LEED SILVER AWARDED TO USPS

The USPS St. Paul Processing & Distribution Center (P&DC), a Gray project, in Eagan, Minn. was recently awarded LEED® Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED, a trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council, is the nation’s preeminent green building certification program. Projects are evaluated for energy use, lighting, water and materials as well as incorporating other sustainable features.

The USPS St. Paul P&DC is a continuation of the 16+ years between Gray and the U.S. Postal Service.  The 619,112 s.f. facility was an expansion to the existing Bulk Mail Center in Eagan and was designed and constructed in two consecutive phases over a 770 day schedule.

Although not part of the original project requirements, the customer requested that Gray pursue LEED certification when the overall project was approximately 50% complete. Following that request, Gray adjusted design and construction plans to accommodate the requirements associated with LEED certification. Particular emphasis was placed upon energy conservation and the re-use of on site materials. For example, existing pavements were crushed and screened on-site to produce aggregate base for use under new pavements; and rather than being exported from the site, excess soils were placed as landscaped berms to provide screening from adjacent properties and roadways. Elements of sustainable construction incorporated into the facility include:

• Brownfield redevelopment.
• Native landscaping that does not require irrigation.
• Preferred parking for fuel efficient vehicles, low-emitting vehicles, and carpools; proximity to public transportation and community services.
• Over 40,000 tons of existing pavements were crushed and processed on-site to provide aggregate base for use under new pavements.
• Light pollution reduction & heat island reduction.
• Energy efficient building system that exceeds ASHRAE 90.1 requirements by 30%.
• No CFC based refrigerants.
• Enhanced commissioning of building systems.
• Over 70% of on-site generated construction waste was diverted from landfills through the use of recycling.
• Over 25% of the total building materials content, by value, was manufactured using recycled materials.
• Over 40% of the total building materials content, by value, was comprised of materials and products extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured within 500 miles of the project site.
• Outdoor air delivery monitoring.
• Low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpets, and composite wood products were utilized to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants.
• Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control.
• Individual and networked lighting controls.
• Energy Control & Management System for HVAC systems.
• The electrical switchgear rooms are ventilated using excess air from the workroom allowing for increased ventilation in the workroom and eliminating overheating in the penthouse without adding mechanical cooling.
• Vertical storing dock levelers are utilized allowing full sealing at enclosed platform doors reducing air infiltration when the dock doors are closed.