0807.4550 CB&E [09_07]40

Chicagoland

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Buildings Environments AUTUMN 2007

Top 10 Environmental Concerns in Buildings Schools are Solar Smart Bed Bugs Making Comeback Supreme Court Victories for Clean Air Electricity Rate Deal a Major Boost for Renewable Energy The Weather and Your Landscape Chicagoland Condos Going Green LakeShore East Wins Awards for Parks

11AM-3PM | DECEMBER 12, 2007 | CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER

CONDO LIFESTYLES

State of the

2007

Industry S E M I N A R

2007 Condo Lifestyles State-of-the-Industry Committee ~ Tony Briskovic - Chicagoland Management & Realty ~ Vlatka Puljic - Community Advantage of Barrington Bank & Trust ~ Micky Tierney - Community Specialists ~ Tim Snowden - Heil Heil Smart & Golee ~ Terry Dixon - Lieberman Management ~ Tairre Dever-Sutton - Tairre Management Services ~ Tom Skweres - Vanguard Chicago Participating Speakers (as of 10.22.07): ~ John Cullerton - Illinois State Senator ~ Mark Pearlstein - Levenfeld Pearlstien ~ David Sugar - Arnstein & Lehr ~ Jim Kutill - Appraisal Research Counselors ~ Joe Goetz - Brouwer Bros. Steamatic ~ David Regelbrugge - Environ

Luncheon Keynote Address Followed

by Concurrent Sessions. Topics include: • Real Estate Market Review and Forecast • Environmental Concerns for Buildings • Insurance Issues • Legal Update & State of the Industry Update • Impact of Mortgage Crisis and Current Money Trends (Mortgages, Foreclosures, Evictions,Loans,etc.)

• Updates and Resources will be available on: Gas, Electric, Bulk TV, Managing Capital Projects, Seasonal Flowers & More!

Major Co-Sponsors ~ Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board ~ Kinsella Landscape, Inc.

Chicagoland

Condo Lifestyles

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Buildings Environments

C A L L 7 0 8 . 8 2 2 . 8 1 5 6 F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N

COVER STORY

12 Protecting Calumet Region’s Plants & Animals

02 Top 10 Environmental Concerns in Buildings

By David Mack

13 Electricity Rate Deal a Major Boost for Renewable Energy EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

14 MCD Media Golf Outing

table of contents

16 Editor’s Message 17 Service Directory THE LANDSCAPE BUYER

21 The Weather and Your Landscape

by James A. Fizzell

F E AT U R E S ON THE COVER

Solar Townhomes Courtesy of Nathan Kipnis Nathan Kipnis Architects, Inc.

05 Schools are Solar Smart

By David Mack

GOVERNMENT BRIEFS

09 Bed Bugs Making Comeback

By David John Harris, Smithereen Pest Management Services

23 New Commisioner for Chicago Department of Environment 24 Circulation Profile S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS

25 Chicagoland Condos Going Green

By Hilary Markow

Compiled by Michael C. Davids 11 Soar Beautification Awards

27 LakeShore East Wins Awards for Parks

11 Cool Roof Grant Programs 12 Supreme Court Victories for Clean Air 12 Residents Make Hazardous Waste Collection Event a Success

phone: 847.395.7120 www.balancedenvironmentsinc.com fax: 847.838.6750 autumn 2007

ChiCagoland Building & environmentS

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B Y D AV I D M AC K

Top 10 Environmental Concerns i David Letterman has long been known for, among other things, his top ten lists.

H

e delivers them in reverse order, going from what is seemingly least to most significant in importance, ideally being able to build on each, generating more laughter as he counts up through the list from number ten to number one, much like music rising in a crescendo.

Others have taken a cue from the late night talker and offered their own tabulations in any number of areas, hoping to inject a little humor into their performances or presentations. And so are we by offering a top ten list of Environmental Health Concerns in Buildings based on a compilation by David Regelbrugge of Environ, an international environmental health and safety consulting firm. This list differs, however, from the kind noted above in that it is no laughing matter and it turns Letterman’s style on its head by virtue of being structured in descending order of seriousness in terms of the potential of the identified substances for causing disease and sickness in human beings. Some might disagree with the order in a few places but generally it is pretty accurate.

Top Ten List 01

Asbestos

In its natural state, it is a fibrous mineral that is mined from certain rock types. It has been used in building construction everywhere with its fibers often being mixed or woven into an endless array of building materials. Asbestos can be found in pipe and duct insulation, as spray on fire-proofing and in ceiling and floor tiles, in plaster and in sealing compound for drywall as well as many other building materials.

It was a popular product from the 1940s through the late 1970s until its health hazards were discovered. The EPA banned its use in clothing and “spray on� fire proofing in the early 1970s. Attempts have been made to ban asbestos in all products but these bans have been overturned by court rulings.

Today, asbestos use in building materials is rare but

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in Buildings occasionally identified in materials such as gaskets, floor tiles, adhesive etc.

