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Envision Rating System Featured by Arup

24-August-2022

Ahead of COP27, Nathalie Angel of Arup interviewed ISI’s Anthony Kane about the creation and growth of the transformative sustainability framework and rating system for infrastructure that is Envision™.

The interview focused on the history of ISI, how the infrastructure sector came to identify the need for a sustainability measuring tool for sustainability, and how Envision filled that gap. The exchange also provided an opportunity to highlight the value that the ENV SP credential and Envision verification hold for Arup members and projects, aligning with the theme of decarbonization of cities at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (Nov. 6 – 18, 2022).

Here is a link to the interview, which was published in Arup’s newsletter.

Podcast: Implementing Sustainability through Envision

17-August-2022

Antoinette Quagliata, Manager, Sustainability Services at Dewberry, interviewed Anthony Kane, president and CEO of ISI in a podcast posted by Dewberry. She asked about emerging trends in the types of projects pursuing Envision verification, how ISI activities tie in with federal infrastructure funding, and about what’s next for ISI beyond the U.S.

But Quagliata began the interview with a question about why infrastructure owners seek Envision verification for their projects, and here is part of Kane’s response:

“The number one feedback for them is that they find the verification process leads to better project delivery, better project management, and more effective communication. Additionally, project teams find that Envision verification leads to more innovative solutions, less errors and challenges in the project.”

To hear more of the interview, access the podcast and the accompanying article in the following link: Dewberry podcast.

Taylor Yard Bike/Walk Bridge Connects Communities across Los Angeles River and earns Envision Bronze Award for Sustainability

10-August-2022

The City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering’s Taylor Yard Bikeway and Pedestrian Bridge is one of the newest bridges to span the Los Angeles River. It’s a car-free bridge reserved exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists.

Opened in 2021, this 400-foot-long, 27-foot-wide steel truss box bridge connects the Elysian Valley and Cypress Park communities, located on the south and north sides of the river, respectively. Orange in color to represent the beautiful LA sunsets, the bridge has a distinctive style. It was designed to require minimal supports in the river, reducing the disruption of the natural flow of the river and habitat impacts. The bridge includes lookout platforms for viewers and provides users with improved river access and more green spaces to bike and walk. It was designed to be durable, easy to maintain, and constructed efficiently.

Project Partners

The owner, the City of Los Angeles, worked in close collaboration with several partners on the bridge design and construction, including SPF:architects (Architect), Tetra Tech (Civil Engineer), Arup (Structural Engineer), Hood Design (Landscape), and Ortiz Enterprises (Contractor).

Quotes:

Melissa Peneycad, managing director at the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure: “The Taylor Yard Bike/Walk Bridge connects communities in an aesthetically pleasing, sustainable way. The bridge enlarges sustainable transportation and recreation options for people in neighboring communities, true to the city’s plans to enhance the river identity and improve mobility. For these reasons and more, ISI is pleased to recognize this project with an Envision Bronze award for sustainability.”

Ted Allen, City Engineer: “The Taylor Yard Pedestrian Bridge is the third pedestrian crossing in recent years that the Bureau of Engineering has completed along this stretch of the Los Angeles River. These bridges are connecting communities and creating safe, car-free ways for people to cross the river. These projects are part of the overall revitalization of the Los Angeles River, and highlight the City’s ongoing commitment to connecting communities and bringing residents more ways to access and enjoy open space.”

View the full announcement in our Project Directory.

New resource! Release of an Envision-verified Project Submission

9-August-2022

The most comprehensive project example provided by ISI to date comes from this intermodal transit center project located in the Berryessa district of San Jose, California

For the first time, specific details and Envision documentation from a verified project have been made available as a resource to help other Envision users. This resource includes the Envision scorecard and several Envision credit submittals—including coversheets and supporting documentation—for the Berryessa Transit Center Project, which was awarded Envision Platinum in March 2021.

The project’s owner, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and the lead Envision firm for the project, Keish Environmental, have graciously granted permission to ISI to release their Envision project submission, and it’s now available as a resource to anyone with an ISI account. A link to the materials can be found on users’ dashboards under “Verification Resources” after logging into the ISI site: https://v4.sustainableinfrastructure.org/login.

Every Envision-verified project is different, with a specific context, requirements, and aspirations that cannot be easily extrapolated to another project. Still, the specificity of an actual project example can be tremendously valuable in adding a further layer of insight and visibility into the verification process.

Applicants are expected to find this resource very instructive, as it makes available the written responses and supporting documentation used to meet Envision requirements during project verification.

“The example provides all the materials submitted by the Berryessa project for seven Envision v3 credits,” notes Kristi Wamstad, ISI’s verification director. “It also includes verifier comments and additional documentation from the project team’s resubmission for the second review. This resource really offers Envision users an authentic insight into the verification process.”

