United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460 Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105) EPA-560-F-04-244 June 2004 www.epa.gov/brownfields/ &EPA Green Buildings on Brownfields Pilot Springfield, MA Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment Quick Reference Fact Sheet Community Center The New North Citizens' Council (NNCC), a non-profit social service organization, is building a three-story, 25,000-square-foot building to replace its cramped and deteriorated offices. The NNCC, which is developing the property in partnership with the City of Springfield, operates in two predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods with among the lowest per capita income and highest asthma rates in the state of Massachusetts. The City of Springfield used its Green Buildings on Brownfields Pilot support to retain the services of a local architecture firm with expertise in green design to prepare conceptual drawings for the new community center. The firm worked with local stakeholders to develop apreliminary design that is not only green, but also reflect's the community's Hispanic heritage. The resulting design energized local stakeholders around the project. The NNCC Community Center may be the first building with significant green design features in Springfield. According to a planner with the City of Springfield, EPA' s support was instrumental in building momentum for agreen, "healthy" building among stakeholders, as well as illustrating how green design can be combined with architectural features that reflect the community's Hispanic culture. EPA support also bolstered efforts from the City and NNCC to obtain support from other sources, including Home Depot and the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. The final design for the new community center may include green architectural features such as photovoltaic cells for solar power, day-lighting, exterior lightpollution reduction, a green roof, water and energy efficient fixtures, rainwater collection cisterns, and building orientation for passive heating and cooling. The City and NNCC plan to apply for LEED certificationatthe Bronze level. Proposed site plan for the new North Citizens' Council Community Center. ------- |