowds of over 25,000 people with grace. No small feat! Greenbuild will be in Chicago again next year, so mark your calendars now for Nov. 10-12. You won’t want to miss it. Soon, you will be able to see many of the recorded keynote presentations at www.greenbuild365.org

by Lucia Athens

Where does a sense of community come from? How are community economies sustainable over time? How can we create sustainable transport systems?

These questions were on my mind while I was visiting the shores of Lake Michigan, Northeast of Chicago. The little community of Saugatuk has a rich sense of history which has been maintained into today. (more…)