CityWay, a new 14-acre neighborhood in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, is incorporating a number of sustainable initiatives into the new community, including plentiful green space, energy and water efficiency, a recycling program, enhanced indoor environmental quality, carpooling and electric vehicle support. It is also pursuing LEED certification for the new Alexander Hotel, a Dolce Hotel, affirming CityWay's support for environmentally-conscious design, construction and living for downtown.

"Sustainable living and working are central to the vision for CityWay. From the construction phase through its completion, CityWay will remain on the forefront of environmentally-friendly practices, and it will allow residents and visitors to maintain an environmentally-friendly lifestyle," said Scott Travis, senior development director of Buckingham Companies.

CityWay, which encompasses an art hotel, green space, new state-of-the-art YMCA, apartments, restaurants, retail and office space, is transforming previously underutilized land north of South Street into a vibrant neighborhood within walking distance of many of Indianapolis' largest employers and cultural districts.

CityWay's sustainability initiatives will deliver:

• Green space: CityWay will include significant landscaped areas, vegetated rain gardens, light-colored hardscape areas to reduce heating effects and ample trees that will develop into a mature tree canopy. The buildings have been designed to maximize the use of natural light, and pedestrian pathways will be provided, including a connection to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
• Energy and water efficient design: CityWay will reduce water use by more than 20 percent through the use of water efficient fixtures. CityWay is also incorporating energy efficient appliances, LED light fixtures and occupancy controls in rooms to minimize energy consumption during non-occupied times. The project also uses local resources whenever possible to reduce the environmental impacts resulting from transportation of building materials.
• Storm water control: Through the installation of a storm water collection system, CityWay will reduce storm water runoff, as well as virtually eliminate the need to use potable water for landscape irrigation. The hotel roof drain system will collect in a 2,500-gallon cistern that will be used to irrigate vegetation throughout the hotel site. In addition, any storm water on the site that is not reused or infiltrated through the use of rain gardens will be treated and discharged directly into Pogue's Run, a dedicated City storm water system, thereby reducing the impact on the City's combined sewer system.
• Recycling: CityWay will integrate an easily-accessible recycling program for paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics and metals in multiple locations throughout the community. Furthermore, sustainable practices are being used during construction, such as reusing crushed concrete and asphalt from the former parking lot and on-site demolition as clean backfill and base for the new building foundations.Enhanced indoor environmental quality: Construction plans will engage LEED certified low-emitting materials, including adhesives, paints and flooring; operations plans contain a sophisticated carbon-dioxide monitoring system in densely-occupied spaces and restrictions on tobacco usage 25 feet from any entrance.
• Carpooling and electric vehicle support: CityWay will dedicate a portion of all parking spaces as preferred parking for low-emitting and/or fuel-efficient vehicles and carpool drop-off and pick-up zones. CityWay will also install electrical vehicle charging stations throughout the neighborhood.

The aforementioned initiatives will each contribute to the LEED certification application for The Alexander Hotel. The LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, rating system is designed by the U.S. Green Building Council to recognize effective green and sustainability strategies in building design and construction. 

Read more about home certification and accreditation.