With the region’s population projected to grow by over one million people between 2005 and 2030, these aspects of infrastructure require regionwide cooperation to finance and construct:
Civic buildings and facilities Plazas, streetscapes, and civic structures are types of infrastructure vital to downtown redevelopment efforts.
Energy Based on existing trends, the region will require two to three new 400-megawatt power plants by 2035. However, technological advances are likely to change energy supply and infrastructure needs in unknown ways. Continued efforts to manage demand can reduce projected needs. The most prominent challenge for energy providers is coordinating with other service providers (transportation in particular) in the planning and installation of infrastructure.
Parks and open spaces Availability and cost of land are the most significant challenges to ensuring adequate parks and open spaces. As urban communities increase in density, park space becomes more necessary and more expensive. To accommodate projected growth, the region will likely need 5,000 acres of new urban park space and 8,000 acres of open space along with funding for maintenance and operations.
Sanitary sewer No reliable funding stream exists for construction and maintenance of sanitary sewer infrastructure, which is more than 100 years old in some areas. Because new infrastructure cannot be added incrementally in a cost-effective manner, communities face the significant challenge of securing upfront capital. Collaboration and consolidation may provide service and cost efficiencies but are extremely challenging to realize.
Stormwater management Many of the region's systems are aging. More rigorous permitting requirements regarding treatment and discharge mean significant new compliance costs. Stormwater facilities are most effective at a local (watershed) level, and existing systems have little to no excess capacity.
Schools Some areas have unused facilities while newly urbanizing areas lack sufficient schools. As land values increase, siting schools on land near population centers becomes increasingly difficult.
Transportation Transportation costs are the largest portion of unmet infrastructure needs. In urbanizing areas, developments on relatively flat land and close to existing transportation facilities have the greatest return on investment. Transportation infrastructure is the most critical investment to accommodate rapid growth in newly urbanizing areas.
Water While conservation efforts have reduced per-capita demand, projected demand will exceed regional supplies. Water sources exist, but source development and transmission of water to new users will be challenging. Upfront capital represents the largest hurdle to meeting new capacity demands.