Opportunity "Green" Center!

What follows is a summation of the positive, sustainable impact of the new Opportunity Center on the community in which is resides. I love this stuff!  Just had to share! 

CitySquare Sustainable Talking Points

Site/Location

• The location of the building (south Dallas) and its operational activities; job training, food distribution, wellness center and community café, serve the community within which it is located, making great strides towards making the neighborhood a better place.

• Pollution from construction activities was reduced by controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust generation.

• The development was located on a site in an existing urban area in order to protect and preserve habitat and natural resources.

• Maximized open space on the site in order to maintain and promote bio-diversity within the natural habitat of the site, 30% of the site is vegetated open space.

• Helped to reduce the urban heat island effect by using solar reflecting materials on both the ground and the roofs of the buildings, helping to keep the building and surrounding areas cooler.


Water
 
 • Using low flow water fixtures increased the water efficiency within the buildings to use 23% less water than would normally be used in a building of this type and size. This reduces the burden on the municipal water supply and wastewater systems, saving approximately 44,000 gallons per year.

• Reduced potable water consumption for landscape irrigation by 59% by using low water landscaping and green irrigation practices. The project is expecting to save 394,000 gallons per year.
Energy & Atmosphere
• Through the use of a geothermal (ground source heat pump) energy system, and low energy use lighting and appliances a 18.6% reduction in energy usage is expected, or approximately 195,350 kWh/year. This is enough energy to power 17 houses in one year.

• The building monitors its energy use to make sure these planned energy reductions are consistently being achieved.

• Limited contribution of ozone depleting gases by not using CFC or HCFC (chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon) based refrigerants in the HVAC systems of the building.

• Has encouraged the development, construction, and operation of new renewable energy resources in this state by purchasing 2 years of Renewable Energy Credits (REC) for the project.
Materials and Resources

• Has implemented a building-wide recycling program for paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics and metals.

• Diverted 7.5 tons of metal, 26 tons of wood and 360 tons of concrete from the landfill during construction – recycling a total of 68% of all construction waste.

• Used materials throughout such as ceiling tile, solid surfacing and flooring with recycled content in them.

• Purchased materials locally when possible to cut down on transportation emissions and promote the local economy.

• Purchased Forest Stewardship Council certified wood to be used in the project, 45% of all wood used in the project (based on cost) was from sustainably managed forests.
Safe and Healthy Building
• Put in place a Indoor Air Quality Management Plan during construction in order to reduce the likelihood of indoor air quality problems.

• Used low-emitting materials to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants. Materials included: adhesives and sealants, paints and other coatings, flooring systems and composite wood products.

• Tried to minimize building occupant exposure to potentially hazardous particulates and chemical pollutants by using walk off mats at all entry points and exhausting space where hazardous gases or chemicals may be present and using high efficiency filters that remove more contaminant particles from the air.

• Provided a high level of thermal comfort control for the individual occupants to promote productivity, comfort and well-being.

• Implemented an Organic Landscape Maintenance plan that outlines best practices in selecting, planting and maintaining the property landscaping. Including organic pest control and fertilization.

• Established and maintains a toxic material source reduction program to reduce the amount of toxic mercury brought onto the building site through purchasing of lamps.