Urban Land Institute Honors Lee County for Sustainability Efforts
Lee County was honored during the 4th Annual Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida District Council’s Sustainability Symposium on Oct. 7.
Lee County’s sustainability efforts include both internal and external focuses. The county, a major energy user, has reduced electricity costs over the last several years through better management of equipment, thermostat controls and solar panels. Efforts to design streets safe and accessible for transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians as well as motorists include revisions to the county’s capital planning process to feature “complete streets” and collaborate planning. A transit task force also is looking at ways to make transit options more available and efficient.
Lee County Sustainability Programs Manager Tessa LeSage received ULI’s Trailblazer Award for establishing Lee County’s Office of Sustainability and the developing the Complete Streets Interdepartmental Performance Team (IPT). This effort set a precedent for a more collaborative approach to decision-making within Lee County, as opposed to planning by department, which saves time, money and resources.
Among the award jurors’ comments: “The winner for the Trailblazer Award shows great promise at spearheading the difficult task of bridging silos of an organization and developing a new culture of sustainability.”
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners and the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization were also honored with ULI’s Impact Award for the Lee County Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiative. The Board and the MPO, with strong grassroots support, have adopted complete streets and bicycle/pedestrian accommodation policies and are implementing Lee County’s first comprehensive Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan.
Among the jurors’ comments: “The Impact Award winner, the Lee County Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiative, has shown how to link progressive planning with decisive action; action that has tremendous societal, environmental and health benefits for the county.”