Rockford, Ill. Gets New “Green” Courthouse
Posted by on November 21st, 2011
Allison Azevedo, Great Lakes Regional Commissioner for GSA
In its efforts to recycle resources and redirect reusable materials, the courthouse’s construction achieved an estimated 75 percent recycling rate for its use of debris. Discarded resources were redirected back into the manufacturing process, which then created reusable materials for carpeting, doors, and cabinets.
The building’s sustainable design features include advanced energy management technology, which monitors the courthouse’s operational systems and saves energy. Other sustainable elements of the building are automatic window shading, EnergyStar “cool roof” technology, and highly efficient lighting and HVAC systems. The facility will also house electric vehicle charging stations. All of these features will aid our efforts to secure LEED Gold certification for the building.
The new courthouse was built by a largely local workforce, helping to develop the area’s economy. An estimated 90 percent of the workforce employed in the construction were local residents. Thirty-two businesses from the area helped build the 200,000-square-foot building. Located in downtown Rockford, the courthouse represents a substantial financial investment in the urban center.
The six-story building will house a U.S. district clerk’s office, two bankruptcy courtrooms, three district courtrooms, and offices for U.S. marshals, U.S. attorney, probation and pretrial services, U.S. public defender, Department of Homeland Security and GSA.
Officially dedicated last month, the Roszkowski Courthouse offers a shining example of what may be accomplished with a successful partnership between legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. Further, it exemplifies GSA’s commitment to growing business to strengthen the local economy while helping through sustainable design to reduce our environmental footprint .
Click here to view photos of the dedication ceremony.
In its efforts to recycle resources and redirect reusable materials, the courthouse’s construction achieved an estimated 75 percent recycling rate for its use of debris. Discarded resources were redirected back into the manufacturing process, which then created reusable materials for carpeting, doors, and cabinets.
The building’s sustainable design features include advanced energy management technology, which monitors the courthouse’s operational systems and saves energy. Other sustainable elements of the building are automatic window shading, EnergyStar “cool roof” technology, and highly efficient lighting and HVAC systems. The facility will also house electric vehicle charging stations. All of these features will aid our efforts to secure LEED Gold certification for the building.
The new courthouse was built by a largely local workforce, helping to develop the area’s economy. An estimated 90 percent of the workforce employed in the construction were local residents. Thirty-two businesses from the area helped build the 200,000-square-foot building. Located in downtown Rockford, the courthouse represents a substantial financial investment in the urban center.
The six-story building will house a U.S. district clerk’s office, two bankruptcy courtrooms, three district courtrooms, and offices for U.S. marshals, U.S. attorney, probation and pretrial services, U.S. public defender, Department of Homeland Security and GSA.
Officially dedicated last month, the Roszkowski Courthouse offers a shining example of what may be accomplished with a successful partnership between legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. Further, it exemplifies GSA’s commitment to growing business to strengthen the local economy while helping through sustainable design to reduce our environmental footprint .
Click here to view photos of the dedication ceremony.
Related posts:
- Energy Efficient Courthouse Honors Judge Roll’s Service and Legacy
- Commitment to Green Building Practices Pays Off
- Historic U.S. Custom House Restored
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