Going Green in Wilmington

Grand re-opening of Wilmington's Lincoln Towers

The Wilmington Housing Authority lays claim to one of the premier "green" buildings in the city of Wilmington, DE. It's the newly reconstructed Lincoln Towers, an 88-unit mixed income high-rise for seniors over the age of 62. The development also features a new state-of-the-art firehouse for Wilmington's Fire Company No. 5.

"We applaud Wilmington for leading the effort to promote the 'greening' of public housing to save energy and money for the Housing Authority and the residents," said HUD Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent.

The green practices were incorporated in the development of the new and improved Lincoln Towers right from the start. When rehabilitation of the existing building began, all hazardous materials in the old structure were environmentally remediated during demolition. The concrete, brick and steel of the old building were repurposed as construction materials. Over 77% of the construction debris was recycled, diverting over 170 tons from landfills. Parking areas have high solar reflective indices. A large underground rainwater storage tank buffers the high volume of rainwater from the roof and the site gradually into the storm drains. The landscaping design also diverts rainwater from the storm sewers. The developers carefully maintained erosion and sediment controls during construction to prevent the city storm sewers from being incapacitated.

Initial ground breaking ceremony of Wilmington's newly reconstructed Lincoln Towers

Interiorly, Lincoln Towers has high-energy efficiency systems and materials. Energy Star appliances were installed in the units to reduce electric consumption. Water source heat pumps in each unit capture the benefits of the high heat transfer properties of water from a common cooling tower to provide efficient heating and cooling. Efficient lighting in the residential units and the common areas reduce the building's heat load and energy consumption. The fiberglass insulation used in the 6" thick exterior walls covered with Tyvek wrap reduces air infiltration. Insulated glass windows have thermal barrier frames.

In addition to conserving energy for residents, the developers of Lincoln Towers wanted to provide a healthy living environment for its residents. As a result, bath and kitchen exhausts and HVAC ventilation were sized to provide a clean supply of fresh air to the building. Materials in wet areas and around tub/shower enclosures were selected for mold prevention. The carpeting in the units is Green Label Certified, and the composite wood used throughout are free of urea formaldehyde.

Clothes dryers in laundry rooms located on each floor are exhausted to the outside. Combustion boilers and water heaters located in the mechanical room on the 1st floor are all vented outside. The underground garage's ventilation system will remove all exhaust fumes and any possible radon gas. The garage concrete slab was constructed with a vapor barrier.

An Integrated Pest Management Plan, a Building Maintenance Manual and an Occupant Manual, along with Homeowner and New Resident Orientation, will ensure the continued effectiveness of the green features, the energy efficiencies and the healthy living environment of the new Lincoln Towers.

For additional information, see "Wilmington, Delaware Celebrates Grand Opening of Lincoln Towers" press release (www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11200716.htm).

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