District 22 Police Station Project Awarded Silver Rating From U.S. Green Building Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2005
Bennie Currie
(312) 744-9277

The Morgan Park (22nd District) Police Station has received Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in recognition of the facility's environmentally friendly design features.

The $20.5 million station, located at 1900 W. Monterey Avenue, was built by the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) which opened the facility in June 2004. It is the first police station in the nation to receive a Silver LEED rating and one of 85 buildings in the U.S. to receive such certification since the rating system was launched in 2000.

"The District 22 Police Station is a shining example of our commitment to build energy-efficient facilities that are green (environmentally friendly), healthy, safe and cost efficient," said Montel Gayles, executive director of the PBC. "As part of that commitment we are seeking LEED certification level on all of our new projects."

The 44,000-square-foot District 22 features a computerized command center and high-tech roll call rooms to enhance presentations during briefing and training sessions. It was also built with technology that reduces energy consumption, conserves water and uses recycled content and materials that are manufactured locally.

"The City of Chicago is to be commended for their commitment to green building, "said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC President, CEO & Founding Chair. "The District 22 Police Station will be a healthy place for their employees as well as an example to the community."

The LEED Green Building Rating System is a feature-oriented rating system where credits are earned for satisfying specified green building criteria. The five major environmental categories of review are sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality. The green features of District 22 that fall under these categories include:

Sustainable Sites
This takes into account the location and placement of the building and the impact it has on the environment around it.

• Station built on a previously developed site.
  
• Located within 1/4 mile of bus and train transportation.
  
• Bike racks and electric car recharging area in parking lot.
  
• Installed reflective surfaces on roof and one parking lot to cool building and save energy costs.
  

• Drought resistant landscaping that requires less water.
  
• Installed low-flow and sensored toilets, sinks and showers.
  
• Reduced amount of water used for landscaping.
  

• Designed to use 20 percent less energy.
  
• It is anticipated that solar thermal panels will be installed that use the sun's energy to heat water in the building.
  
• Used non--ozone depleting mechanical equipment to protect atmosphere.
  
• Purchased renewable energy or "green power" to reduce reliance on fossil fuels such as gas.
  

• Diverted more than 90 percent of construction waste from landfills by recycling.
  
• Used recycled content in more than 50 percent of materials installed.
  
• More than 50 percent of materials for the building were manufactured locally.
  
• Of the materials manufactured locally, more than 40 percent of raw materials are harvested locally.
  
• Fifty percent of all wood used on project came from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
  

• Instituted an air quality plan to ensure clean air for workers during construction.
  
• Used materials in construction that emit less fumes.
  
• Built exhaust systems for areas where chemicals are stored.
  
• Installed temperature control systems and increased amount of natural light in building to boost worker productivity and improve quality of life.
  
• Utilized healthy cleaning and pest control products and strategies.