May 21, 2003
Central Florida home
to a “Green Building"
Last November, we alerted
regional leaders on the importance of designing environmentally sensitive and
energy efficient buildings, also known as “green buildings,”
to maintain our economic vitality and quality of life.
In the story, “Are We Ready for Green Buildings?” we discussed data
showing Central Florida as the only region in North America located within a very
complex and unique environment. For that reason, it faces a wide range of threats,
including the pressures of urbanization. Although this is an issue that continues
to surface as a regional priority, Portland, New York and Austin have been leading
the nation in this regard for the past 10 years. They are constructing buildings
that are less harmful to the environment by creating healthy indoor air quality
and using renewable resources.
Now, our region has the first “green building” in the state. Stetson
University’s Eugene M. and Christine Lynn Business Center was recently certified
by the U.S. Green Building Council for its environmentally sound practices, like
recycling and energy and water conservation. This national designation has made
the building one of only 51 such projects in the world. You may recognize the
building in the picture, as the Lynn Business Center was host to a series of meetings
with myregion.org, shortly after
undergoing its $12.6 million reconstruction last year.
This is just one example of how Stetson University adheres to environmental responsibility
in its educational and business practices. Florida’s first private university,
Stetson is a comprehensive institution with four distinct programs in arts and
sciences, music, as well as business and law at campuses in DeLand, Celebration
and Gulfport/St. Petersburg.
For more information on Stetson University, go to www.stetson.edu
or to learn about the U.S. Green Building Council go to www.usgbc.org.
|