Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. first civic Indiana nonprofit to receive LEED Gold green building certification

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) announced today that its new headquarters in Fountain Square has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making the organization the first civic nonprofit in Indiana to be LEED Gold certified. LEED is the USGBC’s leading rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings.

“In the work that KIB does, we aim to make an aesthetic, human and environmental impact. Choosing green design for our new office was an incredible way for KIB to embody its mission,” said David Forsell, KIB President. “We are excited to have received LEED Gold certification, and we are grateful to our donors and community partners.”

Formerly a contaminated property and abandoned warehouse at the corner of Fletcher and Shelby in Fountain Square, the space was designed by RATIO Architects and Synthesis Architecture, and built by Shiel Sexton Company. LEED verifies environmental performance, occupant health and financial return. LEED was established for market leaders to design & construct buildings that protect and save precious resources while also making good economic sense.

“Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”

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

* A white reflective roof reduces KIB’s energy use by 12.5%.

* Energy efficient appliances and lighting save $7,500 on utility bills annually.

* Rain gardens and a 10,000 gallon cistern keep 42% of the site’s stormwater on its 0.9 acre site.

* Waterless urinals cut water consumption by 7,000 gallons or more annually.

* Plentiful views to the outdoors reduce lighting demands.

* Bike racks and shower facilities encourage staff to ride to work.

Tours of KIB’s green headquarters are scheduled for the public the first Monday of each month at 4 p.m. Group tours, by appointment, often can be accommodated. Register by calling 317-264-7555, ext. 100.


###

About Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
The mission of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. is to unite people to beautify the city, improve the environment, and foster pride in the community. To learn more, please visit www.kibi.org.

About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Its membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and other nonprofit organizations. Since UGSBC’s founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 17,000 member companies and organizations, a comprehensive family of LEED® green building rating systems, an expansive educational offering, the industry’s popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (www.greenbuildexpo.org), and a network of 78 local chapters, affiliates, and organizing groups.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

About LEED®
The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a feature-oriented rating system that awards buildings points for satisfying specified green building criteria. The six major environmental categories of review include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design. Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of LEED green building certification are awarded based on the total number of points earned within each LEED category. LEED can be applied to all building types including new construction, commercial interiors, core & shell developments, existing buildings, homes, neighborhood developments, schools and retail facilities. LEED for Healthcare is currently under development and is expected
to be released in early 2008.
Incentives for LEED are available at the state and local level and LEED has also been adopted nationwide by federal agencies, state and local governments, and interested private companies. or more information, visit www.usgbc.org/LEED. * Bike racks and shower facilities encourage staff to ride to work.

Tours of KIB’s green headquarters are scheduled for the public the first Monday of each month at 4 p.m. Group tours, by appointment, often can be accommodated. Register by calling 317-264-7555, ext. 100.