Officials gathered this week to speak about a new bill that is a tool to help balance economic development, sustainable development and community planning.

U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter, D-Lakewood, spoke about the Livable Communities Act of 2010 Tuesday, March 30, at the construction site of the St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood.

The bill, which has 24 co-sponsors so far, offers two grant programs for communities around the nation to make their towns more affordable places to live and work.

The program will be administered by the Department of Housing and Development Department, with ties to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“This is a holistic approach to the development of our cities,” Perlmutter said.

The Lakewood location was chosen because Perlmutter said the work that has been under way in the city, including FasTracks and the hospital construction, emulates the movement his bill aims to create.

Along with Perlmutter, Lakewood Mayor Bob Murphy, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer described how they believe their cities helped shaped the legislation.

“We have a great story to tell. We are a great example of a livable community,” Murphy said.

In addition to St. Anthony’s and light rail, Murphy said the Belmar shopping center and other projects that have helped shapes Lakewood’s identity through the past few years.

“This bill revitalizes main street and promotes economic development and job growth in our neighborhoods by helping communities cut traffic congestion, promote energy efficiency, create more affordable housing and protect open spaces,” Perlmutter said.

Two monetary incentives are built into the bill to promote livable cities. The act authorizes $400 million in competitive money through the next four years to help rural and metro communities develop comprehensive regional plans.

Those applying must demonstrate their commitment to integrated planning and sustainable development, Perlmutter said.

The other grant authorizes $3.75 billion for a competitive grant through the next three years for communities that already have a plan in place and are able to implement crosscutting projects that coincide with their regional comprehensive plan.

The bill ensures the federal government will be a supportive partner for communities’ planning and enables additional assistance to smaller communities needing more help to get started, Perlmutter said.

St. Anthony’s Hospital was an example used by almost all the politicians who spoke at the gathering.

Hickenlooper said when he heard the hospital would be leaving Denver, some came to him to stop it, but he knew it would be a necessary loss in order to better the goal of thriving communities.

The bill was introduced by Perlmutter in February, and he said he sees little, if any, opposition to the act.