City of Glendale and McKinstry Recognized by Arizona Forward for Environmental Excellence

GLENDALE, Ariz. – [March 24, 2025] – The City of Glendale was honored as a finalist in the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards for a citywide infrastructure improvement project delivered in partnership with McKinstry.

The project team was celebrated at the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards gala on March 21, which honors projects across Arizona that demonstrate leadership in sustainability, innovation and community impact.

The recognition highlights a $10.2 million investment by the City of Glendale to modernize lighting, mechanical and solar systems across nine public facilities, improving comfort and reliability for residents and staff while reducing long-term operating costs and environmental impact. The upgrades support essential city services that operate around the clock, including emergency response, recreation and public safety.

Working closely with city leaders and staff, McKinstry implemented upgrades designed to minimize disruption to daily operations while keeping critical services fully functional. Improvements included LED lighting conversions, advanced mechanical system upgrades and solar installations that generate clean energy while providing shaded parking.

“This recognition reflects what’s possible when cities take a forward-thinking approach to their infrastructure,” said Cliff Faraci, operations manager at McKinstry. “We’re proud to partner with the City of Glendale to deliver upgrades that reduce energy use and create more resilient spaces for the community.”

Several high-use community facilities received upgrades across lighting, mechanical systems and solar installations, including the Adult Center, Advocacy Center, Civic Center and Civic Center Annex, Fire Station 151, Fire Support Services, the Park-and-Ride, the Foothills Recreation and Aquatic Center (FRAC) and the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC). At FRAC, new chillers and upgraded controls improve temperature and humidity management for visitors and staff, while a solar carport provides renewable energy and relief from extreme heat. Lighting upgrades at Fire Station 151 and GRPSTC support safer, more dependable conditions for first responders and community users.

The project is expected to save the City of Glendale nearly $250,000 annually, allowing funds to be reinvested in community priorities. Additional benefits include renewable energy generated from three solar arrays producing 1.72 million kilowatt-hours annually, offsetting a significant portion of electricity use at select sites, along with more than $1 million in rebates and federal incentives.

“This recognition is a reflection of our team’s commitment to the people we serve every day,” said Michelle Woytenko, field operations director for the City of Glendale. “We are modernizing spaces that are safer, more comfortable and built to last. Plus, the energy savings allow us to reinvest in the community.”

Through strategic investment and strong collaboration, the City of Glendale and McKinstry delivered a future-focused approach to public infrastructure that supports healthier, more efficient and resilient spaces for residents today and for generations to come.

About McKinstry

McKinstry is a national leader in designing, constructing, operating and maintaining high-performing buildings. From new construction and ongoing operations to adaptive reuse and energy retrofits, the company provides a single point of accountability across the entire building lifecycle. McKinstry focuses on people and outcomes to ensure the built environment serves owners, operators and occupants alike. McKinstry is your trusted partner for the life of your building. Learn more at www.mckinstry.com.