Since much of the project area still uses septic systems and has inadequate stormwater infrastructure, there is an opportunity for innovative "green" sewers and stormwater systems that can become a model for the region. These new technologies, linked to good urban design, canreshape the face of the community.

A number of new technologies are relevant to the 79th Street target area, some of which have already been proposed for the adjacent Hialeah. They include:

*-- Redesigning streets and street median strips to serve as stormwater retention areas,

*-- Utilizing undeveloped land for engineered wetlands and holding ponds for stormwater retention, and

*-- Biological treatment of sewage in greenhouses.

These technologies would simultaneously green the community with trees and vegetation and create open space and recreation areas.

Action 7: Inventory the Water and Sewer Infrastructure System in the Target Area.

The project will develop a detailed map of the community's water and sewer infrastructure and use that inventory to evaluate and scale the needs for new infrastructure.

Action 8: Inventory Alternative Design and Technology Options for Green Stormwater and Sewer Infrastructure.

This research effort will identify all of the green options for stormwater and sewer infrastructure relevant for the community so that the community would have the greatest possible range of options.

Action 9: Evaluate Financing Options for New Infrastructure.

Using the options described in Section V below, the project will develop alternative financing scenarios for these technological options.DensityAction 10: Develop an Infrastructure Strategy.

The results of Actions 10, 11 and 12 will inform the development of a 79th Street Corridor Infrastructure Strategy that will be incorporated in the overall Sustainable Development Plan.

B. Transportation

While the target area's transportation access to Miami-Dade County and the three-county area is good, the challenge is intra-community mobility. Some residents, particularly seniors and youth, cannot drive, so such a community-centered transportation strategy is essential. For others, efficient intra-community mobility could make the difference in being able to live a full life without owning a car.

There are at least three elements of a community mobility strategy:

*-- Sidewalks: Good quality sidewalks throughout the community,

*-- Strong pedestrian linkages: A community design which encourages and enhances pedestrian access to jobs and amenities, and

*-- Jitneys: An intra-community transportation system that links with public transit, shopping, etc.

Action 11: Develop an Intra-Community Mobility Strategy.

Inventory existing intra-community transportation assets and identify barriers to mobility; then explore and evaluate a range of options to enhance intra-community mobility.

C Energy

Decreasing energy demand and increasing energy reliability should be two goals of the 79th Street Corridor Sustainable Development Strategy. This can be accomplished through a number of initiatives including:

*-- Micro-Grid Analysis: Evaluation of the electricity distribution system in the target area to identify potential peak loading problems and demand reduction opportunities to decrease peak loads, improve system reliability, and strengthen the neighborhood economy.

*-- Solar Energy: Evaluation of the potential for solar energy in the community, including the retrofit of existing structures and the incorporation of state-of-the-art solar technology into new housing and commercial development.

Action 12: Develop an Energy Conservation and Reliability Strategy.

The project will model energy use in the target area and explore a range of approaches to decrease energy use, decrease energy costs, and increase energy reliability.

D. Telecommunications

More and more economic transactions are handled electronically, requiring access to high speed fiber optic transmission lines. Communities that can tap in this transmission network will experience a much wider range of jobs and economic development options than those that do not.

The 79th Street Corridor should be able to take advantage of the railroad and transit rights-of-way to gain fiber optic access. With this technology serving the neighborhood, a reservation center serving the port, for example, could be located at the Amtrak site, which is adjacent to these rights-of-way.

Action 13: Evaluate Access to Fiber Optic Telecommunications Transmission Lines and Development Opportunities that are Fiber Optic-dependent.

The project needs to assess the state of fiber optic technology in South Florida and its relationship to the 79th Street target area. It also needs to evaluate the extent to which telecommunications-related industry is locating in South Florida and what it would take to make it a component of the 79th Street development strategy