The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to drive sustainable development through its Greening America’s Capitals program, a technical assistance initiative that helps state capital cities integrate green infrastructure into their urban landscapes. In its latest round, the EPA selected five capital cities — Austin, Texas; Carson City, Nevada; Columbus, Ohio; Pierre, South Dakota; and Richmond, Virginia — to receive design assistance for projects that use vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage stormwater, improve water quality, and increase climate resilience. For builders and developers, understanding these EPA stormwater regulations and green infrastructure approaches is essential for staying ahead of evolving environmental standards and incorporating sustainable site development practices into residential and commercial projects.
This article explores the five city projects, the technical principles behind green infrastructure design, the construction considerations for implementing these systems, and what builders can learn from the program’s approach to resilient community development.
Understanding the Greening America’s Capitals Program
Launched in 2010, the Greening America’s Capitals program has provided design assistance to 18 capital cities and the District of Columbia. The program operates through a competitive selection process, with cities submitting proposals for specific neighborhood revitalization projects that incorporate green infrastructure, complete streets, and sustainable community design. The EPA partners with each city to develop conceptual designs that can serve as models for other communities facing similar challenges.
Program Goals and Framework
The program focuses on three interrelated objectives that directly affect how builders approach site development:
- Stormwater management through natural systems rather than traditional gray infrastructure
- Economic revitalization of underserved neighborhoods through improved public spaces
- Climate resilience planning that prepares communities for extreme weather events
Each selected city receives direct technical assistance from EPA-funded design teams that include landscape architects, urban planners, civil engineers, and transportation specialists. These teams work with local stakeholders to produce conceptual designs that can be implemented through public works projects, private development, or public-private partnerships.
Why State Capitals Matter
State capitals serve as demonstration projects for the entire state. When a capital city successfully implements green infrastructure, the approach can influence building codes, zoning ordinances, and development standards across the region. Builders working in states where the capital has adopted green infrastructure requirements should expect similar policies to spread to surrounding communities over time.
Five Capital Projects: Design Approaches and Construction Applications
Each of the five selected cities brings unique challenges and opportunities. The table below summarizes the key project characteristics and construction applications for each city.
| City | Project Area | Green Infrastructure Focus | Construction Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | South Central Waterfront | Pedestrian and bike connections, stormwater runoff reduction, localized flood mitigation | Permeable pavements, bioretention basins, shaded walkways |
| Carson City, NV | William Street corridor | Former state highway conversion, native plant landscaping, economic vitality | Street narrowing, native xeriscaping, stormwater planters |
| Columbus, OH | Milo-Grogan neighborhood | Stormwater quality improvement, flood risk reduction, active transportation | Rain gardens, bioswales, pedestrian infrastructure |
| Pierre, SD | South Pierre historic main street | Stormwater runoff reduction, extreme climate resilience | Curb extensions, permeable alleys, tree trenches |
| Richmond, VA | Jefferson Avenue corridor | Parks and open spaces, stormwater management, neighborhood gateway | Green streets, community gardens, stormwater wetlands |
Austin: Waterfront Green Infrastructure
The South Central Waterfront area in Austin represents a significant redevelopment opportunity. The design assistance will create options for improving pedestrian and bike connections while incorporating green infrastructure that reduces stormwater runoff and localized flooding. For builders, this means opportunities in permeable paving systems that allow water to infiltrate through paved surfaces, reducing the burden on municipal stormwater systems.
Key construction techniques for this type of project include:
- Permeable interlocking concrete pavers for sidewalks and plaza areas
- Bioretention cells integrated into streetscape designs
- Underground detention systems that store and slowly release stormwater
- Canopy tree planting with structural soil cells to support healthy root growth
Carson City: Highway to Boulevard Conversion
Carson City’s project focuses on William Street, a former state highway that connects to the downtown area. The conversion from high-speed thoroughfare to multi-modal corridor involves narrowing travel lanes, adding native plant landscaping, and incorporating green infrastructure. Native plants in stormwater planters reduce irrigation demands while providing stormwater treatment.
Columbus: Neighborhood Revitalization Through Green Design
The Milo-Grogan neighborhood in Columbus exemplifies how green infrastructure can serve environmental and social goals simultaneously. The design options explore using green infrastructure to improve stormwater quality, reduce flooding risks, and encourage walking and cycling. For builders, this integrated approach demonstrates how site design can address multiple regulatory requirements — water quality, stormwater detention, and pedestrian safety — in a single coordinated solution.
