The South Capitol area of Lincoln, Nebraska has the key ingredients of a walkable neighborhood. It is an historic area close to downtown with mature trees, well-maintained housing, mixed land use along major streets, a school, and local small businesses. This area provides an opportunity to model environmentally friendly streetscapes that treat every drop of rainwater as a precious resource and provide greater transportation options.

BNIM and Vireo collaborated with EPA Greening America’s Capitals program and with local residents, business owners, students, and city Urban Development Department staff to develop an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable vision for the South Capitol area. The vision proposes increasing safety and comfort for pedestrians, improving streets and parking for bicycles and cars, creating outdoor gathering spaces, infiltrating rainwater, and increasing opportunities for small business. Together, these improvements will not only improve the aesthetic appearance of the area but will also increase the environmental performance and development potential.

Lincoln, Nebraska
13-block area
Completion: April 2012
In collaboration with Vireo

Through a three-day charrette process, the stakeholders, including the mayor, city department directors, Urban Development staff, business and property owners from the area, students, teachers, and members of the public at-large established a vision for the future of this area: Build upon the rich identity of the South Capital area by increasing safety, promoting history, art, and education, reinvesting in housing and small business, and improving the streets and sidewalks to have more environmental benefits.

The goals that emerged from the charrette to support this vision are:
1. Ensure a safe and secure neighborhood
2. Support neighborhood identity and diversity through all improvements to the public realm
3. Engage the area community in the design process
4. Design streets that support safe walking and biking
5. Create new opportunities for reinvestment with area property owners
6. Stimulate healthy choices through increased pedestrian connectivity, healthy food options, and environmentally friendly public projects
7. Bolster the community arts, culture, and education opportunities through partnerships and hands-on projects

The Greening America's Capitals - Lincoln, Nebraska planning document outlines the vision for the South Capital area, strategies to achieve the vision, and a phased implementation approach. The project team developed the design options in the document based on the input received during the community charrettes.

Click here to view the Greening America's Capitals - Lincoln, Nebraska plan document.