GreenTRIP Newsletter

Below is an archive of past GreenTRIP Newsletters. Sign-up for the GreenTRIP e-mail list by completing our interest form.

 

First GreenTRIP Certification of 2012

(March 21, 2012)

 

Congratulations to Barry Swenson Builder's Vendome Phase II for being the first GreenTRIP Conditionally Certified project of 2012!  Details on Vendome’s GreenTRIP Project Evaluation Report and Letter to Planning Commissioners here.  With a "Very Walkable" Walkscore  Vendome II is primely located across the street from the Civic Center light rail station at the northern edge of downtown San Jose. The 122 unit mixed-use multi-family development will offer two VTA Eco Passes per unit for 40 years, creating up to $1.1 Million in gaurenteed transit revenue.  The Planning Commission's unanimous first stage approval for Vendome II is a concrete step towards meeting the rising demand for compact, healthier communities where you can easily drive less and still have access to everything you need.  

Join us in celebrating TransForm’s 15th Anniversary next Wednesday! Reserve your tickets for this San Francisco event here. We are thrilled to feature Dr. Manuel Pastor, Director of the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity at the University of Southern California. He is a fantastic speaker and one of the leading minds on regional planning, sustainability, and equity. 

Please also save the date for our first ever Transportation Choices Summit! Join us May 1 and 2 in Sacramento to learn, develop common strategies, and send a powerful message: "California must support real transportation choices that are sustainable and equitable!" I will be speaking on a panel: “Completing the Vision: Supporting Sustainable, Equitable, Transit-Oriented Land Use Development” with the esteemed Julie Snyder, Housing California and David Mogavero, Mogavero Notestine Associates. Sponsor the Summit and/or Register here.

We are continually accepting applications for GreenTRIP certification. Developers can download the application here, contact me to receive a mailed application packet or request a presentation about GreenTRIP to your project team. Thanks for helping us spread the word!

P.S. TransForm is hiring! Click here for our openings including State Campaign Organizer. TransForm's family photo. We are a nice bunch. Come meet us at upcoming events!

Happy Holidays from GreenTRIP

(December 22, 2011)

The holiday season is extra bright with tidings from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). GreenTRIP will receive partial funding to develop a web-based tool that will help make the benefits of trip reduction strategies, affordable homes, and smart parking available to community stakeholders, developers and others. It is one of the programs that will receive some funding from the HUD’s 2011 Sustainable Communities Regional Grant which was just awarded to the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Also please join us for a free GreenTRIP webinar about maximizing affordable TOD production while minimizing transportation costs. The Switzer Foundation will be hosting our Executive Director and Switzer Fellow, Stuart Cohen, and myself to speak about the program’s successes and our plans to influence policies on an increasingly larger scale, Wednesday, January 11, 10-11am PST.

Finally a word from my high school classmate whom I had the pleasure of reconnecting with at our Calthorpe TransForum in January!

"I support TransForm because intelligent transportation and land use is critical to a sustainable and livable society, and TransForm is one of the few organizations that recognizes *and* fights for it."

Chris Harrelson
Software Engineer, Google
Founding Engineer of Google Transit 

TransForm is doing great work for sustainable, equitable development across CA and we would love to have you support our work.  To learn more go to: https://secure.commonground.convio.com/TransForm/donate/

Thanks again for all your support and interest in GreenTRIP & Happy Holidays!

P.S. We are accepting applications for GreenTRIP certification on an ongoing basis. Application information can be found here.

GreenTRIP Awarded Prestigious Federal Home Loan Bank Grant

(October 13, 2011)

We have some great news to share about GreenTRIP, TransForm’s innovative certification program that rewards multi-family, mixed-use, in-fill projects that apply comprehensive strategies to reduce traffic and greenhouse gas emissions.

Last month GreenTRIP was awarded funding by both the FHL Bank of San Francisco and the Union Bank Foundation.  Bay Area Affordable Housing Developers: stay tuned for a call for applicants to receive a significantly discounted GreenTRIP certification and evaluation!

If you are attending the annual Rail~Volution national conference in Washington DC next week, you are invited to attend one of two sessions that I will be presenting at:

  • Rail~Volution 101 (Monday, 10/17, 10-12pm): For first-time Rail~Volution attendees this is a great intro session! Rail~Volution 101 sets the stage with an overview of the principles of building livable, walkable communities. The interactive forum includes leaders from transit agencies, cities, advocacy groups and the development field.
  • Side of GreenTRIP with your lunch? (Tuesday, 10/18, 12-1:30pm):  Introduction to GreenTRIP: Why we created it? How it works? Where we’ve certified projects?  Following a brief presentation there will be an interactive discussion with the audience in breakout groups, where you will have a chance to provide feedback on GreenTRIP while learning from the unique collection of perspectives from your fellow session participants.

