25 North American Parking Facilities Recognized for Sustainability Efforts
The Green Parking Council (GPC) today recognizes twenty-five forward-looking parking facilities across the continent whose operators have committed to environmentally-responsible technologies and practices. These GPC Demonstrator Sites are the leading edge of an industry-wide campaign establishing open-source sustainability standards and challenging the parking industry to meet these standards.
Hartford, CT, December 13, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Green Parking Council (GPC) today recognizes twenty-five forward-looking parking facilities across the continent whose operators have committed to environmentally-responsible technologies and practices. These GPC Demonstrator Sites are the leading edge of an industry-wide campaign establishing open-source sustainability standards and challenging the parking industry to meet these standards.
“GPC Demonstrator Sites begin the transformation of traditional parking facilities to certified green garages through the adoption of energy efficient lighting systems, electric vehicle charging stations, alternative fuel vehicle fleets, recycling programs, car sharing programs and other progressive practices,” explained Paul Wessel, Executive Director of the GPC. “The owners and operators of these twenty-five facilities are leading this collaboration of the parking, green building, clean technology, renewable energy, smart grid infrastructure, urban planning and sustainable mobility worlds.”
Spanning the continent from Texas to Alberta, Canada, from California to Massachusetts, these sites represent a commitment by visionary, forward-thinking parking industry leaders to leverage their operations, partnerships, creativity and ingenuity to shift the transportation eco-system towards greener practices and long-term sustainability.
“The Green Parking Council’s certification program for parking facilities was given increased importance this year with the decision by the U.S. Green Building Council to cease granting LEED certification to parking garages,” explained, Gary Cudney, President & CEO at Carl Walker, Inc., a GPC Launch Partner. “The GPC Green Garage program is now the only recognized sustainability standard for new and existing parking facilities. We are honored and enthused by the broad participation in the Demonstrator Site program and the buzz it has created throughout the parking and planning communities.”
“All of these sites demonstrate how parking is part of the solution to creating a more sustainable environment,” added Constance Keedle, Administrative Director of the GPC. “Each site has its own unique story and shows the opportunity ahead for all of us.” A glimpse of three sites illustrates the point:
Garage at Post Office Square (Boston, MA): The 1.7 acre Norman B. Leventhal Park is actually the extraordinary green roof of Garage at Post Office Square, a 1400-space parking site in Boston, MA. Developed by a public-private partnership and managed by Ameripark, the site is celebrated by Project for Public Spaces as one of “the best squares and plazas in the world.” Below ground, the garage’s fluorescent lighting fixtures are controlled by a building technology system lowering the energy consumption of the facility. Water consumption is reduced with motion-activated low-flow water fixtures. Signage and an automated payment system increase traffic flow and eliminate fuel waste while vehicles are idling. Small vehicle parking spaces and electric vehicle charging stations promote the use of more efficient vehicles, while car-sharing is encouraged with reserved spaces. In response to rising demand, bicycle racks were installed in the park last spring.
Canopy Airport Parking (Denver, CO Airport): Located in Commerce City, Colorado, Canopy is a 4200-space parking facility deploying a wide range of sustainable technologies and programs. Propark America’s garage has installed six electric vehicle charging stations available for free use by Canopy’s customers. Renewable energy powers between 37 to 40% of Canopy’s needs, including a geothermal heating and cooling exchange system as well as a water efficiency system. In addition, facility management purchases recycled business cards, toner, office supplies and the like whenever possible. The garage’s single stream recycling program and preferred parking locations for drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles help to encourage its patrons to be more environmentally responsible.
Santa Monica Place (Santa Monica, CA): “At last, a smart parking garage” is how the Los Angeles Times described Santa Monica Place Garages 7 & 8 1800-space parking facility. Boasting the nation's first camera-based "Find Your Car" technology to help shoppers who can't remember where they parked, the garage is lit by a high-efficiency fluorescent lighting system governed by both photo-cells and a lighting schedule. Macerich, the retail developer, owner and operator who developed the facility, installed automated payment and single space monitoring systems to promote efficient traffic flow throughout the garage. Electric vehicle charging is offered in a preferred parking location and bike lockers are available as well. In addition to its use of green cleaning products and practices, Santa Monica Place has also deployed a storm water retention and clarification system to lower the facility’s consumption of potable water.
List of Sites and their green features can be viewed and downloaded at: http://bit.ly/DemonstratorSiteList
Photos of sites can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/DemonstratorSitePhotos
About Green Parking Council:
The Green Parking Council is a national 501(c)(3) organization providing leadership and oversight for the development and dispersion of green parking practices through developing certification and credentialing programs, open-source standards, professional leadership and educational development and training for organizations and individuals in the parking industry. GPC works at the intersection of parking, green building, clean technology, renewable energy, smart grid infrastructure, urban planning and sustainable mobility.