Asbestos is harmful when inhaled or ingested, which can happen when the tiny fibers become airborne following the physical disturbance of an asbestos containing material or the natural breakdown of the base material. It can cause asbestosis, a debilitating scarring of the lungs, as well as lung and digestive system cancers.

Asbestos can also cause Mesothelioma, a rapidly growing, painful cancer of a membrane that surrounds the lungs and digestive tract.

The only way to really know for sure whether asbestos is present is to have any suspicious material tested by a licensed inspector who will send samples to a lab and then prepare a report on the location and condition of the asbestos containing materials. “Asbestos does not have to be removed but can be managed in place,” said Regelbrugge, adding that that is usually done by monitoring the condition of the materials, repairing it when necessary, enclosing it in an air tight enclosure, etc. In addition, warning labels and training should be used to inform building occupants of the asbestos containing material locations. When implemented correctly, these procedures can prevent the accidental disturbance of the asbestos materials. However, in some cases, such as severe deterioration and/or a high potential for physical damage or disturbance, removal should be considered. If removal is necessary, asbestos removal must be performed by specially trained and licensed professionals.

02

ardous to people when a piece of such equipment is used but, rather, is a potential problem upon disposal of components in land fills where lead may leach out through decomposition into the surrounding terrain and contaminate soil and water.

But, again, as noted previously, the greatest danger posed by the metal is in lead based paint, which has been banned since 1978. Any problem will thus be with buildings constructed prior to that year. Lead has been prohibited in plumbing solder since 1988 but continues to be permitted in electronic solder. However, as the recent recall of various toys has shown, lead paint is still occasionally used in countries outside the U.S. In addition to paint chips, lead can also disintegrate into a powdery form and can get on the hands of people and accidentally ingested or be disturbed and become airborne and incidentally inhaled. Possible adverse health effects include damage to the brain and central nervous system as well as the reproductive and digestive systems. ”Children are more susceptible to lead exposure than adults,” said Regelbrugge. “Studies show it can affect a child’s ability to learn.”

Property owners should know where lead is located in their buildings. Paints that may have been applied prior to 1978 should be tested for lead especially if they have begun to deteriorate.

When such paints are still in tact they should be maintained in good condition or encapsulated. If drinking water passes through pipes containing any lead, it should be tested to see if it is tainted with the metal. The safest way to assure safe water is to replace lead pipes with those that do not contain it. It is recommended that a recycling firm handle the disposal of computer and other electronic devices.

One safety factor for buyers of property- the government requires disclosure of any lead based paint at the closing.

03

Mercury

Also a naturally occurring metal that has been used in marine paints and other building materials primarily because of its anti-microbial properties- it keeps barnacles and algae growth off boat hulls and prevents mold and mildew growth in rubberized gymnasium floors. It is also used in thermometers, switches and valves as well as in energy saving fluorescent lights, and some electronic equipment.

Mercury can be ingested or inhaled and to a lesser extent absorbed through the skin on direct contact. It can be detected visually in thermometers and switches but to find less apparent sources such as contamination caused by spills will require some form of mercury vapor analyzer.

Interestingly, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MCPA) uses a black Labrador named Clancy to sniff out mercury. He is taken to schools and other public facilities to sense the presence of spilled and hidden mercury. Clancy was trained over a period of time to perform such searches, although so far has not found much but not because of a defective olfactory sensor. There just hasn’t been much to discover. To assure that his health is not impaired by any exposure to mercury, Clancy’s blood is tested for mercury every three months.

The MCPA has indicated that old mercury spills pose the greatest health threat to people. In schools mercury pollution has been detected mostly in broken lab and fever thermometers and

Lead

This naturally occurring metal is ranked high among contaminants that, under certain circumstances, can damage human health through extended contact, especially children who unknowingly mouth or chew on the flakes and chips of deteriorating lead based paint. Lead is also used in pipes and pipe solders as well as in electronic devices, such as phones, computers, etc.

Lead is typically contained in the solder contained on the circuit boards of these devices. But Regelbrugge noted that great strides have been made in removing lead from electronics so many newer products no longer contain lead. And lead in its solder form in electronic devices is not really haz-

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broken fluorescent tubes. When Mercury is exposed to the air it can vaporize and be inhaled by unwary individuals. The metal, like lead, is harmful to the central nervous system. Mercury has not been banned by the federal government, although some form of restrictive action is being considered, but individual states such as Maine prohibit its use. Illinois has not moved against the metal. Most manufacturers have voluntarily removed it from the products they manufacture.

The strategy for dealing with mercury includes the replacement of devices that contain it with those that do not and by immediately cleaning up any spills after containing them. Special attention must also be given to prevent any spilled mercury from being tracked into other areas or getting into drains. Large clean ups of spills and contamination or disposal of equipment with mercury should be taken care of by experienced professionals.

