FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2025
City of Charlottesville Tackles Energy and Water Efficiency Upgrades at Downtown Facilities
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The City of Charlottesville has started lighting and plumbing efficiency fixture upgrades at City Hall, City Hall Annex, and Herman Key Jr. Recreation Center. These projects will reduce energy and water usage, reduce utility costs, and help the City make progress towards reaching its greenhouse gas reduction goals (45% reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050).
In September 2025, the City of Charlottesville began a comprehensive capital improvement project at three downtown City facilities to upgrade inefficient lighting and plumbing fixtures to models that use less energy and water. Older lighting technology (fluorescent and halogen) throughout City Hall, City Hall Annex, and the Herman Key Jr. Recreation Center are being replaced with highly efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights, occupancy sensors, and dimming controls. This will allow occupants to adjust lighting while minimizing energy use and saving on operational expenses. Toilets and urinals are being upgraded to effective WaterSense labeled models with lower flush rates, using 20% less water. Low flow aerators are being installed on restroom faucets to limit excessive water use while providing adequate pressure for handwashing. Additionally, the project will replace a rooftop heat pump unit that provides cooling to the second floor area of the recreation center. Together, these measures will annually save 75 metric tons of carbon equivalent (MtCO2e) and 46,700 cubic feet of water as well as nearly $22,000 in utility costs.
Improving the performance of municipal buildings is a key action in the Charlottesville 2023 Climate Action Plan. A number of energy efficiency opportunities were identified through technical energy audits of City and school facilities. The current project at the downtown City facilities is being conducted under an energy saving performance contract with CMTA Energy Solutions. CMTA, a Legence company, is a multi-service practice focused on mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), technology engineering, performance contracting and zero energy/zero carbon solutions.
“This is a win-win for the City. These upgrades will not only improve the occupant experience but also lower electricity and water costs at these facilities, reduce our carbon footprint, and move us closer to meeting our greenhouse gas reduction goals,” says Kirk Vizzier, Energy Management Coordinator for the City of Charlottesville.
The longer useful lifespan and lower maintenance requirements of LEDs will also provide operational savings as the LEDs will not need to be replaced as often as fluorescent lighting. This allows the City’s facilities maintenance staff to focus on other priorities rather than replacing light bulbs. It also eliminates the need for regulated collection and handling of the fluorescent bulbs by a third party. Additionally, operational and maintenance savings, and improved HVAC system reliability, will be realized through the replacement of a 20-year-old heat pump at the recreation center.
The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2026.
Before and after:
Media Contact
Kirk Vizzier
Energy Management Coordinator
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3348
Vizzierk@charlottesville.gov