George Washington Regional Commission, Green Infrastructure, and Gumbo
There'll be no gumbo at Friday's Charette, but GWRC's effort to help localities fund green infrastructure is akin to making gumbo - bring the right ingredients together and let them blend.
What do gumbo and the George Washington Regional Commission’s upcoming Green Infrastructure Charette have in common?
Both work best when you bring together the finest ingredients and people in the region and allow them to blend together for a time.
That’s what will happen Friday at the Howell Library Branch in Stafford County. Beginning at noon, and running until 1:30, government representatives will present and discuss case studies that look at possible solutions to problems around erosion and heat islands.
The three case studies involve:
North Stafford High School - Recognized as one of the hottest spots in our region.
Cosner Park - located in Spotsylvania County, the park is experiencing significant drainage issues that are eroding the riverbank
Cedell Park in King George - also experiencing erosion problems, and looking at ways to capture water and supply a native plants garden.
This charette, however, is more than an academic exercise.
GWRC Executive Director Chip Boyles says that what sets this apart from other government gatherings centered on solving problems is that “there is a pot of money at the end of the rainbow that these projects can apply for.”
Each of these projects were selected because they are “shovel ready.” The charette will help move them closer to the pot of money. Other local governments were interested, but the projects weren’t shovel ready.
The money these projects can apply for is available through the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program, or VCAP.
The goal is for these projects to firm up their proposals and be in a better position to secure the grants they need for these projects.
Local governments want to do the right thing and find infrastructure solutions that are viable, says Boyle. They just need help in knowing how to navigate the process so they can be successful.
The public is welcome to attend, though GWRC does request that people RSVP. There will be activities, as well as lunch.
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