04

PolyChlorinated Byphenyls PCB’s

Better known as PCBs, these are oil-like, man made chemicals that have been used in buildings as insulation for electrical systems, in transformers and as light ballast capacitors- ballast regulates the

flow of power in fluorescent lamps. In tube fixtures the ballast is enclosed in the fixture.

PCBs were used from 1930 to 1977 when they were banned, although ballast containing the chemical was produced through 1979. They are a hazard in buildings erected before 1980.

Product labels and laboratory testing are the two ways to detect the presence of PCBs, which are potentially carcinogenic if accidentally ingested and may cause skin disease upon contact.

Ideally, large transformers should be checked by the electric utility to determine if any such chemicals are present. Capacitors containing PCB should be removed from ballast and disposed of by professional handlers.

05

Mold

Mold can be found both inside buildings and outside in nature but when it begins to grow on interior walls and other building materials its existence can be a health hazard for some. It primarily grows on cellulosic building components such as wood or drywall and in ceiling tile and is occasionally found on non-cellulosic materials such as painted steel, plastic surfaces, carpeting, etc. . Mold growth occurs when too much moisture is present

in the air or in the material. Spores from mold or certain chemicals produced by mold can be harmful when inhaled or ingested by humans with respiratory ailments and can also cause infections in individuals who have compromised immune systems. “Over exposure to mold spores can cause an allergic reaction and increased incidence of asthma attacks,” said Regelbrugge, adding, though, that, “most healthy people don’t have problems.”

Recent research has indicated a connection between mold and depression but it is not clear if mold causes depression in some or if the individual’s depression has lead to a lack of building maintenance resulting in excess mold growth.

Whenever mold is found growing inside a building, it should be investigated further and removed. To prevent mold growth, moisture must be controlled. This may be accomplished by controlling or reducing indoor humidity and locating and repairing sources of water infiltration such as plumbing or roof leaks. If the source of moisture can’t be identified, professional assistance should be obtained. In addition, flooding should be addressed immediately. Professional assistance is usually required if the flooding is excessive or mold growth exceeds more than ten square feet.

continued on page 28

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B Y D AV I D M AC K Betty Shabazz International Charter School

Schools are Solar Smart Solar Schools Rock! It may not be the best way to describe them, but it’s slightly better than saying “They ain’t got no solar!”

I

n any case, it’s an observation that you may hear in the years ahead in reference to any business or institution, and perhaps ultimately individual, that fails to make use of the sun as an alternative energy source as environmentalists and other concerned people take them to task for opting to carelessly continue to spew carbon by products of combustion into our slowly degrading atmosphere rather than try to control their output in responsible ways.

Or perhaps little voice may be given to the expression, not only because it is an example of the alleged lowest form of humor, a pun, but also because there is not really anything funny about where the world seems to be heading in terms of

energy and climate unless its human occupants change their heat and light seeking ways. And, too, it may very well be that before it is too late there will be a massive movement away from our reliance on fossil fuels as an energy source and toward tapping the sun (as well as wind and water) to warm our water and spaces and illuminate our surroundings when it’s dark that no person with common sense will be able to resist.

Eventually maybe everyone will go solar at least to some extent.

I seriously doubt that there will ever be a time- that is until the non-renewable sources of energy are totally depleted-when we, as a world, will opt to leave a good portion of the remaining

decayed and transformed plant and animal life from millions of years ago in the ground and go with the glow, blow and flow available on or above the surface of the earth from sources that are not likely to ever be depleted, or with synthesized fuels that are not toxic to the environment. A realistic goal should be to maximize the use of those renewable energy-generating sources and reduce as much as possible our dependence on the black stuff we chop and suck from terra firma.

Educating and Setting an Example at Facilities Now with all that said, I’m going to back off a

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Governor’s State University

Notre Dame High School

Governor’s State University

Wright Community College

bit from the grandiosity and focus solely on solar energy and describe what one small part of one sector of our society is doing to reduce its carbon footprint. Schools are in the forefront of the slowly evolving trend aimed at snaring the sun’s beams to not only heat the water but to some limited extent the living spaces of their buildings, at the same time exploring the possibilities of photovoltaic systems to generate electricity. In and around Chicago an increasing number of our educational institutions have moved in that direction with others planning to follow suit as they work to cut utility costs and preserve the environment. “Solar Smart” schools are also instructing their students in the wisdom and practicality of using alternative energy sources so that interest in sustaining the movement will be carried forward as they mature and will be making energy decisions as adults. Let’s look at a few.

Betty Shabazz International Charter School This institution at 78th and South Ellis in Chicago was started by a group of concerned community leaders to provide better educational opportunities for students in grades K through 8.

Currently the enrollment is 295 students. It is part of the Chicago Public School System but is not

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bound by many of the administrative rules and regulations other schools must follow and there is much more community control.

