Building Energy Audit Work

WC Cool District; we have started the building energy audit work with the assistance of Arup. The initial benchmarking work is done. It is estimated that the energy usage so far indicates that the District buildings is producing 335,000 tons of CO2 per year. The current goal by 2025 is to reduce our district’s CO2 by 30% to 235,500 tons per year. Arup is currently conducting about 12 preliminary assessment level audits for buildings within the District. ARUP has done 3 residential buildings and 9 commercial buildings so far. Reductions from 10% to 60% are possible on the residential buildings, and 20% to 40% reductions on the commercial side are possible, with a 3 year simple pay-back.

CRA has agreed to assist in the funding of the Cool District program for about $250,000; in addition, the Mayor’s office has submitted an application for us to the Feds for an additional $150,000 from a Federal program. When the CRA funds become available we will be expanding the number of energy audits that we can provide to building owners. If you are interested in a free preliminary energy audit for your building please email us at info@wilshirecenter.com.

Wilshire Center Carbon Master Plan

As part of the Cool District program, CRA is funding the development of the District’s Carbon Master Plan. The plan is a way to articulate a low carbon vision for the District. The vision and plan is to transform the District into a thriving sustainable residential and business community. Building energy efficiency, renewable energy and district heating and cooling are part of the master plan. The Carbon Master Plan will also address water use, water and solid waste management, open space and gardening, bicycle sharing, and public transportation. Envision the year 2030, where buildings are retrofitted to include roof-top gardens and solar panels, one-way tertiary streets with bike paths and permeable pavement, and rain planters along primary streets to supplement the stormwater infrastructure. The plan shown here is just the start of the visioning discussion that will take place throughout this year.

Green Community and Bike Center

Along with CRA, we are exploring a concept for a green center. To help tell the Cool District story and to get greater participation we are proposing a green community and bike center, the Green Action Center. The center will be a place where individuals can get products to help them save energy and water; it will also have a variety of information on recycling, composting, bike routes, bus and train routes, bike sharing, bike parking, and more on how to reduce one's carbon footprint. We are looking to possibly work with LADWP, Gas Co, MTA, LA Bicycle Coalition, CICLE, DOT, LA Environmental Affairs and a number of energy saving product companies. We are currently in discussion about a facility at the Wilshire Vermont Station with the owners of the complex.

Wilshire Center Bike Sharing Program

A good example of is Portland Bike Sharing Program.   Another part of the Cool District program is the bike sharing study that was completed by the students at SCI-Arc incorporating public surveys, field surveys, and case studies to evaluate the possibility of implementing bike sharing stations in conjunction with three subway stations, educational institutions and key commercial outlets. Among the goals for implementing such a system is to allow Angelenos to be less dependent on automobiles as their primary mode of transportation, thus reducing vehicular congestion and air pollution levels in the District. This program is part of MTA's “First-Mile, Last-Mile Solutions". We are in discussion with MTA to implement a bike sharing program within the District.

The study’s street research suggests bike sharing within the District would be a desirable transit option for residents, visitors, students and business because many people who live, work and often visit the area welcome a bike sharing program. The class conducted 160 on-site surveys between September 25 and October 15, 2009. Among the people we interviewed, 68 out of 160 interviewees would like Wilshire Center to adopt a bike sharing program.

4th Street as a Bicycle Boulevard

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, C.I.C.L.E. (Cyclists Inciting Change through Live Exchange), and a team of people are working on a campaign to transform 4th Street from Hoover Street in Wilshire Center to Cochran Avenue in Hancock Park into a Bicycle Boulevard. Bicycle Boulevards are shared roadways that create an attractive, convenient, and comfortable environment that are welcoming to cyclists, pedestrians, and differently abled people of all ages and skill levels. 4th street from Hoover to Norton has already been repaved and it is designated in the new city Bike Plan Map as a “Bike-Friendly Street.” The Coalition received the Board’s support to have 4th Street designated as a Bicycle Boulevard, conditional upon further study being done as to how it would affect nearby streets.

Shatto Pocket Park

Shatto Pocket Park is proposed along Shatto between 6th & Wilshire working with new Junior High across the street, Eco Vilage, UDLA, CRA, WCKNC and others.

Stormwater Program

We are also exploring a stormwater program for our district with Mr. Wing Tam, Assistant Division Manager Watershed Protection Division of LA, Christine S.E. Magar, RA, AIA, LEED AP with Greenform, and Krista Sloniowski, a USC professor, along with her students.