Volume 29 · Number 2 · Winter 2012
UC Davis West Village: Collaboration counts
There are many players in the creation of West Village.
Grant funding for investigating the feasibility of the West Village energy initiative came from the U.S. Department of Energy's Community Renewable Energy Deployment program, the California Public Utility Commission's California Solar Initiative, and the California Energy Commission's PIER Renewable-Based Energy Secure Community program.
Karen Douglas, a commissioner with the California Energy Commission, said that UC Davis is demonstrating the "leadership and innovation needed to transform our energy system." West Village, she said, will serve as "a living laboratory for UC Davis students, preparing them for clean energy careers," and a shining example for other communities seeking sustainable ways to use energy.
PG&E, Chevron Energy Solutions, Energy+Environmental Engineering and Davis Energy Group, together with UC Davis faculty and staff, played key roles in the zero net energy planning and feasibility studies. Under the neighborhood master plan for West Village, a future construction phase could include another 1,158 student beds and 132 single-family homes on 75 additional acres. No timeline has been set for this phase.
West Village is a public-private partnership between UC Davis and the West Village Community Partnership, LLC, a joint venture led by Carmel Partners with their partner, Urban Villages. The developer has a 65-year ground lease with the university for the project.
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