HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS "GREEN" BUILDING CODES Newly Constructed and Renovated Facilities to be More Environmentally Friendly
06.28.04 -- On Wednesday, June 23, 2004, City Council took steps to ensure that all new and renovated city facilities comply with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards. The Green Building Resolution now applies to designated capital improvement projects (CIP) which includes fire and police stations, libraries and multi-service centers, to name a few.
“This resolution effectively ensures that the city facilities we construct are more energy efficient with a minimal amount of negative impact to the environment,” explained Issa Z. Dadoush, P.E., General Services Department, which serves as the city’s in-house developer.
LEED provides measures for assessing building performance and also contains a rating system. LEED-certified structures may earn points for incorporating the following: mechanisms for water and energy savings and improved indoor air quality, reflective roofing and paving, materials manufactured locally, promotion of recycling and waste reduction, re-use of existing buildings, reduction of storm water generation and/or treatment on site, and more.
Future City of Houston pilot projects include the Westside Police Station, Downtown Fire Super Station, South Post Oak Multi-Service Center and Library and a vehicle maintenance facility. The City of Houston will also become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, joining other cities such as Dallas, Austin, Los Angeles and New York, to name a few.
“I predict that within five years, LEED certification will become a routine part of the building design process for all city facilities,” Dadoush added.