Pierre: Climate Resilience in Extreme Conditions
Pierre’s historic main street redesign must contend with extreme climate conditions including heavy snow, freeze-thaw cycles, and periodic drought. Green infrastructure in cold climates requires careful material selection to ensure freeze-thaw durability, proper drainage to prevent ice formation, and plant species that can survive temperature extremes.
Richmond: Gateway and Open Space Network
Jefferson Avenue serves as the gateway to some of Richmond’s oldest historic neighborhoods. The design assistance focuses on incorporating parks, open spaces, and green infrastructure to better manage stormwater runoff. This project demonstrates how green building certification programs can integrate site sustainability credits into broader neighborhood development strategies.
Construction Best Practices for Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure requires specialized construction techniques that differ from conventional site development. Builders and contractors working on projects with green infrastructure components need to understand the following best practices.
Soil Preparation and Compaction Control
One of the most common failures in green infrastructure construction is excessive soil compaction. Unlike conventional construction where dense compaction is desired for structural support, green infrastructure requires soils that can support plant growth and allow water infiltration.
- Specify loose soil placement with compaction limited to 80 to 85 percent standard Proctor density in planting areas
- Use low-ground-pressure equipment when working near infiltration areas
- Install geotextile separation layers between structural fill and bioretention soil mixes
- Test infiltration rates after construction to verify design performance
Stormwater Planter and Bioswale Construction
Stormwater planters and bioswales are engineered systems that require precise construction sequencing:
- Excavate to design depth, ensuring positive drainage away from building foundations
- Install underdrain system with cleanout access points for maintenance
- Place gravel drainage layer and separate from planting soil with filter fabric
- Install engineered bioretention soil mix meeting specified gradation and organic content
- Plant selected vegetation and apply erosion control blanket
- Install curb cuts or inlet structures to direct runoff into the system
Permeable Pavement Installation
Permeable pavement systems — including porous concrete, permeable asphalt, and interlocking pavers — require careful installation to achieve design permeability and structural performance. The subgrade preparation is critical: the stone reservoir layer must be properly compacted while maintaining void space for water storage. Installation should be sequenced to avoid sediment contamination during construction, as fine particles can clog the system before it is operational.
Material Selection for Long-Term Performance
Selecting durable materials is essential for green infrastructure that performs reliably over decades. Vegetation should be native or adapted species that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions. Structural materials must withstand freeze-thaw cycles, ultraviolet exposure, and chemical stresses from urban runoff.
Lessons for Builders from the EPA Program
The Greening America’s Capitals program offers several lessons that builders can apply to their own projects, regardless of whether they are working in one of the five selected cities.
Integrating Green Infrastructure from the Start
The most cost-effective approach to green infrastructure is to plan for it during the design phase rather than retrofitting it after construction. Builders who incorporate bioretention areas, permeable pavements, and native landscaping into their initial site plans can reduce stormwater management costs while creating more marketable properties.
Navigating Regulatory Requirements
Municipal stormwater regulations are becoming more stringent across the United States. Builders can use tools such as the EPA National Stormwater Calculator to estimate runoff reductions from different green infrastructure strategies during the planning phase. Understanding local requirements for water quality treatment, runoff reduction, and flood control helps builders avoid costly redesigns and permitting delays.
Economic Benefits of Sustainable Site Design
Green infrastructure provides measurable economic returns beyond regulatory compliance. Properties with sustainable site features command higher values, attract environmentally conscious buyers, and often qualify for density bonuses or expedited permitting. The program’s emphasis on neighborhood revitalization demonstrates that green infrastructure can be a catalyst for broader economic development.
Collaboration with Design Professionals
Successful green infrastructure projects require collaboration among civil engineers, landscape architects, architects, and contractors. Builders should engage specialists with green infrastructure experience early in the design process to avoid conflicts between underground utilities, structural elements, and planting areas. This collaborative approach reduces change orders and ensures that constructed systems function as designed.
The EPA’s Greening America’s Capitals program provides a valuable model for how communities can integrate environmental performance with economic development and quality of life improvements. For builders, the program’s approach demonstrates that green infrastructure is not an added cost but a strategic investment in long-term property value, regulatory compliance, and community resilience. As more cities follow the lead of Austin, Carson City, Columbus, Pierre, and Richmond, the construction techniques and best practices developed through these demonstration projects will become standard practice across the residential and commercial building industry.