Title
Report on EcoDistricts from The Evergreen State College
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a report from The Evergreen State College students on the concept of creating an ecodistrict in Downtown Olympia.
Report
Issue:
Whether to hear a report from Evergreen students and faculty on exploring the creation of an ecodistrict south of the library in Downtown Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
Karen Gaul, Professor of Environmental Studies/Agriculture, The Evergreen State College
Students from The Evergreen State College
Background and Analysis:
On December 4, 2018, students and faculty of The Evergreen State College gave a presentation to a group of City Staff and Councilmembers on preliminary work related to creation of an ecodistrict on the blocks immediately south of library in an area commonly known as Fertile Grounds. This presentation featured a series of presentations from student groups that explored a variety of subjects related to creation of an ecodistrict on the Fertile Grounds block. The ideas presented were exciting and innovative and needed further development and discussion with the City.
Professor Karen Gaul of The Evergreen State College is guiding this project and will be present with a new group of students to present additional ideas about how the project might move forward. Professor Gaul and the students will be looking for feedback from the Committee and staff about their ideas.
EcoDistricts is a planning concept related to creating sustainable neighborhoods. According to Portland State University, "An EcoDistrict is a neighborhood or district with a broad commitment to accelerate neighborhood-scale sustainability where members commit to achieving ambitious performance goals, guide district investment and community action, and track their results over time."
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