About The Ecodistrict

MISSION: The Capitol Hill EcoDistrict is a community-driven effort that promotes a socially equitable, environmentally resilient and culturally vibrant neighborhood.

The Capitol Hill EcoDistrict is a neighborhood-based sustainability initiative serving the most densely populated urban village in the Pacific Northwest. It is led by Capitol Hill Housing, a community development corporation and public development authority with nearly four decades of experience working alongside Capitol Hill stakeholders to enhance community health and affordability.

The EcoDistrict works in partnership with the local community to test and deploy innovative solutions that address Capitol Hill’s most pressing sustainability challenges. We look to cities around the globe for inventive approaches to centering neighborhood development around long-term health for people and the planet.

Joel Sisolak, Director
Alex Brennan, Senior Planner
McCaela Daffern, Sustainability Manager

CURRENT ECODISTRICT GOALS

Build cultural and climate resilience
Engage renters as neighborhood and city leaders
Right-size parking and increase mobility
Improve the health and safety of public spaces
Inform new development with EcoDistrict priorities
Promote resource conservation

PERFORMANCE AREAS

The goals and objectives of the EcoDistrict are grouped under eight social, environmental and cultural performance areas:

Water Water
Conserve potable water; reduce black water production and polluted runoff
  • REDUCE POLLUTED RUNOFF WITHIN THE DISTRICT
  • REDUCE POTABLE WATER CONSUMPTION
  • TREAT WATER TO BE FIT FOR USE
  • MAINTAIN AVAILABILITY, RELIABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF WATER
Habitat Habitat
Enrich urban habitat within the EcoDistrict and surrounding neighborhoods to promote biodiversity
  • PROTECT AND REGENERATE HABITAT
  • PRIORITIZE NATIVE VEGETATION
  • CREATE HABITAT CONNECTIVITY
  • PROMOTE NATURE-FRIENDLY DESIGN
  • PRIORITIZE HABITAT-CREATING, FLEXIBLE OPEN SPACES
Culture Culture
Foster neighborhood identity through a well-designed built environment and support of local arts & artists
  • PROMOTE HIGH QUALITY DESIGN AND PRESERVE HISTORIC CHARACTER
  • CREATE SPACES THAT PROMOTE SOCIAL INTERACTION
  • PRESERVE AFFORDABLE SPACES FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION
  • RESPECT LOCAL COMMUNITY CHARACTER DIVERSITY AND VALUES
Energy Energy
Reduce non-renewable energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions
  • IMPROVE ENERGY PERFORMANCE IN NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS
  • OPTIMIZE INFRASTRUCTURE EFFICIENCIES
  • REDUCE MIX OF ENERGY GENERATED FROM FOSSIL FUELS
  • INCREASE MIX OF RENEWABLES
Materials Materials
Reduce the negative environmental impacts of materials through conservation and diversion
  • REDUCE MATERIAL USE
  • REDUCE SOLID WASTE – MAXIMIZE REUSE, SALVAGE, RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING
  • MAXIMIZE USE OF RECYCLED AND SALVAGED MATERIALS
  • ENCOURAGE LOCAL/REGIONAL PRODUCT CHOICES
Transportation Transportation
Maximize opportunities for walking, biking and transit use
  • PRIORITIZE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
  • MAXIMIZE ACCESS TO LOW CO2 OPTIONS
  • REDUCE VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED
  • INCREASE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLING SAFETY
  • IMPROVE WAY FINDING
Health Health
Promote human health and community wellbeing
  • PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY
  • ENSURE ACCESS TO HEALTHY, LOCAL AND AFFORDABLE FOOD
  • CREATE SPACES AND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
  • PROMOTE BIOPHILIC DESIGN
  • ENCOURAGE SOCIAL COHESION
Equity Equity
Ensure the fair distribution of benefits and burdens of investment and development
  • ENGAGE UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN ECODISTRICT DECISION-MAKING
  • INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE
  • PRESERVE AND EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL SPACES
  • ENSURE ACCESS TO PUBLIC SPACES AND SERVICES