March 31, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester awarded a Clean Michigan Initiative grant to the Uptown Cool City Neighborhood. The grant supports Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s Cool Cities Initiative and will result in the implementation of low-impact development techniques in Grand Rapids.

The DEQ offered a Request for Proposals specifically targeted at Cool Cities catalyst grantees in October 2004. The Uptown Cool City Neighborhood project is the first of the projects to be awarded. It will result in the implementation of low-impact development techniques at four locations, one of which is the Helmus Building, formerly a small brownfield site turned into a green building. Low-impact development practices at the four sites will collectively demonstrate green roofs, pervious paving that allows water to reach the ground, and bio-retention in an urban setting.

“The Uptown Cool City Neighborhood project will implement the type of storm water practices that we need in our urban and suburban watersheds,” said Director Chester. “Low impact development allows for economic growth and environmental protection to go hand in hand.”

The Uptown Cool City Neighborhood project is a collaboration between five neighborhood associations and four business districts. For more information on the Uptown Cool City Neighborhood effort, contact Rachel Lee at 616-454-9079.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised March 31, 2005