A downtown Grand Rapids coalition plans to cut total energy use in half by 2030.
The Grand Rapids 2030 District looks to reduce energy usage of existing buildings by 50 percent in the next 15 years, with an immediate 50 percent goal for new construction.
Officials say target numbers are determined by 2003 benchmark data.
The district’s close to 40 founding members officially launched the initiative this week, which includes reductions in water and energy use as well as transportation emissions. Grand Rapids joins 11 other 2030 cities in North America, such as Dallas, San Francisco and Toronto.
City leaders say district boundaries include the downtown business core, Grand Rapid Public Schools Innovation Campus, Grand Rapids Downtown Market and much of the Creston Business District.
Initiative partners include Rockford Construction, Spectrum Health, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and the city of Grand Rapids as well as multiple property management firms, education and research institutions, and community organizations.
