The following report outlines sustainability best practices that can be implemented in Beaver. In addition, these recommendations can be used as a marketing tool to promote and educate sustainable best practices to other business districts. The “Sustainable Toolkit” developed is intended to serve as the starting point for Beaver’s Sustainable Vision Plan, but can be tailored to meet the needs of any community committed to a more sustainable future.

1. Sustainable Beaver May 2, 2012
Gabriela Luongo
Rosa Rendon
Business District Elia Sorice

2. The importance of third places
As alternatives to the social
environments of home and work,
Third Places are essential to public life,
local democracy & community vitality
www.playborhood.com
http://www.pps.org
2

3. Agenda
 Introduction
 Sustainable Toolkit
 Toolkit Implementation
 Final Thoughts
3

4. Beaver in a Snapshot
40 miles NW from Pittsburgh
Population: 5,144
Town Amenities:
• Fort McIntosh
• Beaver Area Heritage
Museum
• Farmer’s Market
National Register of Historic
Places (1997)
4

5. Beaver Business District Model of
Sustainability
With 75 businesses, the
Beaver Business District has
taken several steps towards a
sustainable future
 Downtown First
Certification
Business District Profile
 Duquesne Light Grant 9%
20%
1%
 Street furniture 34%
maintenance 36%
Food service Municipal Service
Retail Business Service Business 5
Vacant

6. Stakeholders Analysis
Carnegie Mellon Residents
Sustainable
Supporters Beaver Business Beneficiaries
District
Duquesne Light Visitors
Business District Town Center
Beaver Borough
Authority Associates
Active Stakeholders
6

7. Agenda
 Introduction
 Sustainable Toolkit
 Toolkit Implementation
 Final Thoughts
7

8. Sustainable Toolkit
Energy Street Stormwater Recycling Community
Efficiency Furniture Management Engagement
8

9. Energy Efficiency
Light Emitting Diode
(LED) benefits:
 Energy efficiency
 Safety
LED Uses:
 Traffic lights
 Building outdoor up-lighting
 Gardens and trees
 Information purposes
9

10. Street Furniture
Bike Racks
 Promotes walkability and
different mean of
transportation
Planters & Hanging
Flowers
 Manages stormwater
runoff
 Improves the public
realm
Awnings
 Reduce energy demands
Community Identifiers
 Create civic pride
10

11. Stormwater Management
Bioswales / Silva Cell Beaver Trees
 Provides onsite storm
water treatment
 Allows growth for large
trees
Rain Barrels
 Decreases runoff to
stormwater sewers
 Captures water for
landscaping & irrigation
 Serves as example for
homeowners
http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/using-pervious-pavers-with-the-silva- 11
cell-system

12. Stormwater Management
Pervious Pavement
 Manages stormwater
runoff
 Prevents soil erosion
 Filters contaminants
Non-Pervious
Pervious
http://electricalandplumbingsystems.wordpress.com/storm-water-system/ 12
http://www.morrisbeacon.com/blog/?p=185

13. Existing Alley Conditions
Water, sediments, and
pollutants are directed towards
storm sewers through
downspouts.
Impervious pavement collects
water and prevents
groundwater recharge.
13

14. Rain Barrels Implementation
Rain barrels help reduce the
quantity of water that enters
stormwater drainage systems
Pervious pavement reduces
quantity and improves quality
of stormwater runoff, allowing
for groundwater recharge.
14

15. Recycling
Beaver Trash Cans
Currently there is no system of
Recycling in Beaver Borough
Solar Compact Trash Bins
 Reduces trash collection by 80%
Solar Compact Trash Bins
 Saves money by reducing fuel costs
and improving recycling
opportunities.
http://bostinno.com/2011/02/02/bigbelly-doubles-revenues 15
http://www.phillydesignblog.com/2009/05/big-belly/

16. Community Engagement
Educate Through Events
Experience
Engage residents to reduce
negative impact on the
environment
Experience Downtown by
integrating new sustainable Engage Educate
practices
Educate through events & create
Downtown as central community
location.

17. Community Engagement
Bike Lanes and Bike
Racks
 Create a community
competition for original
bike racks
 Involve the whole
community (not only
downtown)
 Organize Bike to Work
and School Day
 Implement programs for
young population to
encourage walkability
17

18. Community Engagement
Suggested Events:
 Earth Day Festivities
 Rain Barrels Art Exposition
 Raffle Rain Barrels
 First Friday in Downtown
18

19. Agenda
 Introduction
 Sustainable Toolkit
 Toolkit Implementation
 Final Thoughts
19

20. Toolkit Implementation
Phase I (0 – 1 year)
Phase II (2 – 3 years)
- Rain barrels
- Bike racks Phase III (3 – 5 years)
- LED outdoor up-lighting
- Community Identifiers - LED crosswalks - Parallel parking
- LED retrofitting - Bike racks - Bike signage
- Awnings & Planters - Retractable awnings
- Education programs - Bioswales / Silva cells
- Recycling bins - Median
20

21. Existing Conditions
40’ Beaver Clock Tower
21

22. Phase I
LED Retrofit Bicycle Racks Rain Barrels Solar Compacting Education
Awnings & Trash Bin Programs
Planters
Community 22
Identifiers

23. Phase II
LED Uplighting Awnings & Bioswales/ Solar Suggested
LED Crosswalks Planters Rain Gardens Compacting Community
Bicycle Racks Pervious Trash Bin Events
Pavement 23

24. Phase III
LED Uplighting Awnings & Bioswales/ Solar Annual
LED Crosswalks Planters Rain Gardens Compacting Community
Bicycle Racks Parallel Trash Bin Events
Parking 24

25. Existing Conditions
25

26. Phase I
LED retrofitting has
significant cost
saving benefits
Retractable awnings
reduce energy
demands
Planters improve the
quality of the public
realm
26

27. Phase II
LED uplighting
improves energy
efficiency and
illuminate downtown
businesses
Bioswales and rain
gardens reduce
stormwater runoff
and allows for
groundwater
recharge 27

28. Phase III
Parallel parking
Bike racks
encourage
alternative modes 28
of transportation

29. Next steps
1. Organize a task force
• Include all Stakeholders
2. Adopt a guiding principle or framework
• Implement “sustainable toolkit”
3. Appoint a Director of Sustainable Development
• Create accountability for success
4. Secure sources of funding and consultation
• Pennsylvania’s Main Street Program
• Coordinate with local waste management
5. Promote sustainable vision
• Encourage civic engagement and education municipality-wide
• Share best practices with surrounding communities 29

30. Sustainable Beaver May 2, 2012
Gabriela Luongo
Rosa Rendon
Business District Elia Sorice