Merritt 7 Corporate Park in Norwalk, has been recognized by the governor and the state Department of Transportation for its support and initiative in the rideshare program.
“We are thrilled to have been recognized as one of the participating companies that helped to make the Tri-State Challenge such a tremendous success by delivering cleaner air and less congested roadways,” said JoAnn Brennan-McGrath, director of leasing at Merritt 7.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Joseph F. Marie, commissioner of the Connecticut DOT presented the corporate park with an award in recognition of their support.
 The state-initiated challenge began in April 2007 as a regional event that encouraged companies and commuters to rideshare, and reduce 5 million miles of driving in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
According to Brennan-McGrath, employers actively supported the challenge by racing against each other and promoting the event to their employees.
The DOT found over 10,000 commuters participated in the event and shared 177,000 rides resulting in more than 5 million fewer miles driven. The result was the prevention of 2,200 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
More than 30 local and national sponsors also supported the events and provided $118,500 in rewards and prizes to participating commuters.
The governor’s office applauded more than a dozen companies and businesses for their efforts to cut down on fuel usage. Among the local companies participating in the initiative were Pitney Bowes in Stamford and Merritt 7 Corporate Park in Norwalk.
“Merritt 7 has taken numerous actions over a several-year period to make our buildings and our environment more energy efficient,” said Brennan-McGrath. “It is wonderful to see the positive response from our tenants in working together with MetroPool and participating in the NuRide carpooling program.”
Merritt 7 has been recognized for its numerous conservation efforts in recent years, including the Southwest Connecticut Summer Energy Savers Award and becoming the first office park in Connecticut to earn the Environmental Protection Agency”™s Energy Star award in recognition of energy efficiency.  Merritt 7 also was named the 2007 Office Building of the Year by the Southern Connecticut Chapter of the Building Owners and Management Association.
“There are so many benefits to carpooling and rideshare like reducing traffic congestion and cutting back on air pollution,” said Margaret Egan, senior vice president of ING Clarion Partners LLC. “Through a collaborative effort between Albert D. Phelps and ING Clarion Partners, we”™ve made energy conservation and providing a sustainable workplace for our tenants a top priority at Merritt 7.”
