Environmental Sustainability Project
"The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), a New York State public finance and development authority, enlisted the assistance of the Capstone team to investigate sustainable development opportunities, incentives, and best practices. Research was conducted using two nonprofit cultural institutions as case studies: the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan and the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Sullivan County. Through extensive telephone interviews and site visits, the team identified areas at both facilities where building and/or site performance upgrades could be applied. Federal, state, and local policies were assessed to understand any regulatory or institutional obstacles encountered at the facilities with regard to energy efficiency. The team developed a userfriendly catalogue/database of energysaving financial incentives and technologies that can be applied to developments in New York State. Recommendations included in the final report take into consideration the challenges posed by the urban and rural contexts of the respective case study institutions. The report will enable ESDC to better promote sustainable development practices. "