Our partners understand that a global shift towards sustainability presents the parking industry with a unique opportunity for innovation and unprecedented growth. GPC collaborates with the two largest parking associations in America, the National Parking Association and the International Parking Institute, and its Board includes members from BMW and leading national parking management companies.
For more information, please visit www.greenparkingcouncil.org.
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“GPC Demonstrator Sites begin the transformation of traditional parking facilities to certified green garages through the adoption of energy efficient lighting systems, electric vehicle charging stations, alternative fuel vehicle fleets, recycling programs, car sharing programs and other progressive practices,” explained Paul Wessel, Executive Director of the GPC. “The owners and operators of these twenty-five facilities are leading this collaboration of the parking, green building, clean technology, renewable energy, smart grid infrastructure, urban planning and sustainable mobility worlds.”
Spanning the continent from Texas to Alberta, Canada, from California to Massachusetts, these sites represent a commitment by visionary, forward-thinking parking industry leaders to leverage their operations, partnerships, creativity and ingenuity to shift the transportation eco-system towards greener practices and long-term sustainability.
“The Green Parking Council’s certification program for parking facilities was given increased importance this year with the decision by the U.S. Green Building Council to cease granting LEED certification to parking garages,” explained, Gary Cudney, President & CEO at Carl Walker, Inc., a GPC Launch Partner. “The GPC Green Garage program is now the only recognized sustainability standard for new and existing parking facilities. We are honored and enthused by the broad participation in the Demonstrator Site program and the buzz it has created throughout the parking and planning communities.”
“All of these sites demonstrate how parking is part of the solution to creating a more sustainable environment,” added Constance Keedle, Administrative Director of the GPC. “Each site has its own unique story and shows the opportunity ahead for all of us.” A glimpse of three sites illustrates the point:
Garage at Post Office Square (Boston, MA): The 1.7 acre Norman B. Leventhal Park is actually the extraordinary green roof of Garage at Post Office Square, a 1400-space parking site in Boston, MA. Developed by a public-private partnership and managed by Ameripark, the site is celebrated by Project for Public Spaces as one of “the best squares and plazas in the world.” Below ground, the garage’s fluorescent lighting fixtures are controlled by a building technology system lowering the energy consumption of the facility. Water consumption is reduced with motion-activated low-flow water fixtures. Signage and an automated payment system increase traffic flow and eliminate fuel waste while vehicles are idling. Small vehicle parking spaces and electric vehicle charging stations promote the use of more efficient vehicles, while car-sharing is encouraged with reserved spaces. In response to rising demand, bicycle racks were installed in the park last spring.
Canopy Airport Parking (Denver, CO Airport): Located in Commerce City, Colorado, Canopy is a 4200-space parking facility deploying a wide range of sustainable technologies and programs. Propark America’s garage has installed six electric vehicle charging stations available for free use by Canopy’s customers. Renewable energy powers between 37 to 40% of Canopy’s needs, including a geothermal heating and cooling exchange system as well as a water efficiency system. In addition, facility management purchases recycled business cards, toner, office supplies and the like whenever possible. The garage’s single stream recycling program and preferred parking locations for drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles help to encourage its patrons to be more environmentally responsible.
Santa Monica Place (Santa Monica, CA): “At last, a smart parking garage” is how the Los Angeles Times described Santa Monica Place Garages 7 & 8 1800-space parking facility. Boasting the nation's first camera-based "Find Your Car" technology to help shoppers who can't remember where they parked, the garage is lit by a high-efficiency fluorescent lighting system governed by both photo-cells and a lighting schedule. Macerich, the retail developer, owner and operator who developed the facility, installed automated payment and single space monitoring systems to promote efficient traffic flow throughout the garage. Electric vehicle charging is offered in a preferred parking location and bike lockers are available as well. In addition to its use of green cleaning products and practices, Santa Monica Place has also deployed a storm water retention and clarification system to lower the facility’s consumption of potable water.
List of Sites and their green features can be viewed and downloaded at: http://bit.ly/DemonstratorSiteList
Photos of sites can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/DemonstratorSitePhotos
About Green Parking Council:
The Green Parking Council is a national 501(c)(3) organization providing leadership and oversight for the development and dispersion of green parking practices through developing certification and credentialing programs, open-source standards, professional leadership and educational development and training for organizations and individuals in the parking industry. GPC works at the intersection of parking, green building, clean technology, renewable energy, smart grid infrastructure, urban planning and sustainable mobility.
Our partners understand that a global shift towards sustainability presents the parking industry with a unique opportunity for innovation and unprecedented growth. GPC collaborates with the two largest parking associations in America, the National Parking Association and the International Parking Institute, and its Board includes members from BMW and leading national parking management companies.
For more information, please visit www.greenparkingcouncil.org.
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Contact
Green Parking Council
Dennis A. Safford
860-527-2378
www.greenparkingcouncil.org
Dennis A. Safford
860-527-2378
www.greenparkingcouncil.org
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