Where utility-scale solar is HOT!

Source: webweaver.nu

Below are charts showing the rapid growth in utility-scale solar project during the first quarter of 2013 and a comprehensive listing of those states with the most utility-scale solar power generation.The data is from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Megawatts Under Construction

      First Quarter 2013

1.     California – 3,525 megawatts

2.     Arizona – 495

3.     Nevada – 468

4.     Texas – 75

5.     North Carolina – 70

6.     Florida – 40

7.     New Mexico – 30

8.     New Jersey – 25

9.     Idaho – 20

10.  Indiana – 10

Total Existing/Planned/UC

(minimum 40 Megawatts)

1.     California – 19,213 megawatts

2.     Nevada – 5,362

3.     Arizona – 3,111

4.     Florida – 1,140

5.     Texas – 883

6.     New Mexico – 593

7.     North Carolina – 386

8.     Colorado – 377

9.     New Jersey – 288

10.  Utah – 155

11.  Ohio – 104

12.  Idaho – 90

13.  Illinois – 90

14.  Massachusetts – 77

15.  Washington – 75

16.  Hawaii – 72

17.  Maryland -64

18.  Pennsylvania – 58

19.  Indiana – 50

20.  Georgia – 42

Do you…Smart Commute?

Source” midmeac.org

Here in Greater Lansing we are in the midst of day number three of Smart Commute 2013 – a two-week long competition between teams who toss aside the passe’ OPOC (one person one car) mindset and utilize smart/clean/active transportation options for daily trips to work, school, church, shopping, etc. Smart Commute mode options include cycling, walking, carpooling, telecommuting, vanpooling, public transit, kayaking, and other similar modes.

Source: thirdwave-websites.com

Teams can consist of co-workers, classmates, church goers, neighborhoods, friends, and other combinations and tally each smart commute trip (one direction) as one point. The team with the most points by the end of the two weeks wins. But, the longer term goal is to get people out of their cars for more than just two weeks. This benefits their health, their pocketbook, the environment, and reduces congestion on local streets. Sounds like a win-win-win-win situation. That’s better than chances of winning the lottery.

Source: ecovelo.info

Smart Commute was established and is organized by the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Coalition (Mid-MEAC). For more details on Smart Commute, here is a weblink.

An outstanding book – “Nothing But Blue Skies”

Source: andersonsbookshop.com

It is difficult to describe how truly outstanding the book entitled Nothing But Blue Skies: The Heyday, Hard Times, and Hopes of America’s Industrial Heartland is to read. As a nearly lifelong Rust Belt resident, I can attest to the fact that Edward McClelland’s newly released book simply nails our industrial heritage, decline, and hopeful potential squarely on the head. From nationally known politicians like Dennis Kucinich or Coleman Young to the everyday blue-collar laborer toiling in our mills and factories, Mr. McClelland personifies the Rust Belt like no other book I have ever read on the subject. As a Lansing native, he has personally witnessed the dramatic (and sometimes catastrophic) changes just in his lifetime. In Nothing But Blue Skies, Mr. McClelland takes the reader on a quasi-chronological step-by-step sequence of events that shook the Rust Belt down it its very core.

From Buffalo and the loss of its competitive edge with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway to Detroit’s dramatic fall from grace following the 1967 riot, to Cleveland’s multi-decade search for post-Cuyahoga River fire redemption, to Flint, Homestead, Decatur, Syracuse, and other cities. Mr. McClelland whisks the reader through a series of events that spelled the disaster for America’s Industrial Heartland and gave rise to its current moniker of Rust Belt.

Nothing But Blue Skies is a literary triumph that must be read by anyone who has an interest in history, sociology, economics, demographics, geography, politics, planning, environmental protection, and many other topics. Author Edward McClelland takes the best (and worst) of our post-World War II legacy and paints a tapestry of images that is very hard to put down. I guarantee that you will empathize with many of the everyday folks identified in his book, as they are exactly the same as you and I – Rust Belters.

America’s largest indoor performance halls

Elliott Hall of Music – Source: flickr.com

The following list shows the the largest indoor performance halls in the United States (minimum 2,000 seats and collegiate in italics). It does not include other venues like outdoor amphitheaters, or sports facilities like arenas and stadiums. For this Purdue alum and native Hoosier, it’s fun to note that while Purdue does not have a school of music, it does have the nation’s largest venue specifically designed for music and the performing arts – Elliott Hall of Music. It is also interesting to note that the nation’s three largest collegiate performance halls are located in the State of Indiana. 

