The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded TIGER Grants last week to cities across the country, funding projects that “foster job creation, show strong economic benefits, and promote communities that are safer, cleaner and more livable.”    New Orleans shared in the pie of funding, getting a $45 million grant to pay the full cost of a new streetcar line to run along Loyola Avenue, reaching from Canal Street to the Union Passenger Terminal.

Nola.com reports that RTA hopes to have the streetcar line up and running within 2 years.

In addition to the $45 million in federal funding, RTA is hoping to make a “French Quarter Loop” through local investment.

While much of the focus here has been on the development of retail establishments along the streetcar line, here are some benefits we see:

• $45 – $115 Million investment into building the new lines;
• Increasing alternative transportation options for residents and tourists (including transportation to the train station)
• Additional step for New Orleans towards more sustainable practices

Congratulations to RTA and the team working on the TIGER Grant.

The New Orleans Times Picayune ran a story last week that lead off with these two paragraphs:

Louisiana is expected to get $122.3 million in federal economic recovery money to improve the energy efficiency of homes, government buildings and public transportation over the next three years and to jump-start renewable energy projects for electricity generation.

The money should create scores of new jobs for tradesmen willing to learn green building practices. It also will help moderate-income households around the state improve the energy-efficiency of their homes and lower their utility bills.

Over the next three years, authorties estimate that over 6,000 homes will be weatherized under the program.

In addition to this, President Obama has recently come out to designate New Orleans as the “U.S. Blueprint” for green construction and environmental protection, invigorating urban centers and stressing volunteerism.

Perhaps the promise of the Global Green USA’s Build It Back Green program, Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation and other similar programs are finally making its impression, and the New Orleans area will see real investment in green building over the next few years.