Spruce Tree Centre – LEED-EB Certification
Address: 1600 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Overview:
Spruce Tree Centre, a distinctive, green building at University and Snelling avenues in Saint Paul’s Midway neighborhood, will become even greener under a plan announced on June 1, 2009.
MetroPlains Management of Saint Paul is undertaking a multi-focus initiative at the 129,000-square foot office building, known locally as the Green Building, to utilize solar energy, reduce energy use, recycle more waste and promote a more environmentally conscious office experience.
In November 2008, Spruce Tree Centre commenced the process of acquiring a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
“These important initiatives are intended to benefit not only the environment but also our valued tenants,” said Jason Sklar, property manager of Spruce Tree Centre.
With the help of a $250,000 Chairman’s Fund grant from Xcel Energy that supports innovative environmental leadership projects in the community, Spruce Tree Centre worked with the Energy Harvest Group and Energy Concepts to develop, engineer and install a 37-kilowatt solar panel system to generate electricity for the building, which is located along the proposed Central Corridor light rail transit line. When completed, the project will be one of the largest solar installations in Minnesota.
Among other planned improvements:
- The building’s Energy Management System will be enhanced to optimally heat and cool office spaces.
- Light fixtures will be converted to use more energy-efficient bulbs.
- A comprehensive recycling program for cans, bottles and office paper will be established and promoted to tenants.
- Local products and vendors will be utilized, to minimize pollution and transportation costs while supporting the local labor force and economy.
- High efficiency hand dryers will be installed to dramatically reduce paper towel waste.
LEED is an internationally recognized certification system that measures how well a building or community performs in areas such as energy savings, water efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. The LEED-EB recognition is given to existing buildings that use sustainable operating systems and produce minimal environmental impact.
For more information, please contact Spruce Tree Centre representatives Jason Sklar or Mike Koch at (651) 646-7848.
