San Diego assoc. awards $9.4M for 'smart growth'

The San Diego Association of Governments' (SANDAG) Board awarded $9.4 million in grants to municipalities to help pay for smart growth initiatives - improvements that support compact, transit-oriented developments, which also create interesting places within communities.

"These projects will serve as catalysts for smart growth developments throughout the region," SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos said. "Our goal is to create great places - inviting centers that offer people the choice of living, working, and shopping without always driving in a car."

SANDAG awarded the grants through the first funding cycle of the new TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program, which will issue grants every two years for the 40-year life of the TransNet extension approved by voters in 2004. A wide variety of applications were considered for the grants, which were awarded for capital and planning projects.

A total of 43 applications were received, requesting just under $30 million. SANDAG followed a comprehensive project selection process developed with extensive stakeholder involvement. Grants were available only to the 18 cities and the county government.