1. Elliott Hall of Music (Purdue University, IN) – 6,005 (1940)
2. Fox Theater (Detroit, MI) – 5,045 (1925)
3. Performing Arts Center (Saratoga, NY) – 5,000 (1966)
4. Fox Theater (Atlanta, GA) – 4,678 (1929)
5. Masonic Temple Theater (Detroit, MI) – 4,404 (1922)
6. Auditorium Theater (Chicago, IL) – 4,300 (1889)
7. Metropolitan Opera House (New York City, NY) – 3,900 (1966)
8. DAR Concert Hall (Washington, DC) – 3,702 (1929)
9. Auditorium (Indiana University) – 3,700 (1941)
10. Wang Theater (Boston, MA) – 3,700 (1925)
11. Emens Auditorium (Ball State University, IN) – 3,581 (1964)
12. Filene Center (Vienna, VA) – 3,800 (1971)
13. Midland Theater (Kansas City, MO) – 3,573 (1927)
14. Civic Opera House (Chicago, IL) – 3,563 (1929)
15. Hill Auditorium (University of Michigan) – 3,538 (1913)
16. Music Hall (Cincinnati, OH) – 3,516 (1878)
17. Miller Auditorium (Western Michigan University) – 3,497 (1968)
18. Music Hall at Fair Park (Dallas, TX) – 3,420 (1925)
19. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (Los Angeles. CA) – 3,197 (1964)
20. War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco, CA) – 3,146 (1932)
21. Eastman Theater (Rochester, NY) – 3,094 (1922)
22. Terrace Theater (Long Beach, CA) – 3,051 (1978)
23. Civic Auditorium (Pasadena, CA) – 3,029 (1931)
24. Civic Auditorium Concert Hall (San Jose, CA) – 3.001 (1936)
25. Bass Concert Hall (University of Texas) – 3,000 (1981)
26. Birmingham Concert Hall (Birmingham, AL) – 3,000 (1976)
27. Lyric Theater (Kansas City, MO) – 3,000 (1926)
28. Keller Auditorium (Portland, OR) – 2,992 (1917)
29. Segerstrom Hall (Costa Mesa, CA) – 2,936 (1986)
30. Jones Hall (Houston, TX) – 2,912 (1966)
31. Landmark theater (Syracuse, NY) – 2,900 (1928)
32. Academy of Music (Philadelphia, PA) – 2,897 (1857)
33. McCaw Hall (Seattle, WA) – 2,890 (2003)
34. Benedum Center (Pittsburgh, PA) – 2,885 (1928)
35. Kleinhans Music Hall (Buffalo, NY) – 2,839 (1940)
36. Abravanel Hall (Salt Lake City, UT) – 2,811 (1979)
37. Carnegie Hall/Stern Auditorium (New York City, NY) – 2,804 (1891)
38. Saenger Theater (New Orleans, LA) – 2,800 (1927)
39. Mortensen Hall (Hartford CT) 2,799 (1930)
40. Ohio Theater (Columbus, OH) – 2,779 (1921)
41. Center for the Performing Arts (Portland, OR) – 2,776 (1984)
42. Lincoln Center/Koch Theater – New York City, NY) – 2,755 (1964)
43. City Center (New York City, NY) – 2,750 (1941)
44. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center (Atlanta, GA) – 2,750 (2007)
45. Prudential Hall (Newark, NJ) – 2,750 (1997)
46. Stevens Auditorium (Iowa State University) – 2,747 (1969)
47. Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco, CA) – 2,743 (1980)
48. Symphony Hall (Newark, NJ) – 2,743 (1925)
49. Lincoln Center/Fisher Hall (New York City, NY) – 2,738 (1962)
50. Aronoff Center (Cincinnati, OH) – 2,719 (1995)
51. Opera House (Detroit, MI) – 2,700 (1922)
52. Palace (Louisville, KY) – 2,700 (1928)
53. Woosley Hall (Yale University, CT) – 2,695 (1901)
54. Au-rene Theater (Fort Lauderdale, FL) – 2,688 (1991)
55. Powell Symphony Hall (St. Louis, M) – 2,683 (1968)
56. Civic Center (Des Moines, IA) – 2,662 (1979)
57. Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh, PA) – 2,662 (1927)
58. Boettcher Concert Hall (Denver, CO) – 2,634 (1978)
59. Symphony Hall (Boston, MA) – 2,625 (1900)
60. Symphony Hall (Springfield, MA) – 2,611 (1912)
61. Classic Performance Hall (Little Rock, AR) – 2,609 (1940s)
62. Koger Center (Columbia, SC) – 2,556 (1988)
63. Orpheum Theater (Sioux City, IA) – 2,546 (1927)
64. Carr Performing Arts Center (Orlando, FL) – 2,518
65. Warner Theater (Erie, PA) – 2,506 (1976)
