Politics & Government

Farmington Hills Officials Celebrate City Hall Award

A new plaque announces the building's Gold LEED certification.

There's a new plaque at Farmington Hills City Hall, awarded for the building's sustainable and environmentally friendly design.

Late Monday afternoon, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Detroit Regional Chapter founding member Paul Goldsmith delivered the (recycled) glass award, which is on display near the building's south entrance doors. It recognizes the building's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, the second-highest level of green building achievement offered by USGBC.

When Farmington Hills officials rolled out their $8 million plan to remodel City Hall as an environmentally friendly building, in a depressed economy, Mayor Jerry Ellis said, "a large part of the community said, 'Are you crazy?'"

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However, he pointed out, the city had saved in better times and had the cash on hand to finish the project without going into debt. Also, he said, "the building has already started to pay off," with staff consolidation and greater efficiencies and a 70 percent reduction in total energy costs.

Goldsmith said he spent some time explaining why going for the Gold certification would be a good idea. Among other things, he filmed an informational video that aired on the city cable channel.

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"It took a lot of, in my language, chutzpah to go green," he said. "This is a heck of an accomplishment."

Council member Barry Brickner said at a recent National League of Cities meeting, a federal administration official talked about what cities could do to "go green"—install a green roof and rain gardens and use pervious pavers—and Farmington Hills is already doing all those things.

"This is a place you go to see what you should be doing in the future," he said. "It's here today."

Correction: In a photo accompanying the article, Piet Lindhout, president of Lindhout Associates Architects was incorrectly identified.


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