SYRACUSE, NY – Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney today announced that Save the Rain projects in the “civic strip” have received a New York State Environmental Excellence Award. At a reception today in Schenectady, NY, co-hosted by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Price Chopper Corporation, Onondaga County and 7 other organizations were recognized with an award this year. This year marks the 10th annual Environmental Excellence Awards, which recognize innovative programs that are protecting New York’s environment and building a more vibrant economy.
“These marquee Save the Rain projects in our civic strip capture more than 6 million gallons of runoff improving the water quality of Onondaga Lake and its tributaries,” said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney. “Thank you to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for honoring Save the Rain with a 2013 Environmental Excellence Award.”
Under the Save the Rain Program, Onondaga County has transformed the “civic strip” – a section of South State Street extending from East Genesee Street to East Adams Street in downtown Syracuse – into a green infrastructure corridor. The green projects within this corridor include the 66,000 square foot green roof on the Oncenter Convention Center, the innovative water re-use cistern system at the War Memorial Arena, a commercial green street on Harrison Street, and green parking facility renovations at the Townsend Street Parking Lot, the Oncenter Parking Lot, and the Oncenter Parking Garage.
The County’s Save the Rain Program is a nationally renowned model for sustainability in stormwater management. The County has also been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a green infrastructure partner community in 2011, as well as awards from New York Water Environment Association, American Public Works Association, and was awarded a 2013 U.S. Water Prize by U.S. Water Alliance.
For more information on the award, view the DEC press release and for information on the green projects in the civic strip and all Save the Rain projects, please visit our green projects page.
