NJ.com covers Third and Valley Groundbreaking in South Orange
Posted on March 23, 2014 at 2:48 PM
NJ.com covered the historic groundbreaking of the Village's Third and Valley project.
In the article, I got a chance to talk about how helping provide resources that would allow residents to move to South Orange without a second, or even a first car, is one of the best ways that we can embody Think Global Act Local. Bringing development into a more denser residential pattern:
- Covers less ground with impervious surfaces, disturbing less soil and rainwater runoff patterns
- Lowers per-capita HVAC costs, reducing energy usage and carbon output
- Encourages walkable lifestyles, leading to longer and happier lives
- When adjacent to transit resources, such as trains, buses, car-sharing and bike lanes, reducing need for a second, or first car, which can save a family $6,000-$8,000. Residents in South Orange can take advantage of new downtown ZipCar vehicles.
- Supports locally owned downtown businesses
- in South Orange, supports the arts, placing residents within walking distance to the South Orange Performing Arts Center
- Infuse much needed capital in the municipal budget, often converting under-utilized space into ratables.
- Provides increased parking, allowing a long-term re-organization of downtown parking to help create and encourage pedestrian centers and walkable plaza space.
- Lower our environmental impact by lessening need for driving and consumption of fossil fuels.