“We are indebted to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Keish Environmental for granting permission to make available their project submission, as this is easily the most comprehensive project example provided by ISI to date,” said Melissa Peneycad, ISI’s managing director.

Berryessa Transit Center: A stand-out example Envision project

There’s also excitement across the Envision community about the high caliber of the first project to be made public. The Platinum-Awarded Berryessa Transit Center delivered diverse, interrelated benefits for environmental justice, restoration of the natural world, adding public space and amenities, improving local character, improving the community’s long-term sustainability, and more.

As ISI’s award announcement highlighted last year, this intermodal transit center located in the Berryessa district of San Jose, California, is a shining example of integrating sustainability in as much of the project footprint as possible, from EV chargers – to a new, multi-modal trail – to habitat restoration in an urban environment – to a contemplative garden honoring the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area.

“We’re thrilled to have the first Envision-verified project to be shared as a unique resource that can accelerate the use of Envision to evaluate and deliver on sustainability,” said Ann Calnan, Manager of Environmental Programs at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.

“It is an honor to be able to ‘go public’ with a project that I am so proud to have worked on, complete with the supporting documentation, knowing how this may assist other Envision users in preparing their projects for verification,” said Rachael Keish, CEO of Keish Environmental.

ISI hopes the release of materials from the Berryessa Transit Center project will inspire other project teams to make their project documentation public, as sharing actual project examples can accelerate sustainability practices and the use of Envision as a vital tool for accomplishing that.

While the information provided in this resource does not supersede the guidance and requirements established in the Envision Guidance Manual (v3), the Guide to Envision Verification for Applicants, Credit Amendments (v3), and ISI Policies, ISI believes this example project submission offers valuable support to applicants and opens a new window into the verification process.

Questions about this resource, or other resources available to applicants, can be directed to info@sustainableinfrastructure.org.

About the partner organizations

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of the region. VTA is responsible for bus, light rail, and paratransit operations and serves as the county’s congestion management agency implementing specific highway improvement projects and performing countywide transportation planning including bikeways and pedestrian facilities. Visit www.vta.org.

Keish Environmental

Keish Environmental provides sustainability, program/construction management, and environmental compliance services. Founded in 2014, the firm specializes in ensuring regulatory permit conditions, stormwater quality requirements, and environmental document mitigations are implemented in the field to allow smooth project delivery. Sustainability is a core value at the firm and our staff are certified as both LEED and Envision Sustainability Professionals (ENV SPs). The firm’s practical approach to implementation helps projects achieve the highest levels of sustainability, while completing work on budget and on schedule. Keish Environmental is a certified small business. Visit https://keishenv.com.

ISI Releases New Envision Credit Amendments

9-August-2022

Developed in collaboration with ISI’s Envision Review Board, two new credit amendments have been approved and are now on ISI users’ dashboards — amendments #008 and #009 (part of the Credit Amendments (v3) consolidated package under “Verification Resources” at https://v4.sustainableinfrastructure.org/login). Users can refer to the resource shown with a red box in the screenshot below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Envision guidance manual is the official reference for project assessments. Credit Amendments from ISI modify the manual to clarify how Envision credits are assessed and verified in certain situations encountered by real projects.

As a reminder, ENV SPs and other Envision users should periodically check your dashboard every few months to be sure they have the most up-to-date resources as ISI may add or amend resources at any time.

East Side Coastal Resiliency Project Receives Envision Gold Award for Sustainability

1-August-2022

The East Side Coastal Resiliency project uses a series of berms, flood walls, flood gates and raised parklands to create a continuous 2.4-mile barrier to protect 110,000 residents of the Lower East Side in Manhattan from future coastal and tidal flooding.

NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley announced Aug. 1 that the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project, which is enhancing parks while creating a 2.4-mile long flexible flood barrier extending from Montgomery Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side up to Asser Levy Playground at East 25th Street, has been awarded “Envision Gold” for sustainability from ISI.

ESCR is a $1.45-billion climate resiliency project that will provide flood protection and improve open spaces for more than 110,000 New Yorkers, including 28,000 residents in NYCHA housing. This is especially significant for neighborhoods in the ESCR project area that were severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Managed by DDC, the project involves significant upgrades to public open spaces and five parks, including improved waterfront access through reconstructed bridges and entry points. It will also upgrade existing sewer systems to capture and manage precipitation during storms.

Quotes:

NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley: “DDC is honored to bring flood protection and improve open spaces for 110,000 New Yorkers who were affected by Sandy and who live in an area with limited recreational opportunities. DDC and all of City government are taking climate change seriously and targeting our efforts to the communities that need it most. I’d like to thank the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure for recognizing this project with its Envision Gold Award.”

Mayor Eric Adams: “It is affirmational to be honored for our work to protect New Yorkers from the impacts of climate change. In the face of the biggest environmental threat we all face – we will continue to plan ahead, innovate, and get stuff done for New Yorkers.”

View the full announcement in our Project Directory.