eCenter@LindenPointe Earns LEED Silver Certification

Friday, June 08, 2012

HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The eCenter@LindenPointe has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The eCenter building and the LindenPointe technology-based economic development initiatives were planned and designed by representatives from regional economic development, workforce development and private industry partners.

The eCenter is a 16,500-square-foot technology-based incubator located in the LindenPointe Innovative Business Campus. It was designed by HHSDR Architects/Engineers with input from the Green Building Alliance, Pittsburgh, and is the first certified LEED building in Mercer County, Pa.

“An accomplishment of this nature not only will strengthen the foundation of our community and the LindenPointe Innovative Business Campus, but is an example of what a community can accomplish by partnering on a regional basis,” said Gary Hinkson, manager of the City of Hermitage.

The initiatives were intended to be tools to sustain and strengthen existing technology-based companies and to foster innovation, economic growth and job creation in the region, according to Mike Schiller, executive director of the Green Building Alliance. “GBA staff enjoyed working with the city of Hermitage and the eCenter project team on these trainings, as well as project specifications and LEED documentation review," he said. "This high-performing facility will serve as a model for future new and existing buildings in Hermitage and the rest of western Pennsylvania.”

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration provided a $4.2 million grant to the city to assist in financing the construction of the LEED-certified eCenter. The $5.5 million project included a $1.25 million Pennsylania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant.

LEED certification of the eCenter@LindenPointe was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

• Training and education component on sustainable methods for designers, construction contractors, tradesmen and high school students;
• Efficient site design to maximize open space;
• Rain garden and water-efficient landscaping to control storm water runoff;
• Geothermal heating/ventilating/air conditioning system;
• Reflective roof system with reduced heat island effect;
• Maximum daylighting of the interior;
• Optimum energy cost savings of 22%;
• 33% of materials are sourced from the region;
• 38% of construction materials are recycled content;
• 91% percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills.

Contractors involved in the facility construction included Rien Construction Co., Brookfield, Ohio; RABE Environmental Systems Inc., Erie; Renick Brothers, Slippery Rock; R.E. Yates Electric Inc., New Castle; Pitchford Diversified Inc., Butler; and CJL Engineering, Johnstown.

A ceremony recognizing the region’s newest green building is planned for Sept. 13.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.