FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Works Department - (573) 874-7250

LEED certification announced for Fire Station #7

COLUMBIA, MO (October 5, 2010) - The city of Columbia announces that it has been awarded LEED certification on Columbia Fire Station #7 with a “Silver” rating by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Completed in 2009, Fire Station #7 is one of the city’s two newest stations. It is located at Green Meadows and Bethel Road.

LEED is the USGBC’s standard for creating energy and resource efficient buildings, relating to all aspects of design, construction and occupancy. LEED elements used in the design of the fire station include the use of building materials with recycled content, ground-source heat pumps for heating and air conditioning, use of porous asphalt for storm water collection, and installation of rain garden and bio-retention basin for cleaning storm water runoff. Other green features include low-VOC paints and coatings and clerestory windows for improved day lighting. Construction waste was recycled throughout the project.

Fire Station #7 was designed by the local firm of Peckham and Wright Architects Inc. to achieve LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. LEED was established for market leaders to design & construct buildings that protect and save precious resources while also making good economic sense.

The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment. Its membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies and other nonprofit organizations. Since UGSBC’s founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, a comprehensive family of LEED® green building rating systems, an expansive educational offering, the industry’s popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (www.greenbuildexpo.org) and a network of 78 local chapters, affiliates and organizing groups. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org/LEED.

This is the third city-owned building to be LEED certified. City Hall, which is currently under construction, will be eligible for LEED certification once it is completed.

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