U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)
Brownfields Program is designed to empower states, tribes, communities,
and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together
in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably
reuse brownfields. A brownfield is real property, the expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence
or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
The Green Buildings on Brownfields Initiative is an EPA effort
designed to promote the use of green building techniques at
brownfield properties in conjunction with assessment and cleanup.
Through several pilot projects, EPA is providing communities
with technical assistance to facilitate the development of green
buildings on their brownfields. Building environmentally-friendly
buildings on what was once contaminated (or perceived to be
contaminated) land can be symbolic of a new, environmentally-sound
direction for communities, as well as tangible growth for their
economies. |
EPA has selected eight communities for Green Buildings
on Brownfields pilot projects. Through the Green Buildings on
Brownfields Initiative, EPA works with communities, on a pilot
basis, to incorporate environmental considerations into the planning,
design and implementation of their brownfields redevelopment projects.
Assistance may be in the form of technical, financial, planning,
outreach, design expertise, and/or other needed expertise as identified
by the community. Generally, each pilot project will receive expert-consultant
services valued up to $15,000.
The eight Green Buildings on Brownfields pilot projects are:
Community Center Building, Springfield, Massachusetts
(EPA Region 1). With assistance from EPA and local government,
the New North Citizen's Council (NNCC), a non-profit social
service organization, plans to build a new, two-story, 25,000-square-foot
building to replace its cramped and deteriorated offices.
The project site is located on 1.2 acres, which includes the
current offices and several City-owned brownfield parcels
and vacant lots. The pilot project aims to meet the criteria,
and gain the certification, of the the U.S. Green Building
Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
rating system and the Energy Star for Buildings program. The
NNCC, which is developing the property in partnership with
the City of Springfield, operates in two predominantly Hispanic
neighborhoods with low per capita income and some of the highest
asthma rates in the state.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore's Center for Aquatic
Life and Conservation, Baltimore, Maryland (EPA Region 3).
To meet the needs of a rapidly growing collection of current
and future exhibits, as well as expanding programs in research,
husbandry, and conservation, the National Aquarium in Baltimore
is building a new aquatic animal care center. A seven-acre
brownfield located near major highways and bus routes in Baltimore
City is the planned location for the new facility. The Aquarium
will seek at least the Silver or Gold level of the U.S. Green
Building Council's LEED rating system. A multi-use conservation
education center, public access to trails, and boardwalks
bordering wetlands are also proposed.
ReGenesis Medical Center, Spartanburg, South Carolina
(EPA Region 4). ReGenesis, Inc., a community non-profit
corporation is purchasing a 33-acre brownfield for redevelopment
as a health and wellness park. The property will include a
community medical center providing integrated healthcare.
Using green building technologies, the Center will be designed
to protect indoor air quality, reduce operation and maintenance
costs, and protect the watershed of a nearby creek.
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About the ENERGY STAR Label for
Buildings
ENERGY STAR is a symbol of energy efficiency. The
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US
Department of Energy (DOE) have established ENERGY
STAR criteria for commercial and K-12 school buildings.
The basis of the criteria is benchmarking building
energy consumption on a 1 to 100 scale. Buildings
that are among the top 25 percent nationwide in terms
of energy performance (earning a benchmarking score
of 75 or greater) and maintain an indoor environment
that conforms to industry standards can qualify to
receive the ENERGY STAR label for buildings.
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Marina District Redevelopment, Toledo, Ohio (EPA Region
5). The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority is in the process
of redeveloping the 120-acre Marina District brownfield on
the east bank of the Maumee River, directly across from downtown
Toledo. The redeveloped area will include residential, commercial,
recreational, and entertainment facilities. The Port Authority
intends to use expert services provided through the pilot
project to identify opportunities to employ green building
technologies such as energy conservation measures, natural
landscaping, natural stormwater management, and pedestrian-friendly
site design.
World Headquarters for Heifer International, Little
Rock, Arkansas (EPA Region 6). Heifer International, a
non-profit organization devoted to ending world hunger, is
developing its new world headquarters and an education center
on a 28-acre brownfield in a former industrial area in eastern
downtown Little Rock. Heifer will seek a LEED Gold rating
for the 100,000-square-foot building. Sustainable, environmentally
sound features of the building will be highlighted in public
education programs to illustrate environmentally responsible
building practices. Programs will also demonstrate alternative
energy, land and water conservation techniques, and efficient
uses of natural resources.
Trailnet Inc., Trailhead Building, St. Louis, Missouri
(EPA Region 7). Trailnet, Inc., a non-profit organization
whose mission is to develop a system of greenways and trails
in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, is converting
a former power plant building, located at the primary trailhead
for the Confluence Greenway and Mississippi Riverfront trails,
into an environmentally-friendly building to serve as office
space for Trailnet. The building will also serve as a place
for people to meet, eat, get directions and information on
the Greenway and learn about the planet's third-largest watershed.
Trailnet, working with local stakeholders and partners, aims
to achieve a LEED Gold rating for the building.
Community Culture and Commercial Center, Kauai, Hawaii
(EPA Region 9). This pilot project is located on the island
of Kauai in Anahola on a property that has frequently been
used for the illegal disposal of items such as automobiles,
tires, appliances, batteries, and other household items. Reuse
plans for the state-owned property include a senior care living
center, an elderly independent living facility, a charter
school, retail, office space, and other support facilities.
The state plans to design the buildings and landscape to be
energy and resource-efficient, using local building materials
wherever possible, and to attain LEED certification. Some
of the sustainable design measures being considered include
alternative energy generation, natural ventilation and day-lighting,
water catchment, irrigation with greywater, use of recycled
building materials, and the use of non-toxic finishes and
materials.
About
LEED
The U.S. Green Building
Council, a coalition of approximately 2000 diverse
organizations, developed the Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) program. LEED recognizes
achievements and promotes expertise in green building
through a comprehensive system offering project certification,
professional accreditation, training, and practical
resources. LEED ratings, ranging from Platinum to
Certified, reflect environmental factors including
energy efficiency, water conservation and use of recycled
and otherwise "green" materials in building.
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Volcanic Legacy Discovery Center, Mt. Shasta, California
(EPA Region 9). The redevelopment plan for this 127-acre former
lumber mill property includes ten acres for the Volcanic Legacy
Center. The Center will be the centerpiece of a scenic byway stretching
from Crater Lake in Oregon to Lassen Peak in California, and is
expected to receive thousands of visitors each year. The Center
will include a 20,000-square-foot building with a 200-plus seat
auditorium, exhibit spaces with interactive and educational displays
(including a section to demonstrate green building materials),
a gift shop, other auxiliary spaces, and parking. In addition,
sustainable landscape
design features may be incorporated into the reuse
plan with a chaparral restoration area, vegetative
filter area, wildlife pond, and stormwater retention basin.
United States Solid Waste
Environmental and Emergency
Protection Agency Response (5101T)
Washington, D.C. 20460
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For specific information regarding EPA's Green Buildings
on Brownfields Initiative, contact Alison Evans at (202)
566-2744 or evans.alison@epa.gov. For more information on
EPA's Brownfields Program, please visit http://www.epa.gov/brownfields.
For more information on EPA's Green Building programs, visit
http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding.
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