Atlantic Wharf, a mixed-use development scheduled to include a waterfront plaza, 30,000 square feet (2,787 sq m) of retail and public spaces, and a 31-story, 750,000-square-foot (69,677-sq-m) Class A office tower, is taking shape in the capital of Massachusetts. And in strong markets around the New York metropolitan area, retail development appears to be a bright spot. In neighboring Connecticut, the single-family home sector is expected to strengthen this year, and the office market in northern New Jersey is starting to gain traction.

With U.S. cities increasingly strapped for cash, it comes as no surprise that community benefit districts (CBDs) are gaining in popularity. But will CBDs redefine America’s cities of the future? A growing number of property owners think so.

Community benefit districts (CBDs) were first developed in Maryland during the 1980s, but business improvement districts (BIDs) date back to the early 1970s in the Canadian city of Toronto.

Ten renovation and retrofit projects transform existing buildings into showcases for sustainable strategies.