Lies in Wise Government Planning and Spending
Blanchard said Sugar Mill Pond, an
ongoing phased development presented a unique opportunity to control nature
with flooding, not over-engineered culverts.
The Youngsville, La., development
currently has 400 houses, townhouses and cottages; 187 apartments; and about
200,000 square feet of commercial-retail built around a large lake.
The compact
TND emphasizes walking and biking to all amenities and services. “We have a big
phase coming up and the engineers said we have to put a lot of infrastructure
in (to control flooding),” he said.
“We’re building a giant linear park — with
walking trails, covered walkways, kayaking and other amenities bounded by boulevards.”
When built out, it will connect to another 200 acres of development. Its
primary purpose is water retention and detention, but it also provides active
recreation.
“I could convey that amount of water with two 72-inch pipes, but
how do I market the lots that are next to the pipes?” Blanchard said.
“But
create an amenity, that also mitigates flooding, and people want to live along
that.” Blanchard said he learned, as a public servant, that cities can no
longer ignore natural flood plains and try to engineer everything like it’s
“man vs. nature.”
“You have to think about how does this sustain itself over
the long term — how do I build a neighborhood that 80 years from now still
looks like it belongs, still has great bones?” he said.
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