Design or retrofit County facilities to be carbon neutral, zero waste and incorporate resilient construction techniques and materials.
Summary of objective implementation status
2021-2023 Initiatives
The County has made significant strides in sustainability and space optimization. Between 2021 and 2023, the Board of Supervisors adopted a new space standard of 170 square feet per person, reducing from the previous 250 square feet per person. This shift enables equitable workspace design while minimizing heating, cooling, and lighting demands. It also reduces material usage and the associated carbon footprint.
During this period, the County advanced plans for a new County Government Center, prioritizing footprint reduction. In 2023, the County seized an opportunity to lease with an option to purchase a 120,000-square-foot office building constructed in 2015. Reusing this energy-efficient building, originally designed as a corporate headquarters, saved millions in construction costs and avoided significant carbon emissions linked to new construction. The building features:
In addition, the County pursued energy and resilience upgrades to existing buildings, including a $1.7 million investment in the Santa Rosa Veterans Building, approved in February 2022. Contractors were also required to prioritize sustainable construction practices such as deconstruction, reclamation, and recycling.
2024 Initiatives
In 2024, the County implemented $28 million in carbon-reducing upgrades across more than 50 buildings. Key projects included:
Additionally, EV auto-charging stations were installed at the Main Campus, further advancing the County’s commitment to sustainability.
Key milestone update
Coordination and partnership update
This objective has direct impacts on several other objectives:
Community, equity and climate update
The new County government center project will be approached with methodology to maximize service delivery to the community with a focus on equity and triple net zero practices to minimize environmental impact.
Objective funding
The County utilized $100K in Strategic Plan funding to complete a Zero Waste Audit, plan and initial implementation.
County Administration Building
565 Administration Drive
Suite 104A.Santa Rosa, CA 95403
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