Thanks to those who tuned in for our first GreenTRIP webcast! We had a great turn out of over 70 listeners across the nation.  For those who missed it, fortunately LISC has it archived on their website where you can view the webcast and download each presentation. 

Finally, we invite everyone to join our growing GreenTRIP Community LinkedIn Group, where GreenTRIP enthusiasts can connect with each other and hear about GreenTRIP developments in between newsletters.

Caltrans acknowledges GreenTRIP

(August 3, 2011)

We have some great news to share about GreenTRIP, TransForm’s innovative certification program that rewards multi-family, mixed-use, in-fill projects that apply comprehensive strategies to reduce traffic and greenhouse gas emissions.

Caltrans plans to notify cities and project sponsors that GreenTRIP is available as a vehicle trip reduction strategy for new transit-oriented development projects.

The letter from Caltrans acknowledges that, “the GreenTRIP certification program objectives align well with the Department’s goals of reducing auto trips associated with new local development and providing transportation choices.  In reviewing local transit-oriented housing development proposals, the Department plans to notify project sponsors and municipalities of the availability of GreenTRIP certification as a means of reducing vehicle trip generation and impacts on the State Highway System.”

Please find the original letter from Caltrans here.

We’re also proud to share that the 2010 GreenTRIP certified units (Green Republic, EBL&S, Bridge Housing/Westlake Development, Eden Housing and City Centric) will provide the equivalent of 80,000 years of transit passes and 24,000 years of carsharing to residents! Read more about these projects’ impressive results. 

You can also check out our newest cohort of GreenTRIP applicants: Priya Living, Barry Swenson and Resources for Community Development.

Finally, there are two ways to learn more about GreenTRIP’s potential in reducing traffic and greenhouse gas emissions for new developments.  

GreenTRIP will be featured in a session at the California APA Conference this fall: “Moving Forward: A Tool for Estimating VMT Reduction.”   

There is also a GreenTRIP case study featured in new Center for Resource Efficient Communities report by Eliot Rose, Leveraging a New Law: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions under Senate Bill 375.

Thanks for your continued interest in GreenTRIP and hope you have a fantastic summer!

 

GreenTRIP: Open for Applications thru Nov 15, 2010!

(October 14, 2010)

GreenTRIP is open for service! For the first time, GreenTRIP is accepting applications from any Bay Area project that meets our minimum participation criteria.

Please help us get the word out by encouraging Bay Area developers you know to apply for GreenTRIP Certification or let us know who we should send an application invitation to. Or let us know if yor organization can include a link to our materials either as part of your website or electronic newsletter. We'd love to get your help with announcing this exciting opportunity.

The deadline to apply is Monday, November 15.

Based on much evaluation and success following our invitation-only pilot test last fall, we have revamped the program with a new look. Check out our new materials on our website, www.GreenTRIP.org:

  • GreenTRIP Brochure: Explains the benefits and value of GreenTRIP certification.
  • GreenTRIP How-to Guide: Learn about how the Certification Program works with this overview of the step-by-step certification process, certification standards, and schedule of fees.
  • Application Process:  See the minimum criteria for participation and the steps it takes to apply and download the new Application Form.

Please help get the word out about GreenTRIP Certification and thank you for continued interest and support for our program!

Two Lunch Time Forums on GreenTRIP, Get ready for Applications (September 13, 2010)

This fall is an exciting time for GreenTRIP, the certification program awarding residential mixed use projects with the most effective strategies to reduce driving.

In October, we plan to open a one-month window to accept applications for the revised version of GreenTRIP!

But first, come learn about GreenTRIP at two upcoming events:

  • September 22, 2010: a joint SPUR/ ULI lunch forum at the SPUR Urban Center, 645 Mission St., San Francisco from 12:30-1:30 pm.  Hear from three developers whose projects earned GreenTRIP certifications.Co-sponsored by SPUR and ULI San Francisco. Free for SPUR members, $5 for non-members.
  • October 14, 2010: a joint APA/ITE lunch forum at Caltrans District 4 headquarters at 111 Grand Ave., Oakland from 11:30-1:30pm. Hear about GreenTRIP as part of a panel on “Sustainable Communities Strategies for Land Use and Transportation”.  APA and ITE members receive credit for attending.  You must RSVP, no walk-ups allowed. To RSVP, or for more information check http://www.sfbayite.org/. Cost is $15 for members, $25 for non-members. Lunch included.

Help us get the word out about GreenTRIP!

Please send us suggestions of projects or developers who should receive a personal invitation to apply for the next round of GreenTRIP certification.  If you’re a developer getting this email directly from me, you’re already on our list. Please help us get the word out!