66. Benaroya Hall (Seattle, WA) – 2,500 (1998)
67. Chrysler Hall (Norfolk, VA) – 2,500 (1972)
68. Eisenhower Auditorium (Penn State University) – 2,500
69. Hult Center (Eugene, OR) – 2,500 (1982)
70. Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA) – 2,500 (2001)
71. Opera House (Boston, MA) – 2,500 (1928)
72. Orchestra Hall (Chicago, IL) – 2,500 (1904)
73. Orchestra Hall (Minneapolis, MN) – 2,500 (1974)
74. Civic Center Music Hall (Oklahoma City, OK) – 2,481 (1937)
75. Embassy Theater (Fort Wayne, IN) – 2,478 (1928)
76. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (Baltimore, MD) – 2,443 (1982)
77. Kennedy Center Concert Hall (Washington, DC) – 2,442 (1971)
78. Wharton Center (Michigan State University) – 2,421(1982)
79. Whitney Hall (Louisville, KY) – 2,406 (1983)
80. DeVos Performance Hall (Grand Rapids, MI) – 2,404 (2005)
81. Adler Theater (Davenport, IA) – 2,400 (1931)
82. Auditorium (Duluth, MN) – 2,400 (1966)
83. Centennial Hall (University of Arizona) – 2,400 (1936)
84. Coronado Theater (Rockford, IL) – 2,400 (1927)
85. Long Center (Austin, TX) – 2,400 (2008)
86. Music Hall (Kansas City, MO) – 2,400 (1935)
87. Ziff Ballet/Opera House (Miami, FL) – 2,400 (2006)
88. Phoenix Symphony Hall (Phoenix, AZ) – 2,387 (1972)
89. Performing Arts Center (Tulsa, OK) 2,365 (1977)
90. Majestic Theater (San Antonio, TX – 2,311 (1929)
91. Marcus Center (Milwaukee, WI) – 2,305 (1969)
92. Powers Auditorium (Youngstown, OH) – 2,303(1969)
93. Mead Theater (Dayton, OH) – 2,300 (2003)
94. Meymandi Concert Hall (Raleigh, NC) – 2,300 (2001)
95. TCC Music Hall (Tucson, AZ) – 2,289 (1987)
96. Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, CA) – 2,265 (2003)
97. Catrol Morsani Hall (Tampa, FL) – 2,252 (1987)
98. Copley Symphony Hall (San Diego, CA) – 2,252 (1929)
99. Overture Center (Madison, WI) – 2,251 (2004)
100. Civic Center Auditorium (Peoria, IL) – 2,244 (1982)
101. Lied Center (Lincoln, NE) – 2,210 (1990)
102. Fillmore Theater (Detroit, MI) – 2,200 (1925)
103. Knight Concert Hall (Miami, FL) – 2,200 (2006)
104. Winspear Opera House (Dallas, TX) -2,200 (2009)
105. Dreyfoos Concert Hall (West Palm Beach, FL) – 2,193 (1992)
106. Ruth Eckerd Hall (Clearwater, FL) – 2,180 (1983)
107. Concert Hall (Wichita KS) – 2,178 (1969)
108. Clowes Memorial Hall (Butler University, IN) – 2,172 (1963)
109. Kent Concert Hall (Utah State University) – 2,168 (1967)
110. Blaisdell Concert Hall (Honolulu, HA) – 2,158 (1964)
111. Von Braun Concert Hall (Huntsville, AL) – 2,153
112. Colden Auditorium (New York City, NY) – 2,127 (1961)
113. Classic Center (Athens, GA) – 2,122 (1996)
114. Crouse-Hinds Theater (Syracuse, NY) – 2,117 (1975)
115. Gilman Opera House (Brooklyn, NY) – 2,109 (1861)
116. Belk Theater (Charlotte, NC) – 2,100 (1992)
117. Cannon Center (Memphis, TN – 2,100 (2003)
118. Peace Concert Hall (Greenville, SC) – 2,100 (1990)
119. Severance Hall (Cleveland, OH) – 2,100 (1931)
120. Fisher Theater (Detroit, MI) – 2,089 (1927)
121. Krannert Center (University of Illinois) – 2,078 (1927)
122. Meyerson Symphony Center (Dallas, TX) – 2,062 (1989)
123. Bass Performance Hall (Fort Worth, TX) – 2,056 (1998)
124. Reynolds Hall (Las Vegas, NV) – 2,050 (2012)
125. The Whiting (Flint, MI) – 2,043 (1967)
126. Civic Auditorium (Santa Cruz, CA – 2,021 (1940)
127. Weidner Center (Green Bay, WI) – 2,021 (1993)
128. Arlington Center for the Arts (Santa Barbara, CA) – 2,018 (1931)
129. Fisher Music Center (Detroit, MI) – 2,014 (1919)
130. Holland Performing Arts Center (Omaha, NE) – 2,005 (2005)
131. Atwood Concert Hall (Anchorage, AK) – 2,000 (1989)
132. El Pomar Great Hall (Colorado Springs, CO) – 2,000 (1982)

