Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008 - (Page 16)

Tops in Sustainability: Visionary Award Competition Reveals Exceptional Projects By Rob Kundert nect LEED certified offices, mixed-use residences, condos with restaurants and shopping. Two huge, abandoned mining pits that exposed groundwater to polluted runoff were filled and sealed, and converted into the “Heart” of Dos Lagos, a public space made up of the lakes and bridge as well as an amphitheater and other amenities. Nearly choked at one time with mine tailings and debris, Dos Lagos revitalized the Temescal Wash that runs south to north through the project. Today, it is filled with native plants and animals and provides habitat for endangered species. The landscaping is watered with nonpotable, nitrate-rich water from local wells that are fed by up stream, wastewater treatment plants that dump effluent into the Temescal Wash. The pollutants are absorbed into the plants and soil, cleaning the water as it percolates into the aquifer. The project is also built to incorporate recycled water. After being annexed into the City of Corona in 2000, a Redevelopment Area was established that included the old mining area. An agreement and subsequent amendments allowed the use of tax increment from the project to support Tax Allocation Bonds that financed the remediation and the construction of the Dos Lagos “Heart.” The tax increment generated from the Dos Lagos project at full build-out is significant. The starting tax base (assessed value) was only $5 million for the 543acre site. At full development, the projected tax base (assessed value) is expected to reach close to $1 billion. As the result of this public/private partnership, this project represents the pride of the City of Corona Redevelopment Department. The site is host to some of the highest end retail and housing opportunities in the area. The selection process was tough. The field of candidates for the 2008 Land Development Visionary Award was deep with projects of the highest caliber. In the end, the Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI) Awards Committee reduced the field to five finalists, which were announced at the Land Development Breakthroughs Best Practices Conference in Austin, Texas. Outlined briefly here, each of these projects will be featured in project-profile articles over the coming months, with the winner to be featured in the November/December issue of Sustainable Land Development Today. Herewith, the finalists presented in alphabetical order: Project: Dos Lagos Location: Corona, California Owner/Developer: SE Corporation/Ali Sahabi The success of Dos Lagos is a testament to the vision that turned an abandoned silica mine into a high-end, mixed-use community in suburban Southern California. The project began with a visionary approach to master planned communities in 1996. The project was at the forefront of environmentally sensitive development, incorporating Brownfield redevelopment, habitat preservation, and wetland restoration. The 543 acres of land, scarred by years of mining, featured crumbling buildings and industrial infrastructure covered in graffiti, and dying orange groves. It has been transformed and now features two lakes, a unique bridge designed to con16 May 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008

Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008 Contents Our Voice Editorial Board SLDT Resources Addressing a Crisis with Wastewater Recycling Visionary Award Finalists The Jonquil City - How a City Revitalized its Downtown Industry Spotlight: Enviroquip Solar Power System Design and Installation Stormwater: The Return of the Cistern Site Amenity: Fiber Optics Surveying and Mapping Wastewater: Low-Pressure System Special Feature: The Urban Canopy as Infrastructure Industry News Advertiser Index Products/Services Showcase Classifieds The Last Word: Nature Bats Last…

Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008

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