Masters Project ProposalGreen Community DevelopmentSNRE Academic Advisor:Professor Thomas GladwinClient:Peter AllenTeam Members:Abigail Myers, Annie Ho, Christopher Lee,Christopher Charles, Danielle Kahn, Emile Lauzzana,Jackie Byars, Jennifer Morris, Lybra LindkeApril 3, 2003iExecutive SummaryA multi-disciplinary team of environmentally-conscious University of Michigan graduatestudents has begun to research the economic feasibility of an environmentally responsible(green) community development in the city of Ann Arbor. The team is comprised of landscapearchitecture, architecture, resource ecology and management, environmental policy, law andurban planning students. The site selected for the study is the DTE/MichCon site near theBroadway Bridge, and initial work is already underway. The Green Broadway Project will be anintensive, year-long study of the economic feasibility of providing the city with anenvironmentally conscious development. Ultimately the team will deliver design solutions foran ecologically responsible mixed-use development. The terms “green” and “sustainable” aretwo words that have acquired various definitions through increasing use for different concepts.Throughout this paper we will refer to the concept of “green” as the minimization of impacts tothe environment, incorporation of energy efficiency, water conservation, waste minimization,pollution prevention, resource-efficient materials, and indoor air quality in all phases ofdevelopment.1 “Sustainability” references will signify a development that will not compromisethe health of the environment or the associated health and well being of the building’s occupants,builders, the general public, or future generations.2Green urban renewal applies green and new urbanism design principles to theredevelopment of existing urban spaces to create communities that are more compact, livable andcommunity oriented; less car dependent; and more environmentally friendly. This involves theredesign of an area into a sustainable community by fusing together commercial, residential andindustrial interests with environmentally beneficial elements such as green building design, 1 City of Seattle, Sustainable Building Action Plan, 1998.iiinnovative storm water management, green roof construction, habitat restoration, and alternativeenergy technologies.Ann Arbor prides itself on its sustainability efforts; by restoring and redevelopingpreexisting sites within its current boundaries, the city can curtail urban sprawl and minimize thedevelopment of undisturbed land. The design plan for the MichCon/DTE site will focus on thefeasibility of creating a livable community structured around green design; it will therefore be aproduct of community needs and our own research and analyses. To accomplish this, the teamhopes to create a coalition of stakeholders from the local government and community to providefeedback on site use and design.The MichCon/DTE site straddles the Broadway Bridge on the north side of Ann Arbor.There are two sections of the site: one area extends 12.5 acres south of the Broadway Bridge, andthe other extends 3.5 acres north of the bridge. (See Appendix A for map) The MichCon portionof the site, on the south side of the Huron River, was an old coal gasification plant that now sitsunused by DTE. This portion of the site is considered a Brownfield area due because of soil andwater pollution resulting from former coal gasification practices. A site is designated as being abrownfield due the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, orcontaminant as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Glossary.3The team will evaluate the legal and policy issues surrounding MichCon's Brownfielddesignation and see how these issues might affect the site design plan and the funding options forcleanup and redevelopment. Both sites are currently owned by Detroit Edison and may soonbecome available for development. Peter Allen, a major local real estate developer, recentlyexpressed interest in redeveloping this site for mixed commercial, community, and residential 2 Landman, M. Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy, Spring 1999.3 http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/glossary.htmiiiuse and indicated that he would consider green design principles in the plan when economicallyfeasible.In light of recent interest in the site, the group seeks to evaluate the potential for greendevelopment options on the MichCon/DTE site for potential green development options.Specifically, the group will evaluate options for mixed-use purposes that meet the needs of theAnn Arbor community within the larger context of creating an environmentally sustainable sitedesign plan. The group also plans to evaluate the economic feasibility of green developmentoptions and the viability of these options in the Ann Arbor community.The proposed background research is centered around green community development andwill further explore specific green building techniques, community acceptance, site conditions,brownfield remediation, and the financial feasibility of green development. This research willprepare our team to begin Site design and to integrate the development of the Site into the city'slarger plan for the Allen Creek Corridor.All research and proposed plans will be evaluated through strategic meetings with ourclient and advisor, as well as community stakeholders. In addition, informal open houses will bescheduled to gain valuable feedback from the SNRE community.Table of ContentsEXECUTIVE SUMMARY iI. INTRODUCTION 1II. BACKGROUND 3III. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED RESEARCH 4A. OBJECTIVES 5B. RESEARCH METHODS 6IV. DESCRIPTION OF RELEVANT INSTITUTIONAL RESOURCES 10V. PERSONNELA. BIOGRAPHIES 12B. RESUMES 13VI. BUDGET 23A. PROPOSED BUDGET 23B. BUDGET 25C. FUNDING SOURCES 26Map of MichCon/DTE Site APPENDIX A1I. INTRODUCTIONThe MichCon/DTE sites near the Broadway Bridge, both currently owned by DetroitEdison (“DTE”), may soon be for sale, as the company has expressed interest in relocating toanother site within the community which is more suitable for their needs. Local real estatedeveloper Peter Allen has expressed an interest in redeveloping this site for possible commercial,residential and community use. If he were to have that development opportunity, he hasindicated that he would consider incorporating green design principles in his plan if feasible.The Green
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