Seaport Square, a project that aims to transform 20 blocks of the South Boston Waterfront into buildings and parks, is one step closer to fruition. It has just been given a major environmental approval by the state and is now just waiting on other approvals from the local government.

The district where the supposed project is to be erected is currently dominated by parking lots. This is why Environmental Secretary Ian Bowles says that the project just may benefit Boston. The Seaport Square proposal, which is found to be compliant of state environmental regulations, will breathe new life into the place.

Aside from new streets and parks, the Seaport Square will also incorporate sidewalks that will connect the new properties to the waterfront. The proposed buildings will also make use of green rooftops and energy-saving heating plus ventilation equipment. Artificial lighting will also be minimized through use of transparent walls.

Tagged by Bowles as “a new standard for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction”, the project will also benefit the district by making good use of the space between the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the federal courthouse. After completion of the project, Bostonians and visitors can walk along residences, offices, stores, and hotels between the two landmarks.

The project’s developers carry on under the name Seaport Square LLC. Seaport Square LLC includes retail developer W/S Associates and Gale International, Morgan Stanley. They are well-committed to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s goal for transforming the district into an innovation hub that will attract technology and medical firms and that will also provide housing for workers.

More state and local approvals need to be acquired before the Seaport Square project pushes through. The developers, though, expect that one of the proposed residential buildings will start building by next year, 2011.