On April 7, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners announced the finalists for the 2021 Excellence in GSI Awards and a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the City of Philadelphia’s landmark Green City, Clean Waters plan.

The winners of the Awards will be recognized at a special virtual ceremony on April 22 starting at 5:30 p.m.

Excellence In GSI Awards

The Excellence in GSI Awards is Southeast Pennsylvania’s only award ceremony that recognizes the projects and people that bring the triple bottom line (environmental, social, and economic) benefits of green stormwater infrastructure to life.

“GSI is a proven tool that not only improves our rivers and streams, but also supports diverse local businesses, provides family-supporting jobs, improves public health and community wellbeing, and contributes to climate resilience,” said Anna Shipp, SBN’s Executive Director.

“This year’s finalists and winners all represent the significance that GSI has on building a thriving economy with localism, equity, and climate resilience at the center,” continued Shipp.

After 2020, a year that underscored how essential diverse local businesses are to our economy and the need for accelerated action for social justice and climate change, continued if not increased investment in GSI is crucial.

SBN applauds the public and private sector leaders in the City and region who continue to advance green stormwater infrastructure with these desired outcomes front of mind.

This year’s award ceremony will feature--

-- Keynote address from Andrew Sawyers, Director of the Office of Wastewater Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and

-- Closing remarks from Randy E. Hayman, Esq., Commissioner and CEO for the Philadelphia Water Department.

This year’s finalists are recognized for excellence in green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) in the following categories:

-- Public Projects: Projects managed in large part by public agency and/or on public property; this includes municipal, state, and federal.  Finalists--

     -- 40th Street Trolley – Meliora Design

     -- Wissinoming Park – Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc.

     -- Kingsessing Recreation Center – Stantec

     -- Hancock Playground – SALT Design Studio

-- Innovation: Processes, programs, or technology that break new ground by applying information, ingenuity, and initiative to significantly advance GSI impact.  Finalist--

     -- Green City Inlet Filter – ACF Environmental

Special Awards Category - Public Voting

Special this year to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Philadelphia’s innovative Green City, Clean Waters Plan, SBN will also be recognizing “Best of Green City, Clean Waters” projects.

This award recognizes public, private, and innovative GSI projects in Philadelphia that exemplify the triple bottom line goals of Green City, Clean Waters. 

The Public Project finalists are--

-- Lea Elementary School – International Consultants, Inc., Meliora Design, SALT Design Studio

-- Penn Street Trail – NV5

-- John H. Taggart Elementary Schoolyard Improvement Project – TEND Landscapes, Trust for Public Land

-- Heston Gardens – Stantec, Philadelphia Water Department

-- Jose Manuel Collazo Playground – Stantec

-- Chester Arthur Schoolyard – SALT Design Studio, Cornerstone Consulting Engineers & Architectural, Inc.,  Ann Rothman Structural Engineering, InLand Design

-- Panati Playground – Gilmore & Associates, Inc.

-- 40th Street Trolley – Meliora Design

-- Wissinoming Park – Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc.

-- Kingsessing Recreation Center – Stantec

-- Hancock Playground – SALT Design Studio

            The Private Project finalists are--

-- Circa Green – Erdy McHenry Architecture, Pennoni, Roofmeadow, Tim Haahs & Associates

-- Bethesda Presbyterian Church – AKRF, CGC Consulting, Atane Consulting

-- Central Green @ The Navy Yard –Environetics, James Corner Field Operations, Pennoni

-- Frankford Friends Nature Learning Lab – ThinkGreen, LLC, Meliora Design

-- Shoemaker Green at the University of Pennsylvania – Andropogon Associates, Meliora Design, Stantec, Keast and Hood, Tillett Lighting and Design, International Consultants, Inc., Irrigation Consulting, Inc., Craul Land Scientists

-- Woodmere Art Museum – NTM Engineering, Inc., Matthew Baird Architects, PLLC

-- Drexel Perelman & Korman Plazas – Andropogon Associates, Meliora Design

The Innovation finalists are--

-- Circa Green – Erdy McHenry Architecture, Pennoni, Roofmeadow, Tim Haahs & Associates

-- Philadelphia Parcel Viewer/ Credits Explorer/ Garp Aggregator – Property Manager – Azavea

-- Smart Stormwater Management Technology – OptiRTC

-- Sandmeyer Regional Stormwater Facility – Infrastructure Solutions Services

-- Community Academy of Philadelphia Charter School – Infrastructure Solutions Services

-- Kelly Green Project – Kelly Green Project

-- Climate-Smart Cities – The Trust for Public Land Charter School

-- Green Infrastructure Living Laboratory – Drexel University’s Green Infrastructure Living Laboratory

-- Green City Inlet Filter – ACF Environmental

A public online poll will determine the winner.

The public voting will close on Friday, April 9, with each category’s winners (Public, Private, and Innovation) to be announced during the award ceremony.

Click Here to view the public online poll and to cast your vote.

“This year’s finalists represent the incredible benefits that harnessing a nature-based approach to stormwater management provide to the City of Philadelphia, the region, and beyond,” said SBN’s GSI Partners Manager, Alex Cupo. “Collectively, they represent nearly 45 greened acres managed and transformations of public parks, recreation centers, and transit centers.”

Honoring 10 Years of Philadelphia’s Green City Clean Waters

Implemented in 2011, Green City, Clean Waters is an agreement between Philadelphia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Environmental Protection to meet federal water pollution standards set by the Clean Water Act.

The plan is unique because it relies on nature-based stormwater solutions to reduce combined sewer overflows by 85 percent by 2036.

“Green City, Clean Waters continues to catalyze public and private investments in green stormwater infrastructure and offers a model for municipalities across the country,” said Shipp.

“The City of Philadelphia’s investment is estimated to result in $4 billion of economic impact over the plan’s lifespan and support nearly 1,200 jobs annually in Philadelphia, making our water cleaner and safer, our communities greener, and our economy stronger.”

Awards/Celebration Program

To buy tickets or for more information, visit the 2021 Excellence in GSI Awards webpage.

For all media inquiries, including press access to the awards ceremony, please contact Jared Lowe, Communications Manager, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, at jared@sbnphiladelphia.org.

More information on the Partners is available at SBN’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners webpage.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events, and how you can get involved, visit the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia website.

Related Article:

-- Sustainable Pittsburgh: 11th Annual (Virtual) Sustainability Conference May 6-7

[Posted: April 7, 2021]

4/12/2021