Ten largest collegiate indoor concert halls (from list above)

1.     Elliott Hall of Music (Purdue University, IN) – 6,005 (1940)

2.     Auditorium (Indiana University) – 3,700 (1941)

3.     Emens Auditorium (Ball State University, IN) – 3,581 (1964)

4.     Hill Auditorium (University of Michigan) – 3,538 (1913)

5.     Miller Auditorium (Western Michigan University) – 3,497 (1968)

6.     Bass Concert Hall (University of Texas) – 3,000 (1981)

7.     Stevens Auditorium (Iowa State University) – 2,747 (1969)

8.     Woosley Hall (Yale University, CT) – 2,695 (1901)

9.     Eisenhower Auditorium (Penn State University) – 2,500

10.  Wharton Center (Michigan State University) – 2,421(1982)

Are brewpubs becoming too standardized?

Source: aleheads.com

In a word, yes. I have visited several dozen brewpubs in seven states and am beginning to tire of the same old, same old format of restored historic building, wood floors, big screen TVs, brick walls, lots of noise, standard pub fare, gift shop, and dim lights. Don’t get me wrong – I like most of these individual features, but there has to be a limit on how many places can resemble one another before the general public rebels. I for one, like uniqueness and see standardization as a threat to future growth – no way do I want to see brewpubs become McDonaldized across the landscape. It is the individuality of the craft brewers that sets it apart from the industry giants. When the “theme” gets too standardized (or commonplace), the uniqueness dies and so will the boom in craft brewing.

There is nothing wrong with individual cities having brewpubs that feature some or all of the qualities I listed above, but must nearly every brewpub have the same characteristics?

• Why not one that features art deco or mid-century modern architecture?
• Why not one that is Jetson’s cool futuristic?
• Why not one that is stylistic?
• Why not one that is colonial or Old West?

Must all brewpubs been a carbon copy of one another?  The most impressive brewpubs to me have a subtle theme, but not overly so like a Disney park can be. Both the Mitten Brewing Company (Tigers baseball) and Brewery Vivant (European) in Grand Rapids do a nice job of distinguishing themselves from the pack in this manner.  That said, they still incorporate many of the repetitive characteristics noted in the first paragraph.

Just some words of caution mull over while sipping a tasty pint of summer brew at your local hangout.

Canada’s largest indoor concert halls

Place des Arts – Source: archnewsnow.com

Below is a list the largest indoor concert halls in Canada based on maximum seating, with a 1,500 seat minimum. They do not include outdoor amphitheatres or other venues used for concerts like stadiums and arenas. In parenthesis next to the seating capacity is the year the facility was completed.
-

1. Place des Arts (Montreal, QC) – 2,900 (1963)

2. The Orpheum (Vancouver, BC) – 2,790 (1977)

3. Massey Hall (Toronto, ON) – 2,752 (1894)

4. Thomson Hall (Toronto, ON) – 2,630 (1982)

5. Metropolis (Montreal, QC) – 2,350 (1884)

6. National Arts Centre (Ottawa, ON) – 2,323 (1969)

7. Centennial Concert Hall (Winnipeg, MB) – 2,305 (1968)

8. Armenian Theatre (Kitchener, ON) 2,047 (1980)

9. Conexus Arts Centre (Regina, SK) – 2,031 (1970)

10. TCU Place (Saskatoon, SK – 2,003 (1968)

11. Winspear Centre for Music (Edmonton, AB) – 1,932 (1997)

12. L’Adresse Symphonique (Montreal, QC) – 1,900 (2011)

13. Grand Theatre de Quebec (Quebec City, QC) – 1,875 (1971)

14. EPCOR Centre (Calgary, AB) – 1,800 (1985)

Fusing live art, social equity, and planning

I had the pleasure to attend the Michigan Association of Planning’s (MAP) Spring Institute today (May 23rd). My hat’s off to MAP and its entire staff/directors/committees on a terrific series of programs on social equity.

One of the most unusual and useful aspects about the conference was how live art was actively blended into the program with graphic illustrations of each presentation prepared by Ronna Alexander as the presentation was actually taking place. Her images brought new life and dimension each presentation in a way that many of us had never experienced before, while also pinpointing the key points made by the speakers.

