Title
Energy Commission Resolution Recognizing the DDA for its Decarbonization and Sustainability
Body
Whereas, the City of Ann Arbor adopted the Sustainability Framework outlining its environmental and social goals and has taken on the A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality goal to reduce carbon emissions from our community to zero by 2030;
Whereas, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has a long history of providing strong environmental leadership in our community to reduce the use of fossil fuels by implementing programs and projects to improve energy efficiency, install and demonstrate renewable energy, encourage the transition to electric vehicles, promote walking, biking and the use of public transportation, plant trees, and invest in a welcoming downtown;
Whereas, in 2006 the DDA provided 50% of the funding for the City to install a test block of 20 experimental LED globe lights for downtown;
Whereas, in 2007, after a successful test and public feedback, DDA approved $630,000 to retrofit all downtown sidewalk lights with LED lighting leading to an annual reduction in lighting cost of $100,000 and an annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 267 metric tons CO2;
Whereas, the Downtown LED Retrofit Project brought national and international awards and acclaim to Ann Arbor for its leadership in demonstrating this new technology, including from the Clinton Foundation, the International City / County Managers' Association and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (now known as ICLEI);
Whereas, in 2007 the DDA approved $100,000 in funding for the construction of the 10 kW Farmers Market Solar array to provide a very visible public demonstration of this renewable energy technology;
Whereas, the Farmers Market Solar Project was awarded a $6,000 State grant to provide an educational kiosk designed and constructed by the Hands-on Museum to increase public knowledge of this technology;
Whereas, in 2008-2011 the DDA provided over $600,000 to fund the Downtown Energy Efficiency Grant Program that provided 125 energy audits for downtown businesses totaling 1.7 million sq. ft. of building space and identifying over $1,000,000 in energy saving measures;
Whereas, the Downtown Energy Efficiency Grant Program contributed $208,000 in matching grant funds to 31 downtown businesses enabling them to install $805,000 in energy saving measures estimated to save $94,000 in energy costs per year;
Whereas, in 2016 the DDA created and managed a program to install and monitor 22 public electric car charging stations in downtown Ann Arbor funded by a $106,000 federal grant, making Ann Arbor a leader in electric car charging in Michigan;
Whereas, in 2018 the DDA was a founding member of the Ann Arbor 2030 District, one of many private-public partnerships forming throughout America to meet the energy, water and vehicle emissions targets for existing and new buildings set forth by Architecture 2030 in the 2030 Challenge for Planning and Buildings;
Whereas, in 2018, the DDA approved $50,000 for an 11kW solar carport demonstration to assist in future decision making about installing larger solar energy systems on parking structure roof decks or other surface lots thereby allowing Ann Arbor residents and visitors to access to 100% pollution-free electric car driving;
Whereas, the DDA installs and maintains all bike parking and lockers in downtown Ann Arbor, both permanent and seasonal;
Whereas, the DDA has spent millions on its People Friendly Streets program, including major infrastructure upgrades and beautifying downtown streets such as Fifth Avenue, Detroit Street, South University Avenue, Huron Street and William Street, First Street and Ashley Streets, and in March 2021 committed an $10 million more to the next round of improvements;
Whereas, the DDA and the Office of Sustainability and Innovations are collaborating to install 80 more electric vehicle charging stations in the downtown core;
Resolved, the Ann Arbor Energy Commission recognizes the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority’s many efforts to promote and encourage decarbonization and environmental sustainability in the downtown area; and
Resolved, the Ann Arbor Energy Commission commends the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority for its leadership in reducing CO2 emissions and encourages it to continue to pursue the planning and implementation of other policies and projects which further the goals of the City of Ann Arbor’s A2ZERO Climate Neutrality Plan and other environmental goals as summarized by the City of Ann Arbor’s