Since June 2004 the building’s hot water has been provided principally through a 240 square foot solar system whose panels and supporting equipment are mounted on the roof with the heat exchanger and hot water storage unit located in the mechanical room. Over 300 gallons of hot water are produced daily.“ The solar (system) is the primary water heater and if the water is below the desired temperature the (conventional) water heater kicks in,” explained Sarah Feinstein of Niles based Solar Service, Inc., a renewable energy specialist that installed the Shabazz apparatus. “That is how nearly all of our solar thermal systems operate.”

More than Hot Water In addition to hot water, the system also provides space heat via a small wall mounted unit consisting of a copper pipe through which solar heated water is pumped, and a fan. The space being warmed is limited in size and previously had been plagued by uncomfortable temperatures in the winter. “The unit helps to heat an interior hallway entrance that wasn’t sufficiently heated prior to the solar installation,” said Feinstein, who further noted that heating living spaces by solar energy is generally much more difficult than keeping bathrooms and labs provided with warm water. “Solar heating is a good complement to existing heating units but solar is not a good primary source of heat for buildings because it is possible to have many cloudy days in a row in the winter and the solar system needs to reach high temperatures above 110 degrees to assist with space heating.” Perhaps this shortcoming will be eliminated or greatly minimized in future solar applications.

Thermal System Reduces Carbon Dioxide The thermal system is expected to reduce the school’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 5 tons. Solar Service has also estimated that 4 fewer therms of natural gas will be burned daily in the use of the solar equipment and, through its anticipated ability to operate at 100 percent of design performance 70 percent of the year, the annual savings should be approximately 1000 therms.

Principal funding in the form of grants for the installation came from two sources; the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

The thermal system, as all others like it, will be routine maintenance free according to Solar Service. Feinstein did indicate that the anti-freeze solution of propylene glycol, which in combination

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with water forms the mixture that picks up the sun’s heat at the solar panels and carries it to the heat exchanger, may have to be changed after 20 years and equipment such as circulating pumps may fail over a long period, but, “there is no regular maintenance that the system requires- no pumps need to be oiled, the panels don’t need to be cleaned, etc.”

Governor’s State University This institution of higher learning in University Park first became interested in solar power in 2004 when it met with Solar Service to explore possible applications at the school. Subsequently it received funding grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Energy and Recycling and the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to cover 66 percent of the cost of a proposed installation to heat the water in the University’s Olympic swimming pool and to provide domestic hot water for a sizeable part of the school’s physical plant. As is typical with such sun powered set ups it would be backed up by the institution’s existing conventional water heating equipment in times of extreme demand and a diminution of the solar generated supply.

The gymnasium roof is the site of the acquisition apparatus with 64 thermal collectors, each 4 feet wide and 10 feet tall, in groups of 8 that are mounted at a 52-degree angle for optimum effectiveness in gathering the stellar brilliance. The sunlight is converted just as a sealed car is turned into an oven when parked in a place unshielded from the sun’s intense rays. Within each collector is a copper absorber plate covered with a black coating that collects and transfers the heat to

copper riser tubes through which flows the mixture of non-toxic anti-freeze and water. That solution transfers most of its heat content to 8 heat exchangers in the mechanical room, which further transfer the warmth to water, circulated by pumps through the exchanger. The heated water is kept in two 318 gallon insulated storage tanks from which it can be drawn when needed for use throughout the University.

An additional heat exchanger in the mechanical room facilitates the pre-heating of water before it passes through the conventional water heater on its way to the pool. Most of the energy required to heat the pool would have a solar source, as the system is expected to deliver 100 percent of its design performance 7 of every 10 days.

According to Solar Service, which did the installation, “the solar system operation is completely automatic and will collect and deliver heat to the solar storage tanks whenever available.

Even on overcast days the solar thermal collectors will generate heat.” When it is 10 degrees outside, the solar panels on the roof can go up to 200 degrees. Energy cost savings were estimated to be $10,000 a year with that figure rising as the cost of natural gas climbs in ensuing years. In addition, the “system will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60 tons annually,” added Feinstein.

Again, the systems will be routine maintenance free with the solar panels expected to endure for more than 30 years.

An added benefit of GSU’s solar set up will be its service as an instructional mechanism for physics and other students who will be able to gain first hand experience of solar operations through observation, and by doing energy and cost savings computations from hard data col-

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lected by several electronic digital displays and over a score of thermometers.

Wright Community College Consisting of a complex of 7 structures, including the 4-story pyramid housing, the Learning Resource Center, a campus center and a 7-story parking facility at 4300 N. Narragansett, Wright is part of Chicago’s Community College system. It is the first of the group to go solar as the result of installing equipment that will warm 400 gallons of water daily for use in the Science Building, in which the school’s cafeteria is also located. Operation began during the week of June 25, 2007. Primary funding was provided again through grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation as well as the Illinois Renewable Energy Resource Program administered by the Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

First Phase There are two initial phases to the Wright solar program, the first being heating water for school use, which is intended to reduce the school’s utility bills. The broader goals are to protect the environment and educate students and the surrounding community in the advantages of using alternative energy sources.

