NCCLF's 2012 Annual Report - Northern California Community ...

The San Jose Environmental Innovation
Center (SJEIC) began as just a household
hazardous waste drop-off site, but has grown
into an ambitious and innovative multi-service
facility that will eventually host the Clean
Technology Demonstration Center (CTDC), a
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and a green jobs
training center. The surrounding low-income
neighborhood will be revitalized by an “urban
village” and a rapid transit hub.
“NCCLF was recommended because of their
previous experience with New Market Tax Credits.”
The SJEIC will feature a sustainable and
environmentally friendly design, earning LEED
gold certification. The Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory, a leader in research on
clean, sustainable energy, will be a partner at
CTDC. The Center also helps the city meet
its Green Vision goals, a fifteen-year plan to
make San Jose a world center of “clean tech”
innovation and environmental stewardship.
“We approached the graduate students enrolled
at San Jose State University’s Department of
Urban & Regional Planning to develop a master
plan for an Urban EcoPark,” explains Jo Zientek,
Deputy Director for the city’s Environmental
Services Department. “The plan they produced
was so innovative, it received the Neighborhood
Planning Award from the California Chapter of
the American Planning Association.”
NCCLF’s $10 million allocation in New Market
Tax Credits (NMTCs) was combined with
allocations from two other partners to finance the
$31 million project. “NCCLF was recommended
because of their previous experience with
NMTCs; they were an obvious partner in the
development of the Center,” says Ms. Zientek.
The San Jose Environmental Innovation Center
is expected to be finished in early 2014. This
groundbreaking project will help spur the local
economy, develop clean technologies, and
revitalize the surrounding communities.
Cover photo: The San Jose Environmental Innovation
Center under construction. (Photo by Julio Martinez)