what is green?

Good News. Some in Tampa city council are pushing to add incentives for builders to build green. Along with increased density and quicker permitting times, part of the incentive is reduced permit and impact fees.
Now the bad news.
Unfortunately, that same council member is trying to halt the construction of the downtown park next to the new TMA.
The reasons for halting the construction are the same as any other time. Money. (Sidenote; this story reminds me a lot of the TMA story about 2 years ago. 3 million already spent, but let's stop and build it later when costs are expected to increase.)
The park is seen by many, including the mayor, as a catalyst to urban renewal and therefore less spawl, commuters, etc. So wouldn't building the park be considered green as well?
So, which is the better way of "being green?" Giving "breaks" to developers to build green, or using existing funds to create a public ammenity and encourage people to move back into the city? Ideally one council member would believe that BOTH are in fact "green."