Wright began a Building Energy Technologies curriculum in 2006 to teach students practical applications of renewable energy concepts and their efficiency in replacing existing systems powered by non-renewable sources. It is through this course of study that the educational benefits of the new installation will flow both to students and beyond the institution’s walls. “The solar hot water

system is a focal point for both our educational curriculum and for our community activities,” explained David Inman, Project Manager of the Building Technologies program. “Wright is an active member in the surrounding community and we will certainly let the community know we are utilizing solar energy and offer tours.”

The 6 solar panels in the layout could not be mounted on the roof because penetrations would nullify warrantees so they have been attached to the penthouse wall of the Science Building. Their configuration has the appearance of a 10-foot by 25-foot awning. Operation is similar to that at Shabazz and Governor’s State. Data on energy savings will not be available until the system has been in operation for a sufficient time to measure the results.

The school’s administrators hope to make even greater use of solar water heating capacity of the existing system during ensuing summers so that it can supplant completely, at least on a periodic temporary basis, the one conventional boiler that it complements. “There is a possibility that the system, once we get it fully dialed in, could allow us to even shut that boiler down for periods- so we could do maintenance and more- and that would be just an outstanding outcome,” explained Inman.

Second Phase The second phase of Wright’s solar plans is a photovoltaic system that is wired into the security lighting system in the parking structure. It also began operation during the week of June 25. Data displays indicate that it is operating above its rated capacity, noted Inman.

Wright would like to expand its harnessing of the sun’s power by adding solar panels to the

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Learning Resource Center for hot water to that building and increasing the number of photovoltaic panels on the parking structure to further enhance the pv lighting system there, but funding is questionable at this time. “We definitely want to see the campus more energy independent,” said Inman, “but securing the money to do so from the District’s budget or another source is a high hurdle to clear.”

Notre Dame High School Notre Dame High School in Niles became the first secondary school in Illinois to adopt solar technology to warm water when it installed a system that furnishes this vital liquid for its science wing. Demand had exceeded the ability of the conventional electric powered heater to provide the required supply so a decision was made to harness the sun’s energy via a solar arrangement capable of heating 200 gallons of water per day.

Through the operation of this three solar panel layout the school expects to reduce its usage of electricity by 14,000 KWH yearly, which should produce a savings of thousands of dollars over the 30 year anticipated life of the equipment, according to Solar Service which installed the apparatus. Approximately 13 fewer tons of carbon dioxide will be discharged into the atmosphere annually. Grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and private foundations should result in the system paying for itself in 3 years.

Looking at Future Jobs As at other schools that have gone solar, Notre Dame expects their system to also serve as a teaching tool for its students to stimulate their interest in careers in the alternative energy field.

“There will be tens of thousands of jobs in renewable energy in the future,” said Tim Herling, Director of Operations at Notre Dame. “Why not put the boys in this school in the front of this industry? If this is the future, let’s start here.”

Notre Dame has other plans- one under consideration is a large solar thermal system to provide hot water to the rest of the campus, including the cafeteria. A photovoltaic system and a wind generator are other future possibilities. In addition, the school has received funding from British Petroleum under its A+ for Energy Program. “ It is a $10,000 grant which will go towards a science curriculum which will explore all aspects of alternative energy across the various areas of science including chemistry, physics, earth science and astronomy,” explained Teresa Connelly, Director of Media Relations for the institution. ≠

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B Y D AV I D J O H N H A R R I S , S M I T H E R E E N P E S T M A N AG E M E N T S E R V I C E S

Bed Bugs Making Comeback Bed bugs began making a slow comeback a few years ago and in the last six months there has been a steep rise in their population.

T

he resurgence is blamed on increased affordable travel allowing people from all socioeconomic classes to travel long distances on commercial flights. The pesticides available to the pest control industry today are not as effective on bed bugs as those used in the past.

Environmental concerns have challenged pest control companies and others involved in fighting these creatures to research alternative methods to control this pest. Bed bugs could pose potential

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liability issues for any building, building owners, management companies, tenants and pest control companies.

What Bed Bugs Are Bed bugs are brown to reddishbrown, 3/16 inch long, flat and oval. The nymphs or immature stages go through a series of five molts (from egg to adult).

They range in size from 2mm to 3/16 inches long and are yellowish to almost translucent in color. The eggs are

extremely small (1mm) and very difficult to detect with the naked eye. Bed bugs can utilize almost every crack and crevice in a building or residence, from baseboards to dressers. They are nocturnal making it difficult to identify all the harborages bed bugs use. Highly trained professionals are able to identify these harborages and determine the infestation levels through a number of clues: • Shed Exoskeleton • Fecal Droppings • Live and Dead Bed Bugs • Possible Pathways into Buildings and Residences

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How They Get In Infestations can grow rapidly under radar and if not caught early can spread easily. Bed bugs can spread very easily from unit to unit in a multi-resident building or offices and the best and most effective way to eliminate bed bugs is to inspect and treat all units or offices surrounding the infested one.

