Environmental sustainability
Our commitment to sustainability
Taking care of our environment is critical to ensure good health for our patients, employees and our community. Abbott Northwestern Hospital has taken many steps to reduce electricity usage and lower greenhouse gas emissions. More is on the way as we continue with major infrastructure projects.
What’s new
Central Utility Plant (CUP)
The new Central Utility Plant provides heating, cooling, power, and water for our hospital campus. We replaced an aging and less efficient system with a new, cleaner, highly efficient system. During construction of the CUP, we employed pollution control equipment to protect neighborhood air quality.
How have we made the CUP more efficient?
- Replaced 1950’s-era boilers with 2 energy-efficient boilers
- Replaced old emergency power generators with 3 energy-efficient generators
- Efficient generators = less diesel fuel used in the event of a major emergency
Additional features of the CUP
- The Central Utility Plant generates steam for Abbott Northwestern Hospital, the Children’s Minnesota hospital, and other neighbors. We use steam to sterilize medical instruments and heat our buildings. Sharing this resource creates an efficient local district for energy distribution.
- The CUP features rainwater capture systems to reduce strain on the local storm water system.
Purple Parking Ramp
The Purple Parking Ramp is a transportation hub for multiple modes of transportation, a community solar garden and more.
Sustainability features
Pollinator Plantings
With the help of a Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) Action Grant of $50,000, Allina Health planted native, pollinator-friendly plantings along the Purple Parking Ramp’s 5,000-square-foot slope near the Midtown Greenway. The new pollinator habitat includes carefully selected plants based on their bloom time and ability to grow well and prevent erosion on a steep slope. A host of vibrant pollinator plantings—purple coneflower, Muskingum dogwood, rough blazing star, to name a few—now greets hospital patients and local residents.
- Reduce storm water while decreasing erosion
- Support the lives of pollinators
- Add to the vibrancy of the Midtown Phillips neighborhood
Learn more about these pollinator-friendly plantings.
Community Solar Garden
Cooperative Energy Futures built a solar roof on the Purple Parking Ramp. This community solar garden allows residents to subscribe to solar power and get a credit on their Xcel Energy bill. Approximately one megawatt of electricity is generated by our solar garden. That’s enough energy to power 150-180 homes.
Image of the community solar garden on the roof of the Purple Parking Ramp. Source: Eagle Eye Photography
Community Promenade
Along the Midtown Greenway, a sidewalk promenade connects Chicago Avenue and Elliot Avenue. This space creates a more vibrant street level and is adjacent to a pollinator garden with native plants that will attract pollinators and manage storm water.
Concept drawing of a new promenade along the Transportation Hub on Chicago Avenue, adjacent to the Greenway.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- Electric vehicles can charge in the Purple Parking Ramp.
- The ramp has 20 convenient EV charging stations.
Support for Multimodal Transportation
Multi-modal transportation includes a variety of ways travelers get to and from their destination. We are doing our part to help get our employees to work while also reducing transport emissions.
- How does the Purple Parking Ramp complement multimodal transportation?
- Location along Chicago Ave Bus Rapid Transit Line promotes public transportation.
- Bike-to-Work features include employee entrance from the Greenway, bike lockers, bike storage, and showers.
- Connects commuters who use ride-sharing and other alternatives, including our FLEXcommute program.
Alternatives to Driving to Work Alone - FLEXcommute
In November 2019, Allina Health launched a commuter program called FLEXcommute, powered by Luum, to promote alternatives to driving to work alone.
- Features of the employee incentive program include:
- Telework options for many positions
- More amenities for bike riders
- Support of multi-modal transportation
- Financial subsidies for public transportation
- An employee smart phone app to choose alternatives to single-occupant vehicles
Walking and Biking
- Advocating for the Greenway
- The Greenway bike path is a central feature of Midtown and runs through the Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Allina Health headquarters campus. The Allina Health Community Engagement team works with the Midtown Greenway Coalition, neighborhood associations, and City, County, and State officials to advocate for the path and the residents who live alongside it.
Transit
- Our location:
- The new Purple Parking Ramp supports multimodal transit for hospital employees and other campus guests—including Bus Rapid Transit lines.
- Bus Rapid Transit D and B Lines:
Learn more about environmental sustainability efforts at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Allina Health.