Last winter, during our invitation-only GreenTRIP pilot test, we demonstrated that developers have strong interest in the program, that we can run the certification system successfully, and that developers will change their projects to receive GreenTRIP certification. See a summary sheet of certified projects here. Now this “beta test" will test the market by releasing an open call for applications and charging fees to participate in the program.

Updated GreenTRIP application materials will be available on our website in mid-October.  This will include a GreenTRIP fee schedule, application forms and an updated Guide to GreenTRIP which will summarize the certification process and certification standards. Take a look now for a preview of new website content.

Thanks for your continued interest in GreenTRIP, the certification program awarding residential mixed use projects with the most effective strategies to reduce driving.

GreenTRIP News & Join the Car-Free Challenge!  

(May 26, 2010)

GreenTRIP, TransForm's new certification program, has been evaluated and we're starting to set up our Beta Test anticipated for release later this year.  We are proud of all the great attention we've received recently:
  • GreenTRIP invited showcase at the Association of Bay Area Governments' Spring General Assembly in April.  GreenTRIP was identified as one of the top 10 most innovative transportation programs in the region recommended to local governments for combating climate change and supporting implementation of SB 375
  • Todd Littman, Executive Director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute and GreenTRIP Advisory Committee member, recently wrote a great blog article about GreenTRIP on Planetizen, the leading planning news web resource. Read the article here.
  • Parker Place is now Fully Certified. The Berkeley Zoning Adjustment Board approved the project in April making it the third Fully Certified GreenTRIP project. Parker Place will offer two monthly transit passes to each of the 155 units for 40 years at a 50% discount of retail cost. They've also unbundled all the parking. View all five certified projects here.
Join the GreenTRIP Car Free Challenge Team! 
How few miles can you drive June 1-7? Whether you cut back your driving or you're already car-free, GreenTRIP and TransForm need your help to build a critical mass of Californians who want better walking, biking, and public transportation options. We've started a GreenTRIP Car-Free Challenge Team! Join the GreenTRIP team and show your love for TransForm and GreenTRIP. If you can't join the challenge you can always support team members and your name will appear on their page. 
 

To join GreenTRIP's team: 
1) Go to: http://www.transformca.org/car-free-challenge and head to the REGISTER NOW area on the right side of the screen. (There is a $45 registration fee, which gets you a t-shirt, prizes, and invitations to parties.)
2) Once you're registered, there will be an option to Join a Team on the left side of the screen. Click this and then select GreenTRIP as your team.
3) Invite your friends to participate and join our team!

 

 
 
3 new GreenTRIP projects – learn more in person April 20!!


(March 30, 2010)

GreenTRIP, TransForm's new certification program, has now certified five developments that will keep the number of new parking spaces as low as possible and offer incentives for new residents to drive less. 

Check out the newest GreenTRIP Certified projects:

  • Station Park Green is a mixed-use development in San Mateo with 599 homes.  Station Park Green will provide a carshare pod onsite and offer free carshare membership to all eligible residents.
  • Parker Place is a mixed-used development in Downtown Berkeley with 155 homes. Parker Place will offer 100% unbundled parking and two discounted AC Transit Easy Passes to each household for the life of the project!
  • The Crossings is a mixed-used, 300-home development adjacent to the Downtown San Leandro BART Station. The Crossings will unbundle parking for the Cornerstone portion of the development and provide one 50% discounted AC Transit Easy Pass per household to the residents of The Alameda.

Come learn about GreenTRIP in person on April 20.  We will showcase two of our GreenTRIP projects. Guest speakers will include Mark Rhoades (City Centric, developer of Parker Place) and Michael Gregory (Councilmember, City of San Leandro).  Register now for the April 20 panel.

Read what others are saying about GreenTRIP:

Info you requested about new certification program

(December 18, 2009)

Thank you for your interest in GreenTRIP, TransForm’s new certification program that will recognize and reward residential and mixed-use developments that reduce traffic, have less parking, and are more walkable.

TransForm just awarded its first-ever GreenTRIP certification to a new development in San Jose called The Ohlone. That's because The Ohlone development will keep the number of new parking spaces as low as possible and offer incentives for new tenants to drive less. Learn about The Ohlone.

When it comes to green building, how people get to a building is just as important as what that building is made of. We want GreenTRIP to become the gold standard for low-traffic development.Help us ramp up GreenTRIP quickly from its pilot phase by supporting TransForm now.

I hope you'll take a minute to learn more about GreenTRIP on our website. Also, if you'd like to be involved in further developing the program, we'd love to have your help. Please click this link to fill out a form or simply email me back.

Thanks again for your support in breaking new ground in green development!