Bed bugs have utilized almost every pathway into buildings and residences.

When was the last time you had furniture delivered to your office or residence? Do they pick up old furniture? How long has your furniture been on the truck next to old furniture (was this furniture infested?)? Was your hotel room infested?

What about the theater, library, school?

Once you have them, it doesn’t matter where they came from, all that matters is getting rid of them.

Fighting Bed Bugs To combat this pest, quality oriented pest management services have developed highly trained and experienced specialist teams. These teams have been trained in

all aspects of bed bug control from inspection to communication to confidentiality with the customer.

Each situation is unique and several treatment techniques can be used according to need. These programs depend upon the infestation levels and the needs of the problem and related situations. Bed bug management is labor intensive and requires more than one treatment.

Effective treatment requires a certain amount of preparation by the customer before any treatment can begin.

There is a perception that bed bugs are linked to sanitation, but this in not true. Bed bugs feed on us while we sleep in our beds and can leave a long lasting, traumatic impression.

Bed Bug Pointers Here are some pointers to follow if bed bugs are suspected: • Call a Bed Bug Specialist. They will provide a proper thorough inspection and proper identification of the harborage areas.

throughout the residence or building.

Most pieces of furniture can be inspected and treated.

• Do not remove any bedding or clothing from the infested room. This can spread the problem. If you need to move these items, place them in large plastic garbage bags, seal them tight and then move them.

• If washing clothes, place them in plastic bags and take them directly to the washer. After washing, immediately place them in the dryer. When taking your clothes back to your residence, once again place the clothes in a clean bag.

• Pull the bed away from the wall so there is no contact with any other objects that are touching the bed.

• Remove any items that are stored under the bed. Remember to bag them if moving them out of the infested room.

• Eliminate any clutter (piles of clothing, bags, boxes, closets, etc.). These conditions provide numerous harborages for bed bugs and make treatment and elimination more difficult. ≠

• Do not throw out the bed or any furniture. This can spread the bedbugs

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autumn 2007

COOL ROOF GRANT PROGRAM Chicago mayor richard m. daley joined department of environment Commissioner Suzanne malec-mcKenna on october 16th in announcing the City’s new environmental initiative: the Cool roof grant program. “there simply is no downside when it comes to preserving and protecting the environment,” said mayor daley at a press conference on the rooftop of 1825 West Wabansia, a 2005 green roof grant recipient. “the Cool roof grant program will give residences, small businesses and the industrial sector the opportunity to reduce cooling costs, increase the life cycles of their roofs, and reduce maintenance requirements.” the City of Chicago will provide $185,000 in Cool roof grants, or approximately 55 grants of up to $6,000 each. the program will help eligible building owners who want to meet or exceed ePa energy Star cool roof standards. the standards are intended to reduce the urban heat island effect - or the warming caused in cities when heat is absorbed by pavement and other dark surfaces. a cool roof uses special materials to reflect the sun’s heat off the roof surface instead of warming the building below. daley also talked about the importance of green roofs and announced that applications were available for the City’s green roof grant program. “as well as saving building owners money,

green roofs and cool roofs improve the environment and contribute to a healthy city,” said mayor daley. “these are the kinds of things that improve the quality of life in a city. our trees, flowers, fountains and benches soften the city’s rough edges, add some color and make people feel more at peace with the urban environment.” the City will provide $100,000 in green roof grants, or approximately 20 grants of up to $5,000 each. the grants are used toward the cost of installing green roofs on residential buildings, commercial building and select schools. the department of environment launched the program in 2005. it awarded 20 grants the first year, and 40 grants in 2006. a green roof consists of plants and soil, or other lightweight growing medium, installed on top of a waterproofing membrane. it absorbs rainfall, which helps reduce flooding in homes and neighborhoods. it improves water quality by filtering pollutants from rainwater. green roofs and cool roofs both reduce air temperatures inside and outside of buildings, which means less electricity demand and better air quality. application forms are available on the City’s website www.cityofchicago.org/environment, or at the department of environment, 30 north laSalle Street, Suite 2500. applications for Cool roof grants will be accepted and awarded on an ongoing basis, subject to funding availability. applications for green roof grants are due January 11, 2008.

SOAR BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS

253 e. delaware Condominium association was awarded the Soar Beautification award in the residential category on September 24th at a presentation at the drake hotel. accepting the award on behalf of the 253 association were Carolyn Bull, on-site manager and Bill Palm, Property Supervisor for the building’s managing agent, Community Specialists. northwestern university – abbott hall Park received the award in the institution category and east lake Shore drive association received the award in Perennial category. the awards were presented by mark Schulman of eli’s Cheesecake and roz hecim, Co-Chair of the lake Shore Park garden Club.

