We saw this recent article in  AnnArbor.com and thought the green credentials it has earned was very important.

“The DDA has worked throughout his project to minimize its environmental impacts,” Amber Miller, the DDA’s planning and research specialist, wrote in an email to AnnArbor.com. “Our efforts now allow this structure to become part of this unique program designed to encourage the standardization of sustainable initiatives within the parking industry.”

From the top floor of the Ann Arbor District Library, the view of the new downtown underground parking structure taking shape on Thursday Photo by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

The Green Parking Council is a nonprofit group dedicated to expanding green parking practices through its Green Garage rating system. It developed the Demonstrator Site program as an evaluative tool to initiate the process toward Green Garage certification.”The GPC has created the Demonstrator Site program to bring recognition to those facilities that have committed to making an effort towards sustainability and who have made progress towards this end,” the group’s website states.

Miller cited several examples of the project’s commitment to sustainable practices. For instance, the excavated sand from the site is being reused as part of the structural concrete for the project, and all demolished concrete, asphalt and wood from the site has been recycled.

Also, all of the stormwater that falls on the site will be detained, in excess of city requirements, and energy-saving lights will be used that can cast lower light levels in off-peak periods.

When the structure opens, it’s expected to include 22 electric car charging stations and set aside prime parking spaces for alternative fueled vehicles.

DDA officials said this represents only the latest in a number of DDA initiatives to promote sustainability as a part of downtown development.

The DDA also has committed nearly $500,000 toward a program providing energy saving audits, recommendations and installation rebates to downtown businesses. DDA officials said the program has encouraged downtown building owners to make nearly $700,000 worth of improvements that are anticipated to save $87,000 a year in energy costs.

The DDA also has played a role in alternative transportation programs by covering 95 percent of the cost for the popular go!pass — a free bus pass for 7,100 employees — as well as bike hoops and lockers, commuter rail research, Zipcar sponsorship, and the getDowntown program. Additionally, the DDA provided the funds for the installation of a solar-electric demonstration project at the Farmers Market, downtown LED street lights, energy efficient upgrades at the Delonis Center and downtown sidewalk recycling containers.

They say the material is water resistant.  But our concern is rain or spilled drinks.  If one spills a beer during an emotional playoff game, will the paper chair lose its ridgidity and collapse the next time someone uses it?

High Density Paper Composite (HDPC) Innovative, natural, durable, strong; Maglin’s new High Density Paper Composite (HDPC) is the perfect alternate to wood for sustainable site furniture.

HDPC is created using FSC-certified 100% post-consumer recycled paper saturated with proprietary pheolic resins containing natural ingredients. Once saturated, the sheets are fused together under heat and pressure. This cross-links the resin polymer in all three directions producing a dense, homogeneous and essentially non-porous composite product that does not delaminate. Ordinary material is transformed into an extremely strong and durable solid surface material with incredible longevity and resistance to water.

Benefits of HDPC:
• FSC-Certified 100% post-consumer recycled paper
• Heat resistant to 350°F
• Class A fire and smoke rating
• Made of recycled paper and uses many natural ingredients
• Aesthetic appeal and warmth

Visit Maglin’s website to find out more information about HDPC ]]> http://www.midwesternconsulting.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/07/green-chairs-paper-chairs/feed/ 0 http://www.midwesternconsulting.com/blog/index.php/2010/07/29/leed-for-neighborhood-development/ http://www.midwesternconsulting.com/blog/index.php/2010/07/29/leed-for-neighborhood-development/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:32:44 +0000 Scott Fisher http://www.midwesternconsulting.com/blog/?p=299 The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) is now roughly 6-months into the implementation of the LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) rating system.  After a pilot program and a response period, the new rating system has a total 110 possible points and requires a minimum of 40 points for a project to be certified and 80+ to receive platinum status. 

The main sections to achieve points in are:

• Smart Location and Linkage
• Neighborhood Pattern and Design
• Green Infrastructure and Buildings
• Innovation and Design Process
• Regional Priority Credit

Based on the various credits, one of the primary goals of this rating system is to develop larger concepts of a community and how all the individual pieces work together.  It is an extension of many credits that are already a part of the LEED for New Construction system (LEED-NC), specifically the Sustainable Sites points section. 

It will take a little time to fully digest all the aspects of this rating system, but the key concepts have already begun to be used by Midwestern Consulting on recently started projects and will hopefully continue to be a guiding light for future developments. 

Scott Fisher is an engineer at Midwestern Consulting in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He is LEED-AP and can be reached at 734.995.0200.