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$18 million was awarded to 28 projects under the first round of the Buildings of Excellence Competition which recognizes and supports the design, construction and operation of low-carbon emitting multifamily buildings. Two local projects were included among the recipients. Ithaca's Perdita Flats, was awarded $70,560, and in Trumansburg $932,280 was awarded to the Village Grove project that is being developed by Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services.

"Reducing harmful emissions from buildings is critically important to our carbon neutral future and a vital part of New York's aggressive strategy to curb the impacts of climate change and stimulate green economic development," Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said. "New York State is leading the nation through purposeful and strategic action and these replicable award-winning projects are at the core of reducing our carbon footprint and propelling the transition to low-carbon structures in communities across the state."

The Buildings of Excellence Competition was launched in March 2019 and received 53 proposals from across the state. While initial funding for this round was earmarked at $10 million, the response was so strong that NYSERDA added an additional $8 million to support round one winners. As part of the review process, each proposal had to demonstrate how the project achieves low carbon performance, is equipped with the ability for broad adoption, provides superior financial benefits for owners and offers a healthy and safe living environment for occupants. The projects selected will also provide comprehensive data on design, construction and cost that can be analyzed and shared to increase the number of low- to zero-carbon buildings in New York State.

NYSERDA President and CEO Alicia Barton said, "Public-private partnerships, such as those demonstrated through Buildings of Excellence, are helping to drive change across the state and are a key component of New York's transition to carbon neutral buildings and a green economy."

28 winning projects statewide include:

• Capital Region: $2.4 million for three projects
• Finger Lakes: $3.0 million for three projects
• Mid-Hudson: Approximately $790,000 for two projects
• New York City: Over $10 million for 18 projects
• Southern Tier: Over $1.0 million for two projects

The second round of the Buildings of Excellence Competition also launched Tuesday with up to $10 million available in funding available under two categories: Early Design, awards of up to $1,000,000 and Late Design, awards of up to $750,000. Eligible projects must meet low- to zero-carbon energy performance criteria and be easily replicable, profitable, comfortable and be located in one of the six electric investor-owned New York State utility company territories. Proposals are being accepted through April 2020, with awards expected to be announced in fall 2020.

The Buildings of Excellence competition is administered by NYSERDA with the support of an advisory council comprised of a cross-section of experts from the design, real estate and sustainability sectors with partners including American Institute of Architects New York State, ASHRAE and The Real Estate Board of New York.It is the only competition of its kind, with the awarded projects becoming part of a comprehensive data collection effort that will help determine how to cost-effectively deliver superior performing buildings that will serve as an essential building block of a carbon-neutral future and advance the design and construction of multi-family buildings.

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