As Monroe Clinic moves ahead with plans for our new facility, I would like to share our commitment to environmentally responsible construction principles with the community.
How do "environmentally responsible" principles translate to real life? We recycle and reuse whatever we can and use energy efficient, low-emitting and recycled materials as we construct a facility designed to support these principles for many years to come.
To ensure our commitment is fulfilled, Monroe Clinic is employing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) principles in our construction plans. The LEED system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to offer specific standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Examples of these efforts include heat-reducing roofing, energy efficient equipment and lighting, less asphalt pavement to reduce stormwater runoff, and transportation innovations, such as a new employee carpooling program. We also have committed to divert 50 percent of construction waste from disposal and already have begun this process in the present parking construction.
Before the homes located in the construction area were razed, they were offered to the community for $1 plus moving expenses. While we had several inquiries, the offer was not accepted. In addition, the previous homeowner of a purchased property was given the opportunity to remove nearly all useful items prior to demolition. Monroe Clinic also donated many items from the homes to Habitat for Humanity of Green County, including wood cabinetry, light fixtures and fans, hardwood doors, built-ins, dishwashers, doorway framing, radiators and iron registers, and windows. One Habitat family will benefit from a full kitchen of cabinetry. All of these items will help reduce homeowners' mortgages and offer a level of quality that Habitat for Humanity could not typically afford to put into the houses.
We also recycled remaining usable items including bricks and foundation materials, which were used in the parking lot base. A local Boy Scout troop also plans to give some of these bricks a new life as a fire pit. Habitat for Humanity will use the bricks as a border for landscaped flower gardens at a home for a retired couple. We were even able to relocate a garage, which is now being used on our property for storage. As with any construction project, certain items such as roofing materials, drywall and plaster, and old vinyl flooring materials required disposal.
By committing to environmentally sound construction principles, Monroe Clinic also committed to creating and maintaining green space throughout our campus. As with any project of this scale, we had to remove some trees; however, we were able to save and transplant five smaller trees and leave several larger trees standing as well. When the project nears completion, we will plant many new trees to replace those that were lost.
Monroe Clinic's mission addresses our commitment to creating healthy communities through God's healing spirit. We believe a healthy community extends to a healthy environment, and we will strive to serve our mission as we move forward with our facility plans. We understand there is a lot of interest in this project and will continue to welcome any questions community members may have. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our building efforts, feel free to contact me at (608) 324-1671.
How do "environmentally responsible" principles translate to real life? We recycle and reuse whatever we can and use energy efficient, low-emitting and recycled materials as we construct a facility designed to support these principles for many years to come.
To ensure our commitment is fulfilled, Monroe Clinic is employing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) principles in our construction plans. The LEED system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to offer specific standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Examples of these efforts include heat-reducing roofing, energy efficient equipment and lighting, less asphalt pavement to reduce stormwater runoff, and transportation innovations, such as a new employee carpooling program. We also have committed to divert 50 percent of construction waste from disposal and already have begun this process in the present parking construction.
Before the homes located in the construction area were razed, they were offered to the community for $1 plus moving expenses. While we had several inquiries, the offer was not accepted. In addition, the previous homeowner of a purchased property was given the opportunity to remove nearly all useful items prior to demolition. Monroe Clinic also donated many items from the homes to Habitat for Humanity of Green County, including wood cabinetry, light fixtures and fans, hardwood doors, built-ins, dishwashers, doorway framing, radiators and iron registers, and windows. One Habitat family will benefit from a full kitchen of cabinetry. All of these items will help reduce homeowners' mortgages and offer a level of quality that Habitat for Humanity could not typically afford to put into the houses.
We also recycled remaining usable items including bricks and foundation materials, which were used in the parking lot base. A local Boy Scout troop also plans to give some of these bricks a new life as a fire pit. Habitat for Humanity will use the bricks as a border for landscaped flower gardens at a home for a retired couple. We were even able to relocate a garage, which is now being used on our property for storage. As with any construction project, certain items such as roofing materials, drywall and plaster, and old vinyl flooring materials required disposal.
By committing to environmentally sound construction principles, Monroe Clinic also committed to creating and maintaining green space throughout our campus. As with any project of this scale, we had to remove some trees; however, we were able to save and transplant five smaller trees and leave several larger trees standing as well. When the project nears completion, we will plant many new trees to replace those that were lost.
Monroe Clinic's mission addresses our commitment to creating healthy communities through God's healing spirit. We believe a healthy community extends to a healthy environment, and we will strive to serve our mission as we move forward with our facility plans. We understand there is a lot of interest in this project and will continue to welcome any questions community members may have. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our building efforts, feel free to contact me at (608) 324-1671.
