2017-07-05 ClimateAwards2017Winners

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Honorable Mentions - Small City University City Mayor Shelley Welsch Sustainability Initiatives in the Delmar Loop Commercial District This project has focused on sustainability initiatives in the Delmar Loop commercial district by engaging community members and local businesses. The Loop is a regional icon — a premiere dining, entertainment, retail district that was named one of Ten Great Streets in America by the American Planning Association. It is home to a wealth of diverse, locally -owned businesses, and multi -generational resi-dential areas. In addition, the Loop intersects the Great Rivers Greenway regional bike network. Therefore, it is an ideal place to teach the St. Louis region about the environmental, eco-nomic, and social benefits of sustainability initiatives. In 2015, University City was awarded a grant to expand commercial recycling for Delmar Loop businesses. In one year, the Loop grew from five to over 60 businesses recy-cling (representing 66 percent of the Loop businesses). Pedes-trian waste receptacles were upgraded from "trash -only" to containers accommodating trash and recyclables with recycling education displays. These efforts decrease waste sent to our regional landfills and supports University City's Solid Waste program. The city worked with restaurants in the Loop and St. Louis Earth Day's Green Dining Alliance to achieve the Green Dining District designation by: banning Styrofoam; implement-ing recycling; phasing in energy- efficient lighting; and setting waste -reduction goals; and other actions. Business owners are working to become the first Green Business District through the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. University City is working with St. Louis and the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District to bring trolleys back to our region - transportation from the past now recognized as a sustainable option for today. This 2.2 -mile system links the Delmar Loop to historic Forest Park in St. Louis, along a revitalized residential and retail area, while providing connections to Metro trains and buses. The trolley is scheduled to begin service this summer. All three city -owned parking lots in the Loop include permeable pavement installations to reduce flooding and pollu- tion associated with St. Louis's frequent storm water surges. Loop roadway and parking lot lights have been retrofitted with LED lighting, and pedestrian lighting is currently being upgrad- ed to LED. Lastly, University City worked closely with Washing- ton University during construction of a LEED Platinum building complex on the Loop. This building includes student housing, an international grocery store, and a diner. The largest challenge was organizing community members to most effectively implement the Loop projects. A Recycling Task Force was developed to oversee and many of the Loop's sustain- able projects and city staff worked closely with business owners. In addition, major budget constraints were overcome with federal and state grants, as well as local developers and institution support. Greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by — • 70 percent in lighting by replacing inefficient lighting with LEDs; • 50 percent reduction from streamlining solid waste haulers; and • The Loop trolley is anticipated to further reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector. The community came together in making our 1920s -era down- town district a model for present-day sustainable living. The initiatives were collaboratively developed between the Public Works Department, the Green Practices Commission, St. Louis Earth Day, business owners, and community members. This work was envisioned, designed and funded through the robust support of Mayor Shelley Welsch. The Loop projects demonstrate how a local municipality can reap environmental, financial, and social benefits from collaborative sustainability initiatives. The program was financed by — • A $25 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration for the trolley as part of its Urban Circulator Grant Program (funding for the full $51 million project budget was also obtained from other federal agencies and St. Louis -area entities); • A $50,000 grant from the Department of Public Health to expand commercial recycling, with the city matching the funding at 100 percent; and • City funding commitments of $65,000 for LED lighting and $321,000 for the permeable pavement parking lots. Reducing the amount of private haulers picking up business's solid waste improves the Loop's air quality, traffic, noise, and road conditions. The trolley will increase tourism and mobility in the Loop, increasing business for the shops and improving shopper's experience. In addition, the emphasis of recycling education for pedestrians reduces littering.