ASC's Intersections Newsletter — July 25, 2025
Nora’s Note
A Waterfront Park Reopens. Wagner Park will reopen next week at Battery Park City, culminating years of collaboration among community residents, Battery Park City Authority, Community Board 1, public agencies, and other stakeholders to protect Lower Manhattan from storm surge and sea level rise while retaining beloved urban parkland. A week of public programming will launch the season opening at the Park, giving everyone a chance to enjoy new landscapes, facilities, views, and access. The ASC team has been proud to have supported the Battery Park City Authority’s South, North, and North/West Resiliency Projects with community and local stakeholder engagement work to advance development of a community-based plan for coastal resilience.
Transportation
New zero-emission buses bound for Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai’i island. As part of Hawai’i’s push toward a 100% renewable energy-powered public transit system by 2035, Hawai’i Department of Transportation announced this $16.6 million investment, with the support of federal funding and other contributions, will replace aging diesel buses. This switch will cut an estimated 17.34 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions over their lifespans. Read more about the initiative prioritizing cleaner air in residential, rural, and school zones, while additionally supporting long-term cost savings, energy, resilience, and improved ride quality. (Source: Hawaii.Gov)
AMNY: Subway safety upgrade: These 56 NYC stations now have platform barriers installed – with more on the way
Mass Transit Magazine: Pace Board approves purchase of additional battery-electric buses, solidifies expanded pilot routes
The Denver Gazette: ‘Someone Needs You’: Department of Transportation launches new seat belt campaign
Climate
Massachusetts test shows big savings from free heat pumps and solar. Over 50 lower-income households in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard have seen their monthly electricity bills cut by over 50% thanks to a home electrification and solar pilot program. Launched in 2024, the Cape and Vineyard Electrification Offering provided participating households across Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard with solar panels and heat pumps at no or low cost to incentivize renewable energy. Read more about the success of the pilot and how it will inform future energy electrification plans. (Source: Canary Media)
Grist: Inside the movement to recognize nature as an artist
Happy Eco News: Oregon Solar Plus
Inside Climate News: Consumers (and a utility) get a win in Ohio, while data centers take the loss
Economic Development
Office-to-apartment conversions could mean 17,000 new housing units in NYC, says new report. A report from NYC Comptroller Brad Lander highlights the city’s growing trend of converting underused office buildings into housing. With 44 projects completed, underway, or proposed—including the transformation of JPMorgan Chase’s former headquarters and Goldman Sachs’ onetime offices —up to 17,400 new units could ease NYC’s housing crunch. A new tax incentive is accelerating the shift, though not without controversy over lost tax revenue and altnernative uses. Read more about this housing solution. (Source: Time Out)
Smart Cities Dive: Chicago unveils $650M stadium plan key to neighborhood redevelopment
Vineyard Gazette: 60-unit affordable housing project breaks ground in Oak Bluffs
Insight News: Governor Walz announces $33M for small businesses
Digital
AI inferencing is growing in importance—and RAG is fueling its rise. AI inferencing, the run‑time execution of trained models, is now central to how AI delivers real‑time value, and retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) is a key catalyst. RAG enhances accuracy by grounding outputs in external data sources, significantly cutting hallucinations and boosting trust. Read more to learn how RAG powers accuracy gains, explore its technical benefits, and understand its role in today’s AI chips and infrastructure. (Source: Forbes)
GovTech: With less federal support, states look to lead in cyber
Route Fifty: Idaho approves $15M grant to upgrade emergency response system to Next Generation 911
The Verge: Why AI is moving from chatbots to the browser
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