Below are a series of photographs of her amazing work from today’s Spring Institute – posted on this site with her permission. My thanks to Ronna for allowing them to be posted.

Ronna Alexander

Graphic illustration as it is under construction.

 

Let’s go fly a kite!

Source: mackite.com

I had the opportunity to attend the 25^th Annual Great Lakes Kite Festival this past Sunday afternoon (May 19th) on the sandy beaches of Grand Haven, Michigan. The near perfect weather had huge crowds at the beach and many were also enjoying the amazing aerial acrobatics taking place above them. I would highly recommend attending a kite festival near you or if you are in West Michigan, check out future editions of the Great Lakes Kite Festival. Below are a few photos I took at this inspiring and “uplifting’ event. The current header for this blog is also from the festival. Enjoy!

A trip to Oddside Ales

Made a road trip yesterday to Grand Haven that among other things included a short brew respite at Oddside Ales. A quaint and enjoyable microbrewery, Oddside produces quite a range of beers for being a small brewer. I tried out one of their samplers and enjoyed many of the offerings, particularly Raspberry Wheat and Citra Pale Ale. Oddside Ales also has found a unique way to serve and sell their beers – glass mason jars. Nice deal to buy one for your brewpub collection at just $5.00.

Situated in a handsomely renovated piano factory, right in the very heart of vibrant Grand Haven, Michigan, Oddside Ales struck me as a very popular local gathering place for tourists, but particularly local residents. Unlike any other brewpub or microbrewery I have visited, Oddside Ales strongly caters to bringing people together in participatory activities. Aside for the typical weekly trivia contest, Oddside has a dart league with a clearly defined tossing area (no seats in this area), a lounge area for reading and conversation, and what was particularly noticeable – games. While there, I observed groups planning both Jinga and Apples to Apples. Checkers appeared to be another popular pastime.

While food, other than popcorn, peanuts, or kettle chips, is not available, guests are welcome to bring a meal with them while enjoying the favorite brews. Next time you are headed to the sandy beaches of Grand Haven, try stopping by Oddside Ales for some fun, games, and flavorful brews.

Ecomodal transportation hubs

San Francisco’s Transbay Terminal (2015) – Source: urbika.com

This post summarizes several ideas that could be employed to facilitate the establishment of sustainable transportation hubs where intermodal cross-movement between multiple green (or active) transportation options takes place with ease. In a nutshell, these facilities are described by using the term “Ecomodal Hub.”  Strategically placed on a brownfield, adaptable, or vacant site within the urban area, it is believed such hubs would establish the necessary infrastructure and coordination to accelerate the conversion of more commuters from single-occupant automobiles to clean and green commuting alternatives.

At the heart of the Ecomodal Hub would be a solar-powered and/or green-roofed hub station for commuters/travelers who are transferring between transportation options to wait and relax in a safe, environmentally efficient, and sheltered environment. Most Ecomodal Hubs would not need to be as enormous or complex as San Francisco’s  Transbay Terminal which is shown in the photo above. Much smaller and less expensive and less complex versions could be developed in cities of varying size. In some instances a vacant parcel or parking lot could easily be transformed into an Ecomodal Hub given the right parameters.

The building’s interior would have appropriate conveniences such as seating, free wi-fi and computer/laptop recharging sites, restrooms, changing/shower facilities, ATM, coffee shop/snack bar/newsstand, storage lockers, security, ticket terminals, intermodal arrival/departure display monitors, and similar resources. Outside of the hub station would be a solar-lighted/heated transit/intercity bus shelter for each direction of the adjacent route(s); a minimum of six sheltered solar-powered EV charging/plug-in stations; sheltered bicycle parking racks; a quick-fix bicycle service station; a taxicab stand; and a minimum of 50 carpool/vanpool parking spaces.

Alternative energy vehicles shall be given priority parking locations along with those for the disabled nearest the hub station. Throughout the site, appropriate and native landscaping would be utilized for cooling/shade in the summer months and to deflect winter winds whenever practical. Recycling and waste containers will be located throughout the interior and exterior of the site and all exterior lighting would be solar-powered, as well. Gray water from the hub station will be used for the trees and plantings.

For those cities fortunate enough to have commuter rail or light rail, every attempt should be made to link the Ecomodal Hub to a railroad passenger station. Otherwise, it should be situated in close proximity. Ecomodal Hubs should also be located adjacent to or very close to important transit routes and major bicycle commuting corridors/trails.

Any other thoughts and ideas on this topic are most welcome. Thanks!