Sustainability in Indianapolis

Melody Park, DirectorCity of Indianapolis –Office of Sustainability

What on Earth is The Office of Sustainability?

Office of Sustainability is aprofessional office created by

MayorBallard to be the driving force

behindSustainIndy.

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Main Charges of Office of Sustainability• Lead sustainability efforts within city government • Coordinate and collaborate on community sustainability goals -

including acting as primary liaison to the City of Indianapolis Green Commission, and

• Establish public-private partnership opportunities to move forward aggressively on achieving the vision of a more sustainable Indianapolis

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What is Sustainability?

Three Pillars• Environment

– Best practices to create healthy environment

• Economic– Promote strong economic development

• Social– Well being of the people

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What is the City’s Effort on Sustainability?

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• The City is evaluating and quantifying the sustainability efforts so that we can improve on livability

Natural Systems

Current Priorities• Enhance our tree canopy• Preserve and expand our

natural areas• Improve outdoor air quality• Improve water quality and

secure water supply

Natural SystemsPrograms

• Make Change Indy – Water Currency Program– Make Change is a pilot program

for alternative currency in the Mid-North Neighborhood of Indianapolis. If you do something good for water you get Water Currency Coins that you can spend at local businesses for their products.

• CSO – Controlling infiltration

Economy & Jobs

Current Priorities • Target and seek out

opportunities for business retention and development

• Ensure a robust local economy with quality jobs and living wages to promote self-reliant community with a high standard of living

• Increase the post-secondary education attainment and improve outcomes of workforce and deployment programs

Built Environment

Current Priorities • Maintain affordable housing

options for all residents • Develop or redevelop vacant

or underutilized areas in the city

• Enhance public spaces• Expand transportation

options

Built EnvironmentDevelopment

• Market Square Arena Development

• Lugar Tower• CityWay

Built EnvironmentBikeway and Trail Projects

• 71st St. Bikeway – Under construction• Fall Creek Trail – Monon Trail to Central Ave. – Under construction• South White River Greenway – Under construction• Eagle Creek Greenway – Currently being designed• 46th St / Mitthoeffer Bikeways – Design 2014/2015• Southeastern Ave. / Prospect – Design 2014/2015• Airport / Raymond St. Bikeways – Design 2014/2015• Pennsy Greenway / German Church Rd. – Currently acquiring land• Pogues Run Greenway – Currently being designed

Built EnvironmentNear-Eastside Neighborhood Sweeps

• Conducts home energy audits in the near-east side neighborhood of Indianapolis

• Homes receive targeted energy-efficiency upgrades, including air sealing and attic insulation.

Built EnvironmentEcohouse Loan Program

• Offers qualified applicants up to $15,000 for home upgrades– Free home energy audit that helps

identify and prioritize upgrade choices.– Referrals to licensed trusted

contractors and project managers.– Discounts on Energy Star appliances.– Long-term money savings and improved

comfort.– Up to $3,000 in matching incentives.

Climate & Energy

Current Priorities • Reduce greenhouse gas

emissions• Diversify and green our

energy supply • Increase efficiency of city

buildings and infrastructure• Encourage green building• Decrease overall waste and

encourage recycling

Climate & EnergyPrograms

• Car sharing– $35 million all-electric vehicle system– 500 cars– 200 rental stations– 1200 charging stations

• Bike sharing– $1 million

• City-County Building LEED Certification– Implementing prerequisites for the LEED

certification process.

• Greening America’s Capitals– A design workshop was held March 19-21

to incorporate green design features into the east plaza of City Market and south plaza of CCB.

Education, Arts & Community Current Priorities • Improve and increase high-

quality education options for all residents

• Broaden the range of arts and culture resources

• Create opportunities for community interaction and community building opportunities

• Share information about community issues and services

• Celebrate diversity in our community

Education, Arts & CommunityArt Council Grant • $1 million grant funded by

the City of Indianapolis & Capital Improvement Board– Enables arts organizations to

provide arts programming and educational opportunities

– Promote Indianapolis as a cultural destination

– Enhance economic development– Build the capacity and stability

of Indianapolis’ arts and cultural organizations

– Share arts programs and activities with underserved audiences

Heath & Safety

Current Priorities• Encourage active lifestyles • Promote nutritious eating

and local food production• Improve emergency

prevention and response• Reduce natural and human

hazards

Heath & SafetyIndy Food Fund

The Indy Food Fund has announced its first-ever grant awards totaling $49,450 to eleven organizations undertaking transformative food projects across Marion County.• Improve access to healthy food for

Indianapolis residents• Spur economic development and

create jobs• Create a sense of place, foster civic

engagement, and beautify our neighborhoods

• Increase the amount and demand for food grown locally

• Create a sustainable metropolitan area

Heath & SafetyThe Indy Public Safety Foundation was created with the goal of becoming a support system for the police and fire departments and the city’s EMS and emergency communications agencies.

• Business and community leaders volunteering their expertise

• Money raised will support extra training, additional equipment and youth leagues

Equity & Empowerment

Current Priorities • Encourage civic engagement

and participation in local decision-making

• Reduce environmental and health hazards

• Enhance access to foundational community assets

• Ensure human services program are available to guarantee basic needs

Equity & EmpowermentNew Wishard Hospital

• Indiana’s Largest Public Health System• Will rank among the most advanced hospital in energy

efficiency and environmental design in the US• 85% of Marion County voters approved construction of the

new Wishard Hospital• Wishard handles more than 1.2 million outpatient visits

annually

Equity & Empowerment Indianapolis Cultural Trail

• 8.0 mile trail that serves as the hub for the City’s greenway and trail system

• Estimated economic impact $864.5 million, estimated jobs created 11,372(based on study by the Indiana University Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, 2008)

• No local tax money used for this project

Equity & Empowerment City’s Minority, Women, Veteran and Disability Business Enterprise Program

• Promotes meaningful business opportunities• Builds productive partnerships• Creates successful integration of M/W/V/DBE firms

within the business infrastructure of the City of Indianapolis

Thank you!