Beverly Hills Installs First ‘Green Street’

A three-block median in Beverly Hills is thriving as the city’s first ‘green street,’ just in time for this month’s unusually wet weather. As Tabor Brewster reports in Beverly Press, “The Burton Way green street and water efficient landscape project is in the final stages of testing and is set to officially open at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Rexford Mini Park on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m.”

The project is expected to reduce water pollution and water consumption by collecting rainwater and runoff. “According to environmental compliance and sustainability program manager Josette Descalzo, the project features a storm drain that will divert water – from both rain and excess irrigation – into the median on Burton Way. From there, the water will be filtered by two 15-foot-wide vegetated channels also known as bioswales.”

According to Mayor Julian Gold, the city plans to install more similar projects to meet its sustainability goals. “[California] emergency water regulations also require Beverly Hills to reduce its water consumption by 32%, and this project will save about 5 million gallons of water annually, according to the city.”