Baum

Property Services, AAMC

Professional Community Management

Contact: Michael D. Baum, CPM, PCAM

630-897-0500 www.BaumProp.com autumn 2007

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SUPREME COURT VICTORIES FOR CLEAN AIR on april 2, 2007, the u.S. Supreme Court handed down two important Clean air act decisions. in massachusetts v. ePa, the court ruled that the u.S. environmental Protection agency (uS ePa) has the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles that scientists say contribute to global warming and climate change. the uS ePa had argued that under the Clean air act, it did not have sufficient statutory authority to enforce such measures. illinois joined massachusetts and 10 environmental organizations as petitioners in the case. “today’s Supreme Court victory is an important first step in ensuring that the uS ePa takes all appropriate action to effectively deal with climate change,” said attorney general lisa madigan. the Supreme Court also today unanimously turned back a Clean air act new Source review challenge by duke energy Corporation regarding a virginia power plant. illinois filed an amicus brief in environmental defense Fund v. duke energy

Corp. in support of the uS ePa’s contention that companies who make changes to polluting facilities such as power plants and refineries must update their pollution control equipment whenever those changes increase the total amount of pollution emitted annually – for example, where the changes allow the plant to operate more hours per day or more days per year. duke energy had argued that the control equipment upgrades were only required for expansions of plant capacity that result in more pollution emitted per hour. “the u.S. Supreme Court today preserved the clear provisions of the Clean air act, which safeguard the air we breathe from factories, refineries and power plants by requiring modern pollution controls on plants that increase their emissions,” said madigan. “the court recognized that these controls have to be installed not just on the rare occasions when companies expand plant capacity, but whenever they make changes that result in more pollution over time.”

RESIDENTS HELP MAKE HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENT A SUCCESS over 1,660 households participated in the year’s household hazardous Waste Collection event, held on Saturday June 2nd which collected approximately 14,923 gallons of waste. this one-day event, co-sponsored by duPage County and the illinois environmental Protection agency, was held at the duPage County complex in Wheaton. “this event was a huge success because of the commitment to a healthy environment shown by over 1,660 duPage County families that participated in our household hazardous Waste Collection,” said Jeff redick, Chairman of the County’s environmental Committee. “more families and households took part in this year’s event, and we collected 5,000 more gallons of waste than in the prior event hosted here. that means there are over 14,923 gallons of hazardous materials that we

know have been properly disposed and will not end up contaminating our soil or ground water.”

Some of the hazardous materials collected at this year’s event include: 120 propane cylinders; 34.65 gallons of mercury; 2, 420 gallons of paint; 1,210 gallons of motor oil; 275 gallons of antifreeze; and 4,141.50 gallons of various poisons. “maintaining a safe and healthy environment is our responsibility,” said redick. “i am proud that duPage County has been a driving force in countywide conservation and i am committed to increasing our efforts in that area.”

For more information, please visit the County’s website at www.dupageco.org/edp/ and click on “Waste and recycling” for updated information on the regional household hazardous Waste Facility, options for latex Paint and other recycling opportunities or call the event hotline at (630) 407-6760.

government briefs ENVIRON & BOELTER ASSOCIATES Joseph h. highland, Ph.d., C.e.o. of environ holdings, inc. (environ), and Fred Boelter, C.i.h., P.e., Founder and Chairman of Boelter associates(Boelter), have announced environ has acquired Boelter associates - the largest single acquisition in the firm’s history. in making the announcement, highland commented, “through working together with Fred and his colleagues, we have been impressed by Boelter’s technical expertise, professional resources, industry reputation, and marketplace presence, which are highly compatible with environ.” the addition of Boelter’s organization of 50 positions us to offer clients a significantly expanded array of in-depth occupational health & safety and building sciences expertise.

Boelter commented, “We are delighted to be joining environ, a firm equally committed to the goals of maintaining scientific integrity in client engagements and delivering value that we believe is unique in our industry.” he continued,

“Professional synergies abound - our architectural, scientific, engineering, and geologic practice areas complement, expand, and add practical depth to environ’s established building energy conservation and indoor environmental quality practices.” an international environmental and health sciences consulting firm with 65 offices in the americas, europe, and asia Pacific, environ partners with worldwide clients to assess and manage the potential environmental, health, and energy issues associated with their activities and products. the firm supports clients’ efforts to reduce or eliminate health and environmental impacts across their business life cycles. located in Park ridge, illinois, Boelter provides industrial hygiene, safety, environmental engineering, and building sciences consulting, risk management, and dispute resolution services to a wide range of clients, including architects, developers/property managers, commercial and industrial companies, attorneys, universities, and local governments.

