This is the water treatment plan in Hamden, Connecticut, which is the result of the collaboration of the community and the architect. The architect, Steve Holl has achieved putting 90%of this water treatment plan underground. The total cost was $60,000,000. Dedicated two years ago this is a shining example of the mundane elevated to the art form. It is an act of urbanism which engages the community of Edgerton Park and the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority. One thousand notices were mailed to residents, and design, construction and environmental committees were formed. Many of the residents, like my friend Gene Festa, are associated with Yale University took part in this effort. "It was an opportunity to make a statement about infrastructure that could simply not be a blot on the landscape but a contribute to it" said Mr. Festa. More governments need to step out like this.

In my own City of Virginia Beach, The new convention center does this same thing-set ahead of the needs of the population.