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City wins green innovation award for 21st St. 

12-06-14-photo-for-green-award-press-release-(Large)The City of Paso Robles was recognized Friday evening by the US Green Building Council of the Central Coast Chapter (USGB-C4) for its innovative low impact design demonstration project, the 21st Street Improvements Project. Noted as the first “green” and “complete street” on the Central Coast, the city was honored with the 2014 Green Innovation Award. The six-block corridor includes key sustainable infrastructure features such as a 26,000 square foot reduction of impervious pavement, bioretention areas that incorporate native plantings, and a center median channel that accommodates high velocity storm flows from the Mountain Springs Creek watershed and allows for increased groundwater recharge. Further, the city incorporated “complete street” features, which provide enhanced mobility for cyclists, pedestrians, and users of all abilities.

To develop the 21st Street conceptual design, the city called on Seattle-based Green/Complete Street design experts, SvR Design. Community participation and feedback was encouraged throughout all phases of the project design to achieve a functional and sustainable corridor that fits within the existing fabric of the neighborhood, whether residential or commercial. The unique approach taken for this regional demonstration project illustrates Paso Robles’ commitment to a sustainable future.

Although the conceptual design phase was led by SvR Design, the city made it a point to hire local consultants to take the project from concept to reality. This allowed the city to import cutting edge design know how while retaining the regional knowledge of local companies and ultimately expanding the regional capacity for green, complete street design. The local team was lead by Cannon, who provided the civil engineering and landscape architectural design. Other local consultants included Earth Systems Pacific, geotechnical engineers, North Coast, surveyor, and A&T Arborists. Raminha Construction was the primary contractor for the project.

Finally, because the project features included storm water retention from the recent rains, approximately 250,000 gallons of water have recharged into the groundwater basin, equal to a family of four using potable water for an entire year.

The 21st Street Green, Complete Street Project was made possible in part by an Urban Greening Grant from the California Strategic Growth Council.

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About the author: Publisher Scott Brennan

Scott Brennan is the publisher of this newspaper and founder of Access Publishing. Follow him on Twitter, LinkedIn, or follow his blog.