Cedar Rapids is a Certified
4-STAR Community!
The Sustainability Tools for Assessing and Rating (STAR) Community Rating System is the nation’s leading certification program for community sustainability.
Overview
The STAR rating system is comprised of eight goal areas covering 49 objectives. STAR distributes points for outcomes achieved or actions taken in each objective. Outcomes are aspirational levels of achievement. Actions — such as partnerships, education, policies, practices, and assessments — move a community in the direction of an outcome.
Next Steps - GreenCR Action Plan
City Council and staff can now use the STAR assessment to make more informed decisions for our community and continue this vision of excellence for future generations. Moving forward, we will align insights from the report with Council priorities and key City planning documents such as EnvisionCR to create Cedar Rapids’ first municipal sustainability plan, the GreenCR Action Plan.
Tasked with completing the STAR assessment and now building our GreenCR Action Plan, SIC members include:
- Co-chair, Steve Hershner, Utilities Director
- Co-chair, Jennifer Pratt, Community Development Director
- Sandi Fowler, Assistant City Manager
- Eric Holthaus, Sustainability Coordinator
- Maria Johnson, Communications Manager
- Kevin Ciabatti, Building Services Director
- Casey Drew, Finance Director
- Jen Winter, Public Works Director
- Scott Hock, Parks and Recreation Director
- Mark English, Fire Chief
- Dara Schmidt, Library Director
- Marty Lenss, Airport Director
Our 4-STAR Community
City Performance and Plan
STAR Info
- STAR Communities Website
- STAR Manual (pdf)
- STAR Technical Guide (pdf)
Goal Areas
- Built Environment
- Climate & Energy
- Economy & Jobs
- Education, Arts & Community
- Equity & Empowerment
- Health & Safety
- Natural Systems
- Innovation
City staff submitted more than 500 data points reflecting the City's diverse initiatives and accomplishments to complete the STAR application. The submission highlighted many successful green initiatives, including projects like the Middle Cedar Partnership Project, the Stormwater Cost-Share Program, and the MICRO loan program. Individuals from throughout the City’s many departments, community partners, the GreenCR Team, and other stakeholders have been key supporters in these initiatives and the data collection.
In all, Cedar Rapids earned 458.5 points to achieve a 4-STAR rating. Cedar Rapids is the sixth Iowa community to earn STAR certification and the first under the expanded Version 2.0. Iowa has the nation’s second-most STAR Communities, tied with Texas. Florida is first with seven. In Iowa, STAR Communities include Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Dubuque, Des Moines, Charles City, and Davenport.
Key Data
Download Overview (pdf)
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