Honor recognizes city’s commitment to sustainability, resiliency through its strategies, staff says
The City of Sarasota has achieved LEED Gold certification with the U.S. Green Building Council, the city has announced.
“The certification recognizes the City’s commitment to improving sustainability and resilience through practical and measurable strategies,” a news release explains.
“Gold certification is the second highest level awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council based on its LEED for Cities rating system. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system,” the release adds.
“Being LEED certified to the Gold level is a significant achievement for the city,” said Sustainability Coordinator Jeff Vredenburg in the release. “It highlights the city’s dedication to creating and tracking specific innovative plans to attain sustainability goals for improved quality of life for our residents and visitors.”
“The City is taking an innovative, responsible and holistic approach to sustainability,” the release continues. “In addition to tracking performance levels with traditional targets, such as energy and water consumption,” the city has been documenting programs that create a healthier environment and boost residents’ quality of life, the release points out. “Bicycle and e-scooter rentals, the Bay Runner trolley, The Bay Park and public art in roundabouts are among the City’s new sustainability and resiliency initiatives being studied,” the release notes.
The City of Sarasota is a LEED case study with data available online that may be reviewed and compared to other communities worldwide, the release says.
To learn more about the City of Sarasota Sustainability program, visit the city website: www.SarasotaFL.gov.