DATE: January 6, 2015
CONTACT: Maribel Feliciano, Planning Administrator
Planning and Redevelopment Division
PHONE: 954-519-1424 CELL: 954-770-4501
EMAIL: mfeliciano@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Employees of Broward County Government now have the ability to charge their electric vehicles at work. An area in the Government Center West (GCW) parking garage has been designated for staff with electric vehicles to park and recharge their batteries. The spots were made available as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge, which calls on employers to make a bold commitment to provide plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging access to their workforce. The County was recently recognized by the Department of Energy for leadership in promoting the expansion of PEV infrastructure through the Comprehensive Plan implementation strategy and for its participation in the Workplace Charging Challenge. The County, through the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact, was also recognized by the White House as one of 16 designated Climate Action Champions. Broward was selected because of its strong efforts to address climate change that serve as models for other communities.
Earlier last year, the Planning and Redevelopment Division and the Public Works Facilities Management Division conducted a survey to understand employee demand for electric vehicle charging. The site at GCW is just the beginning. More charging stations are planned for other County facilities, extending the benefit to additional employees. These efforts complement the Government Center West Green Showcase initiative. Through the installation of new technologies coupled with a dedication to green sustainable practices, the GCW Green Showcase:
• Highlights renewable energy technologies and sustainable building practices to the public
• Serves as a model for public-private collaboration
• Reduces the building’s carbon footprint.
About Planning and Redevelopment:
The Planning and Redevelopment Division leads and participates in multiple programs, including managing the County's sustainability and redevelopment planning initiatives; coordinating corridor redevelopment plans that will increase the tax base; preparing and administering elements of the Broward County Comprehensive Plan; participating in Municipal Services District area redevelopment; coordinating the implementation of Complete Streets; supporting the County’s renewable energy and climate resiliency initiatives; promoting compliance with community standards in Municipal Services District areas through enforcement of applicable zoning codes and regulations; administering the Broward County Land Development Code; and overseeing site plan review for the Municipal Services District. The Division also evaluates rezoning requests, land use plan amendments and land use compatibility reviews; maintains demographic and economic databases; conducts research and analyses; develops Geographic Information System (GIS) applications; and coordinates the County’s GIS Program. For more information visit Broward.org/Regulation.
About Public Works Facilities Management:
The Public Works Facilities Management Division has established an organization comprised of both public and private concerns with the primary objective of obtaining maximum operating time and use of Broward County facilities and equipment at minimum cost – long range. A key element of this objective is methods and productivity improvements through the development of in-house capabilities, while making the most cost effective use of in-house staff and private contractors.