AIA Blueprint for America A National Project of the American Institute of Architects

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AIA Blueprint for AmericaA National Project of
the American Institute of Architects

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AIA Blueprint for America

• The AIA celebrates its 150th Anniversary in 2007
• To celebrate its 150th year the AIA is asking all
  of its local Chapters to create a Vision for the
  Future of their respective area of
  responsibility
• The Vision is to be Long Range (50 years),
  Innovative, Exciting, but also Realistic and
  Problem Solving.
• At the end of 2007, each Chapters Vision will be
  presented and published as a Total AIA Blueprint
  for America
• Objectives
• Show America that Architects can and should
  participate in the planning for the future of the
  built environment
• Enhance the Brand Recognition of The American
  Institute of Architects

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Vision Plan Schedule

• 2005 Brainstorm Vision Ideas
• 2006 Meet with local planning agencies and
  other interested groups to exchange ideas.
• 2007 Present Vision to local, state and
  national officials
• 2007 Present Vision to public
• 2007 Submit Vision to AIA for inclusion in
  Blueprint for America

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At this point in time the following presentation
only represents brainstorming ideas of the AIA
Treasure Coast and is presented only for the
purpose of obtaining responses to ideas. No
individuals or groups including the American
Institute of Architects have officially endorsed
any of the ideas presented.
This is a Work in Progress
This Work is a Vision
This work represents a Vision, a collection of
coordinated ideas, to be used as an approach for
planning for the future of the built environment
in the Treasure Coast. Even though suggested
plans will be offered, the specifics of those
plans are not critical. The ideas not the plans
are the Vision.

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AIA Blueprint for AmericaA Vision for the
Futureof the Florida Treasure CoastJuly 2005

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Executive Summary
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Summary Recommendations

• Aggressively Pursue High Quality Jobs (Top
  Priority Improve Tax Base)
• Top Quality Science/Research/Technology/Education
  (SRTE) Communities become the signature for
  Treasure Coasts Urban Transit-Oriented-Developmen
  ts (TOD)
• Reduce Traffic / Develop Transportation Network
  Including Light Rail
• Limited Access Parkway from Sebastian to Hobe
  Sound/Indiantown
• Light Rail Connecting Science/Research/Technology/
  Education Communities
• Feeder Bus Lines Connecting Neighborhood TODs
  with Urban TODs and Heritage Communities
• Mandate Compact Village Approach/ Large Open
  Preserves
• Develop Design Criteria for Planning Neighborhood
  TODs and Urban TODs
• Strive for Vibrant Professionally Business Based
  (SRTE) Compact Urban TODs serving young to old,
  rich to poor on a year round basis.
• Secure Large Land / Heritage Preserves.
• Reinforce the Relaxed Old Town Atmosphere in
  Heritage Communities (Vero Beach, Stuart, Fort
  Pierce and other smaller existing communities)
• Reduce Traffic / Set Compatibility Standards

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Transit-Oriented-Development (TOD)

• Urban TOD
• Located on a Main Transit Route
• Job-Generating Higher-Intensity Uses such as
  Offices, Retail Centers, Theater District,
  Restaurants / Bars, Tourist Activities,
  Entertainment, Education Centers,
  Research/Science Centers
• Higher Density Housing and Hotels
• Neighborhood TOD
• Located on a Feeder Route to a Main Transit Route
• Residential, Schools, Library, Local-Serving
  Shopping (Grocery store, Bank, Drug Store),
  Worship Facilities, Civic Buildings (Post Office,
  Etc.)
• Walking Orientation, Pedestrian Pathways

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Treasure Coast at a Crossroads

• Counties Must Decide the Direction of Their
  Future Development
• (1) Luxury Country Estate Homes for the wealthy
  retired part-time residents on 5-10-20 Acre Sites
  OR
• (2) Vibrant Professionally Business Based
  (Science / Research / Technology) Urban TOD
  Communities serving young to old, rich to poor on
  a year round basis connected by efficient Transit
  Systems to Neighborhood TODs
• Counties Must Ask Developers to Demonstrate That
  All New Developments Will Contribute to a
  Positive Cash Flow to the Tax Base
• All new developments must pay their own way in
  terms of new capital improvement projects
  (Schools, libraries, fire / police stations,
  roads, sewers, water) and in terms of continuing
  taxes to pay for teachers, police, fire fighters,
  and capital projects maintenance
• Existing taxpaying residents should not be
  burdened with additional taxes to support new
  developments

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Bottom Line Choices

• Luxury Country Estate Homes for the wealthy
  retired part-time residents (5, 10, 20 Acre
  Ranchettes) (Very Low Density)
• Real Estate Taxes may not cover public
  infrastructure costs resulting in higher taxes to
  current residents or less services
• No large land / heritage preserves
• No affordable housing solution
• Growth driven by developers profit
• Vibrant Professionally Business Based (Science /
  Research / Technology) Compact Urban and
  Neighborhood TOD Communities serving young to
  old, rich to poor on a year round basis with
  strong retail and leisure support (Medium
  Density)
• Impact Fees, real estate taxes, sales taxes, and
  business taxes calculated to cover public
  infrastructure costs resulting in no additional
  taxes to current residents
• Large land / heritage preserves
• Affordable Housing is provided
• Growth driven by best solutions contributing to
  Positive Cash Flow for Tax Base