ASU receives top sustainability awards from Arizona Forward
In addition to state-of-the-art fitness features, the Sun Devil Fitness Complex on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus houses the ASU School of Nutrition and Health Promotion’s Exercise & Wellness program on the second floor and includes a rooftop pool.
Arizona State University received two first-place Crescordia awards at the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards, which honor projects focused on improving sustainability in Arizona. The 35th annual awards gala was held Sept. 12 at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix.
Presented as a partnership with Salt River Project, this year’s event featured eight awards categories that included more than 120 entries from across the state. ASU took home two of the 17 first-place Crescordia awards and one of the 31 Awards of Merit.
“The Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the physical environment of our local communities and is a benchmark for promoting sustainability, conserving natural resources and preserving our desert environment for future generations," said Bruce Nevel, associate vice president of ASU Facilities Development and Management.
ASU’s redevelopment of College Avenue on the Tempe campus took top honors in the site-development category. ASU Facilities Management Grounds/Recycling received the SRP Award for Environmental Stewardship. The Downtown Phoenix Sun Devil Fitness Complex also received an award of merit in the buildings and structures category.
Site development (public sector): College Avenue — Redeveloped as a partnership with the City of Tempe, the section of College Avenue from University Drive to Veteran’s Way features increased walkability, bicyclists’ access, lighting and event space. The development incorporates the adaptive reuse of nearby vacant buildings and land such as the Art Annex and the addition of the LEED gold-certified College Avenue Commons. The corridor takes advantage of a single concrete-paving design to blend indoor and outdoor spaces. The space also is close to major transit options, such as Valley Metro bus and light rail, which provides a safe and vibrant pedestrian environment.
SRP Award for Environmental Stewardship: ASU Facilities Management Grounds Services/Recycling — The grounds and recycling programs have actively contributed to the university’s zero waste and sustainability goals. Both programs’ efforts have grown in scale and impact within the last ten years. Some of these initiatives include: compost of all green landscape waste at Singh Farms and the collection of coffee grounds to be used for fertilizer on campus, repurposed cooking oil to power grounds equipment, and the creation of a blue bag recycling program to complement the current commingled blue recycle bins on campus.
Buildings and structures (Award of Merit): Downtown Phoenix campus Sun Devil Fitness Complex — Constructed in direct response to student feedback, the 73,800-square-foot recreation center boasts modern fitness and weight areas, a two-court gymnasium, an indoor track and a rooftop swimming pool. The complex also houses the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion’s Exercise & Wellness program on the second floor. Energy efficient resources such as a variable refrigerant flow air system and natural day-lighting complete this state-of-the-art facility.
Arizona Forward is a local association for public and private sector entities that works to advance sustainability and improve the environment through thoughtful advocacy.
Pedro Silva, p.silva@asu.edu
ASU Business and Finance