September 19, 2011

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer unveiled on August 22 two new green projects, built with federal stimulus dollars, continuing toward his goal of making Louisville one of the healthiest, most environmentally conscious and energy efficient cities in the country. “This is a golden example of a best practice in our city, a practice that saves energy and is designed to protect the environment for the long term,” stated Fischer.

The first project was a $1 million initiative to install a 24,000 square foot green roof, the largest green roof in the state, for the Romano L. Mazzoli Federal Building. The newly installed roof helps reduce the surrounding air temperature, so it can retain heat in the winter, cool the building in the summer, absorb rainfall and save energy in the long run. The green roof also features a process that collects rainwater and repurposes the runoff to water plant beds below.

The Metropolitan Sewer District also invested $250,000 to better equip the Mazzoli Building’s parking lot to deal with rainwater runoff. The conservation measures installed in the 1.3 acre parking lot, which includes permeable pavers and a special absorbent soil in the landscaping, are expected to divert up to 90 percent of runoff from the sewers to help avoid combined sewer overflow which pollutes local waterways.

Later that same day, Fischer, along with Congressman John Yarmuth, announced the new $4.5 million energy efficient Transit Authority River City (TARC) facility that is used for maintenance and training. The facility, which began construction in the summer 2009, uses solar and natural lighting to power buses instead of having them idle, using fuel and costing money. It is expected that the new facility will save about 30 percent of its energy cost. In addition to the energy efficient facility, TARC will use a new route for its buses out of the terminal to save time, create less traffic and save approximately $100,000 in fuel costs.

The recently completed green projects in Louisville will not only help the environment and cut costs, but have also saved and created many jobs in the area. “Any city that’s growing around the world is very active in the area of sustainability – it’s good for the environment, but it’s also good for jobs as well,” said Fischer. The 21-month construction of the TARC maintenance facility employed 329 people at the site, the equivalent of 13 full-time jobs, and provided many local suppliers and manufacturing workers with jobs relating to the project.

Fischer has stressed the importance of quality job creation and the benefits of more environmentally friendly businesses within a city. During his time in office, the mayor has taken steps toward achieving these goals through the construction, development and revitalization of businesses and buildings across the city. In January 2011, Fischer announced the Newburg Library green project that includes the installation of solar and wind powered outdoor lighting and a new solar-powered roof.

Beginning in late 2010, energy efficient facility improvements for 24 buildings in Louisville were started, and expected savings exceed $13 million in energy costs over 15 years. The program will support the city’s economy through the creation of more than 80 jobs and $10 million in community spending. “When we talk about job creation – we need good quality jobs. Jobs that people can build a life on,” said Fischer.

The mayor has put a strong focus on strengthening the city’s already strong sectors to advance future job growth in the region. One of his major focuses in job creation is the launch of construction projects. A $157 million construction project to recreate Sheppard Square in Smoketown was announced this past June – a project that will create 200 new jobs. The construction of a new VA Hospital and expansion and renovation of the Speed Art Museum in the city will add approximately 600 additional jobs in the region.

At the Clinton Global Initiative America event held in Chicago in June 2011, Fischer and Lexington (KY) Mayor Jim Gray revealed the Bluegrass Economic Advanced Movement initiative to undertake a joint regional economic development project to improve both cities’ competiveness in advanced manufacturing.

The two cities were one of seven regions chosen by the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program as a pilot project for the rest of the country. The 18-month project will help the two cities build on existing strengths while working together with business, government and educational leaders to achieve significant job growth in advanced manufacturing and other key industry sectors. The project will cost $250,000 and be funded with private dollars raised jointly by Commerce Lexington and Great Louisville Inc., with the Brookings Institution donating its services valued at $750,000.

Fischer continues to demonstrate his commitment to energy efficiency in his plans for the economic revitalization of Louisville. Through various collaborative partnerships, he has been able to bring about the development of green buildings and businesses, with the added goal of sustaining and creating jobs at the same time.