Pittsburgh HUD Field Office Strikes Silver!

Ribbon cutting ceremony (l to r): Ron Errett, Community Partnership Mercer County; Brad Moore, Representative of Congressman Mike Kelly; a member of North East Manor Council, and Scott Smith, HUD, Chief Production Branch Multi-family Housing

LEED is a Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Products installed and used in the building were selected for their lower environmental impact and health of occupants. The building is located in a serene wooded lot near Lake Erie. The project was funded under the 2008 NOFA for $3,258,300 and received an additional $853,400 in HUD Amendment Funds. The development team included CONSOC consulting, the contractor, the Hudson Group and the architect, John Gruitza.

Silver LEED Designator

Some of the features that contributed to the Silver LEED rating of North East Manor are listed below:

Front view of North East Manor, North East, PA Silver LEED designator

• High Solar Reflective Index roofing reduces the heat island effect on local microclimate and cooling costs
• Efficient plumbing fixtures that allow North East Manor to use 25% less potable water than standard projects and provide savings on utility bills
• Energy STAR appliances
• All paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and carpets meet low-VOC standards
• Native species of plants/tress tolerant to local conditions eliminate the need for irrigation
• All carpet systems meet the requirements of CRI Green Label Plus. Carpet adhesives meet low-VOC requirements--no added urea-formaldehyde was used
• All composite wood is free of urea-formaldehyde (UF), a commonly used resin
• Urea-formaldehyde free cabinetry and countertops
• 100% of regularly occupied spaces have thermal controls, lighting controls, and many have occupancy sensors giving residents complete control over their environment
• Green Seal certified products are used to provide better indoor air quality and a healthier environment
• 100% storm water runoff is treated/filtered on-site through dry wells, pervious green space, storm-water retention and infiltration swales to reduce contamination of local streams and burden on the municipality
• Indoor air quality management includes HVAC
• All ductwork is sealed to prevent dust contamination. Use of temporary heating reduces risk of dust settling in permanent systems, improving air quality for residents.
• Promotes recycling and minimizes waste to reduce landfill burden
• Uses local materials to reduce transport emissions and support regional economies (e.g., hollow core plank, brick, light metal framing, drywall, site concrete)
• 100% recycled materials used include: drywall, structural metal framing, cabinets and countertops
• Recycled 95% of construction waste (50+ tons) reducing landfill burden and the need for raw materials. Forty-five percent of materials used were from regional companies (within 500 miles).
• 90% wood sourced from sustainably-managed forests
• Erosion and sedimentation control strategies prevent contamination of local waterways by eliminating sediment runoff from the site
• Over 65% of the site is open green space
• 91% occupied spaces have direct views of natural surroundings