Eden Prairie has received a statewide honor for its commitment to sustainability, earning the Best of B3 Award at Minnesota’s 2025 Buildings, Benchmarks and Beyond (B3) Recognition Event held June 18.
The annual event recognizes public-sector organizations that show leadership in sustainable building design and operations. Eden Prairie was singled out for a series of energy-efficiency upgrades made across multiple city facilities – improvements that city officials say will reduce environmental impact and generate long-term savings.
The Best of B3 Awards are part of the state’s Buildings, Benchmarks and Beyond program, which tracks and improves energy performance in public buildings. The program encourages cities, counties and schools to reduce energy use, cut emissions and operate facilities more sustainably.
“These upgrades not only reduce our environmental impact but also result in long-term cost savings for taxpayers,” Mayor Ron Case said in a statement. “We’re proud to be recognized as a leader in sustainable municipal operations.”
Among the projects cited:
- City Center: Replaced boilers and upgraded to LED smart lighting, improving energy efficiency by 25%.
- Maintenance Facility: Installed six high-efficiency rooftop HVAC units.
- Community Center: Added a high-efficiency air handling unit for Ice Rink No. 1.
- Fire Station No. 1: Completed a full HVAC overhaul, including new boilers, water heater, rooftop unit and airflow system.
- Senior Center: Upgraded two rooftop HVAC units to high-efficiency models.
- Round Lake Park Building: Replaced a 40-year-old structure with a new building featuring solar panels, a green roof and geothermal heating and cooling.
The B3 program, launched in 2001 by the State of Minnesota, promotes sustainable design and energy-efficient operations in public buildings.
More information about Eden Prairie’s environmental efforts is available on the city’s website.
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