CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS
10/14/2011
INDIANAPOLIS –The City of Indianapolis recently received top honors for action steps taken to improve the environment. DPW Director David Sherman was recognized among the nation’s top public works professionals in the American Public Works Association (APWA) and the City’s Office of Sustainability was honored at the Upper White River Watershed Alliance,Watershed Stewardship Celebration.
“Our efforts to create a more sustainable city for our residents of today and for future generations are having an immediate impact contributing significantly to lasting environmental,economic and community vitality in Indianapolis – ultimately creating safer streets,cleaner water and improved quality of life,” said Mayor Greg Ballard.
Director Sherman received the 2011 Charles Walter Nichols Award for Environmental Excellence at the annual APWA International Public Works Congress &Exposition. The honor acknowledged the City’s successful modifications to the Combined Sewer Overflow Consent Decree and negotiations with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) in 2010. The amendments will allow the City to divert 3.5 billion gallons of sewage from polluting local waterways ahead of schedule,provide a more integrated citywide tunnel system and save Indianapolis residents $740 million.
The Office of Sustainability and Indy-east Asset Development accepted the Upper White River Watershed Alliance Excellence in Sustainable Design or Construction Award for the St. Claire Place urban revitalization project. The project will incorporate rain gardens,porous pavement alleys and native tree plantings in St. Clair Place to reduce flooding,improve storm water quality and air quality. Directional lighting also will be installed to reduce light pollution and decrease maintenance costs. The St. Clair project will be completed in 2011 for a construction cost of $3.8 million. The Office of Sustainability also received honorable mentions for the Ohio Street green infrastructure project and the Sustainable Facilities Initiative.
For more information on the City’s sustainable and infrastructure programs,visit www.indy.gov/RebuildIndy.
