BUILT environment
Indianapolis constructs and maintains buildings and infrastructure that provide safe, comfortable and healthy environments for all.
Built Environment: (BE:1) All new buildings meet basic green building standards, and programs to increase energy and water efficiency are actively pursued in existing buildings
| Action | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| BE:1A | Develop an energy benchmarking and disclosure policy for municipal and commercial buildings with the first-year disclosure completed by the end of 2020. | Complete |
| BE:1B | Require all new commercial construction to meet electric vehicle (EV) readiness requirements for 20% of parking spaces by 2020, with the goal of significantly increasing charging infrastructure at businesses and workplaces. | Action Needed |
| BE:1C | Establish low-interest loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in new and existing buildings, sustained by a revolving loan fund from a combination of financing sources. | In Progress |
BE:1A - COMPLETE
BE:1A - “Develop an energy benchmarking and disclosure policy for municipal and commercial buildings with the first-year disclosure completed by the end of 2020.”
On July 12, 2021, the Benchmarking and Transparency Ordinance, Proposal 185, was added to the City-County code governing Indianapolis and Marion County. Proposal 185 will encourage energy efficiency and unlock benefits for community and building owners. It will require buildings 50,000 square feet and larger to disclose energy and water consumption to the city using Portfolio Manager. It also applies to city-owned buildings of at least 25,000 square feet. In 2026, the data will be made public, enabling the transparency we’re looking to provide to the real estate community and to everyone in the city.
This is the first policy to result from Thrive, the City’s sustainability & resiliency action plan. It was also made possible with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge.
Thriving Buildings
Indy's benchmarking program, referred to as Thriving Buildings, gives organizations the opportunity to benchmark their energy and water data to identify ways to save money on utility costs while improving air quality for Indianapolis residents. Building owners, operators, and managers can get a head start on compliance and get involved now by visiting the Thriving Buildings webpage.
To stay up to date on Thriving Buildings news, including upcoming "Data Jam" benchmarking workshops here.
For a full implementation and transparency timeline, click here.
Questions? Email Benchmarking@Indy.Gov
Indiana Energy Independence Fund
BE:1C - Establish low-interest loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in new and existing buildings, sustained by a revolving loan fund from a combination of financing sources.
The manifestation of this action item has resulted in the Indiana Energy Independence Fund. IEIF is committed to helping Hoosiers make responsible financial decisions that make their homes more comfortable, buildings less wasteful, and bank accounts grow by lowering energy bills. The organization’s vision is to build a community-focused initiative that offers a range of financial products and services that allows Hoosiers to take control of their energy costs and move toward energy independence. IEIF is dedicated to creating an institution that helps people put their energy into things that matter instead of their utility bills.
Built Environment: (BE:2) All new infrastructure is designed, built and maintained to be resilient to the anticipated impacts of climate change, and investments are prioritized based on the 2018 Vulnerability Assessment.
| Action | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| BE:2A | Systematically integrate climate change projections into all future capital projects by 2020, ensuring new infrastructure can withstand current and projected impacts | Action Needed |
| BE:2B | Improve onsite stormwater retention programs by incentivizing rain barrels, rain gardens and green roofs. Register 500 residential and nonresidential properties in the stormwater credit program by 2022. | Action Needed |
| BE:2C | Evaluate the effectiveness of the 2016 Green Factor score-based zoning requirement to determine opportunities for improvement. | Action Needed |
| BE:2D | Increase street sweeping operations throughout the county to improve stormwater drainage. | Complete |
BE:2D - Street Sweeping
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works $2.1 million street sweeping program preserves pavement and protects city infrastructure by removing salt, litter, gravel and other debris along Combined Sewer thoroughfares; streets in the downtown Mile Square and Broad Ripple areas; major county thoroughfares; as well as along bike lanes and trails. Street sweeping protects water quality by removing dirt and surface debris, minimizing the burden on the city’s sewer system. It also keeps leaves and other debris from clogging stormwater drains, which may result in flooding during rainy days.
BE:2D - Complete
BE:2D - “Increase street sweeping operations throughout the county to improve stormwater drainage.”
Street sweeping contributes to sustainability, resilience, and public health by:
-Preserving the lifespan of public infrastructure
-Minimizing the burden on the Combined Sewer treatment system
-Diverting potentially hazardous or harmful debris from entering waterways
-Removing possible obstructions from stormwater inlets, which might otherwise contribute to local flooding
