The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN) celebrated its 5th Annual Excellence in GSI Awards on Thursday, April 22.
The awards are the region’s only ceremony that recognizes the projects and people that bring the triple bottom line (environmental, social, and economic) benefits of green stormwater infrastructure to life. Special to this year, the ceremony also celebrated ten years of Green City, Clean Waters, — Philadelphia’s nationally renowned plan to reduce stormwater in an environmentally conscious manner.
Close to 100 of the region’s industry leaders and partners, decision-makers, and stakeholders virtually gathered to honor the many achievements of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects and the teams of people behind them. This year’s winners were recognized for excellence in GSI in the following categories: Public Projects, Innovation, and for the first time, a Best of Green City, Clean Waters award that recognizes past and present public or private GSI projects that exemplify the triple bottom line goals of Green City, Clean Waters. A public online poll determined the winners of the categories and was announced during the ceremony.
At the start of the program, SBN’s Executive Director Anna Shipp provided remarks applauding the region’s partners and leaders and their commitment to advance GSI in the area despite the challenges that 2020 brought.
Andrew Sawyers, Director of the Office of Wastewater Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), delivered a passionate keynote address on Philadelphia’s national leadership in green stormwater infrastructure, its replicable model for other cities to follow, and how important it is, given our current presidential administration’s push to mitigate climate change, for Philadelphia and our region to continue to lead with our successes. Randy E. Hayman, Esq., Commissioner and CEO for the Philadelphia Water Department, provided the evening’s closing remarks, reflecting on the last ten years of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters, and what the future holds for the plan.
“Tonight’s finalists and their projects show how green infrastructure can benefit both the environment and our economy while instilling equity within our communities.”
– Andrew Sawyers, Director of the Office of Wastewater Management U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
“Philadelphia’s residents want quality water. Green City, Clean Waters has done a phenomenal job making sure our drinking water and local waterways are clean.”
– Randy E. Hayman, Esq., Commissioner & CEO, Philadelphia Water Department
Winners of the 2021 Excellence in GSI Awards include:
Public Project: 40th Street Trolley Portal
- Planning/ Design Team: Meliora Design, Andropogon Associates International Consulting Tillet Lighting Design Mulhern Consulting Engineers Group G Architects
- Client: University City District
Innovation: Green City Inlet Filter “Stormsacks”
- Primary: ACF Environmental
- Partners: Fabco Industries
- Client: Philadelphia Water Department
Best of Green City, Clean Waters Public Project: Wissinoming Park
- Planning/Design Team: Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc
- Client: Philadelphia Water Department
Best of Green City, Clean Waters Private Project: Cira Green
- Planning/Design: Erdy McHenry Architecture; Pennoni; Roofmeadow; Tim Haahs & Associates
- Client: Brandywine Realty Trust
Best of Green City, Clean Waters Innovation: Cira Green
- Planning/Design: Erdy McHenry Architecture; Pennoni; Roofmeadow; Tim Haahs & Associates
- Client: Brandywine Realty Trust
Thank you to our Annual GSI Partners Sponsors
