NEWS
Terrace eyes up green techniques
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by Melissa Gilbert
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center plans to achieve green-building status in the near future, becoming the second convention center in the country to attain such stature.
Green building status recognizes environmentally friendly, energy-efficient buildings in the U.S.
The recent announcement of the pending status will aid the center in reducing heating and cooling costs at a time when fuel prices are high.
George Twigg, communications director for the mayor, said Monona Terrace is officially registering with the U.S. Green Building Council and will become certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB). LEED-EB sets a standard for existing buildings that want to achieve green stature.
In addition, LEED-EB creates certain levels of certification that relate to the encouragement of buildings that are environmentally accountable, profitable and provide a healthy workplace for employees, Twigg said.
"We hope to achieve most requirements because it will not only be good for the environment but it will also be a great marketing tool for the city of Madison," Twigg said.
There are other benefits in Monona Terrace becoming a green building — it would increase revenues. According to Twigg, green buildings would compel environmentally friendly groups to hold conventions at the center.
These events can bring millions of dollars in economic benefits to the community and possibly spread the transformation of existing buildings into green buildings around the country, Twigg added.
While a number of city officials are pleased to learn about Monona Terrace's outreach in green building certifications, Angie Roloff, head of Monona Terrace, said there may be a few hurdles to overcome. The building must achieve a certain amount of points in order for the center to be acknowledged as a green building, she said.
"Points will be granted to the terrace regarding energy use, cleaning material, recycling facilities, et cetera," Roloff said. "A building must obtain 32 of an 85-point scale so we must begin this process as soon as possible."
LEED-EB also has a certified rating system ranging on a point scale that includes 40 for silver, 48 for gold and 64 for platinum.
As of now, Monona Terrace is just beginning this process so it is unknown whether it will achieve silver, gold or platinum standing.
According to a release, the green building process will be led by Arnold and O'Sheridan Consulting Engineers, along with Monona Terrace staff. Representatives from Focus on Energy, Johnson Controls, Leonardo Academy, Madison Gas and Electric and University of Wisconsin Extension will also aid in the process.
Twigg said Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is extremely proud of this procedure and he encourages the building of a green Capitol city. This encouragement will help the conversion of various buildings in the Madison area, which will greatly increase environmental awareness in the city.
UW sophomore Kimberly Matza said she was pleased by Monona Terrace's green building potential.
"I will be proud to live in such an environmentally aware city especially at a time when resources seem to be sparse," Matza said. "I hope this process works out for Madison."
Roloff said the process will take time but may lead to the transition of more green buildings around the city until the day Madison truly becomes a green capital city.
