# La Valentina Smart Growth Project Earns EPA Recognition - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/la-valentina-smart-growth-sacramento/ - Published: 2014-02-04T19:52:27-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy **La Valentina smart growth in Sacramento** turned a long-vacant site near light rail into an affordable mixed-use development with energy-efficient features and strong transit access. The EPA recognized the project with a National Award for Smart Growth Achievement in 2013. ## La Valentina Combined Housing, Transit and Efficiency SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized Sacramento’s La Valentina building complex as the Built Projects winner of the 2013 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. The National Award for Smart Growth Achievement recognizes communities that use innovative policies and practices to develop in ways that protect the environment, provide housing and transportation choices, and strengthen their economies. Seven projects will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on February 5. _“The winning projects show us that we can develop, grow local economies, and protect public health and the environment all at the same time,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “These projects also act as models for others, so they too can chart their own path toward healthier, more sustainable communities.”_ Lying vacant for over 20 years, the area surrounding the Alkali Flat/La Valentina light-rail station in downtown Sacramento was known for crime, blight, and contamination. In 2007, a public-private partnership between the city of Sacramento and Domus Development brought together community groups to address neighborhood concerns and create a new vision for the area. From that vision came an affordable, mixed-use building complex—La Valentina and La Valentina North—that has cutting-edge energy-efficient features, bike parking, and is located next to a light-rail stop. ## The Project Became a Smart-Growth Model The La Valentina project achieves the goals of the Sacramento Region Blueprint, a 2004 EPA [Smart Growth](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/smart-growth-achievements-for-a-sustainable-future/) Award winner, to accommodate population growth while mitigating factors that contribute to climate change. California’s 2008 Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, or SB 375, is the nation’s first legislation to link transportation and land use planning with climate change. SB 375 requires regions in California to develop Sustainable Communities Strategies like the Sacramento Region Blueprint and encourages projects like La Valentina throughout the state. The 2013 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement recognized five winners and two honorable mentions in the following categories: Overall Excellence – Winner [Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail/Historic Fourth Ward Park](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/05/epa-rain-catcher-award-for-lindsay-street-park-in-atlanta/), Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., Atlanta, Ga. Corridor or Neighborhood Revitalization – Winner Historic Millwork District and Washington Neighborhood, Dubuque, Iowa Plazas, Parks, and Public Places – Winner Charles City Riverfront Park, Charles City, Iowa Policies, Programs, and Plans – Winner GO TO 2040, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Metropolitan Chicago, Ill. Built Projects – Winner La Valentina, Sacramento, Calif. Policies, Programs, and Plans – Honorable Mention Lower Eastside Action Plan, Detroit City Planning Commission, Detroit, Mich. Built Projects – Honorable Mention Via Verde, New York City Department of Housing Preservation, The Bronx, N.Y. La Valentina was selected from among 77 applicants in 31 states. The winning entries were chosen based on their effectiveness in [creating sustainable communities](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/07/we-can-save-water-through-sustainable-communities-through-acts-in-public-works/); fostering equitable development among public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders; and serving as national models for environmentally and economically sustainable development. EPA created the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement in 2002 to highlight exceptional approaches to development that protect the environment, encourage economic vitality, and enhance quality of life. In the past 12 years, 61 winners from 26 states have shown a variety of approaches that states, regions, cities, suburbs, and rural communities can use to create economically strong, environmentally responsible development. EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities manages the awards program. ) [More information on La Valentina, including a video.](https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth) ## Conclusion: Smart Growth Connects Buildings With Transportation La Valentina smart growth in Sacramento showed why sustainable development is about more than efficient buildings. Location, transit access, affordable housing and land-use planning all shape a community’s environmental footprint. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. 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