by Michael R. Allen
Last week, the Board of Aldermen passed the city’s first “green building” law.
Sponsored by Alderman Fred Wessels (D-13th) and President Jim Shrewsbury, Board Bill 323 mandates that all city-owned new construction and major renovation must be certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver or higher. (Read all about LEED here.)
The new law will be in effect for the next three city building projects, the two recreation centers being built with money raised by Proposition P as well as the Animal House.
Shrewsbury’s office is also working on legislation to encourage green building in private construction and rehabilitation projects.