12 C h i C a g o l a n d B u i l d i n g & e n v i r o n m e n t S

Protecting Calumet Region’s Plants and Animals mayor richard m. daley today joined environmental officials in releasing the Calumet ecotox Protocol, a framework for protecting the plants and animals in the Calumet region as it is restored for environmental and industrial uses. “this protocol provides a standardized, systematic, state-of-the-art approach to evaluating all the environmental data, so we can set priorities for cleaning up the area,” daley said at a news conference at harborside international golf Center, 11001 S. doty ave. “it’s a road map for protecting plants and wildlife while we restore the Calumet area.” the City and State agreed in 2000 on a joint plan for sustainable growth in the Calumet area which addresses the future needs and compatibility of both environmental and industrial uses in the 20-square-mile region on the city’s Far South Side. the Calumet initiative designated 3,900 acres as an open space reserve and 3,000 acres for economic development. “this area contains some of the few remaining wetlands in illinois, and it serves as habitat for more than 40 percent of our state’s endangered species,” daley said. “at the same time, it has great potential for economic development. this was once a center of heavy industry, and it contains 60 percent of the available industrial land in the city.” the protocol was developed over three years by representatives of the Chicago departments of environment and law, Chicago Park district, illinois environmental Protection agency, illinois department of natural resources, illinois attorney general’s office, Waste management and research Center, illinois natural history Survey, u.S. environmental Protection agency, u.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Forest Preserve district of Cook County. it is designed to: • Provide guidance and standardize the approach for evaluating open spaces.

• Provide an approach to evaluating site data with a focus on potential impacts on ecological receptors at the site.

• assist stakeholders in prioritizing sites to be restored.

• help stakeholders design the site restoration to address chemical contamination. the protocol will initially be applied toward the restoration of the hegewisch marsh, which will also be the home of the Ford Calumet environmental Center. the u.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is contributing $750,000 toward the hegewisch marsh project. “this protocol will help us turn the Calumet area into a real showplace for the Chicago area, a place where people will come to work, to play and to enjoy the natural environment,” daley said. in addition, he said, the o’hare modernization Program will be contributing toward wetlands development in the Calumet region as part of its program to leave northeastern illinois with more wetlands than it had before the o’hare project began.

autumn 2007

Electricity Rate Deal a Major Boost for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on July 26, 2007, illinois took a a big stride forward in reducing global warming pollution with two provisions of the new electricity rate legislation. the legislation includes historic standards for electricity created by renewable sources such as wind power, biomass and solar power, as well as requiring energy efficiency programs that will effectively stop the growth of electricity use in the state. the bill requires that 25 percent of the electricity procured for illinois customers will be generated from clean, renewable energy by 2025, making illinois one of the top states in the country for goals for renewable. the efficiency program ramps up to a target of reducing load by 2% per year, which will have the effect of stopping growth of electricity use in illinois. together, the two provisions will reduce global warming emissions by tens of millions of metric tons every year and save consumers roughly $2 billion dollars per year by 2020. the illinois Senate unanimously passed these renewable energy and efficiency provisions earlier this session as the affordable, Clean energy Standards act (S.B. 1184), championed by State Senator don harmon (d-oak Park) and carried into the illinois house by State representative deborah graham (d-oak Park). With ongoing and critical support from attorney general madigan, Senate President Jones and Speaker madigan, these strong new provisions were incorporated into the rate legislation.

in an era of increasing electric rates, energy efficiency is the only way to reduce customers’ bills over the long term. By reducing peak power use, helping customers use less electricity in a sustainable way, and investing in renewable sources that have the potential to provide electricity at a lower price than fossil fuel sources, the provisions will probably provide more money to many customers over the years than the rebates currently being debated. renewable energy resources will also allow the utilities to lock in stable prices for the electricity purchased from the sources. Creation of new wind farms can proceed with the knowledge that there will be a demand for the electricity, and farmers can look toward a new market in biofuels. however, ieC and the state’s leading environmental organizations also expressed concern that the bill allows the State of illinois to build a new coal fired power plant. the power plant would not be required to use technology to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions, posing the threat that this plant could offset the environmental benefits of the renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. “in this day and age, to build a new coal plant without dealing with the carbon dioxide emission would be an almost unimaginable step backward,” said Jonathan goldman, ieC’s executive director.

“But this provision allows a loophole, and we are going to work to make sure that the state doesn’t let any new facility use that loophole.”

government briefs

Community Specialists, Inc. Community Specialists has recently been named managing agent at the Clinton Complex at 500 South Clinton, the transportation Building at 600 S. dearborn Street, 1111 South Wabash Condominium association, the hermitage at 70 West huron, museum Park tower Condominiums at 1335 South Prairie and 50 east Chestnut Condominiums. michele tierney recently joined Community Specialists, inc. as Senior Property Supervisor. in this capacity, ms. tierney oversees the professionals and on site management of several of the condominium properties managed by the company.

She has over 14 years of experience in property management. Prior to joining Community Specialists, micky was a property supervisor for nine properties for gittleman management Corporation in Bloomington, minnesota. in 1999, she relocated to Chicago and held the position of property manager at draper and Kramer, inc and property supervisor atthe habitat Company. She has degrees in Psychology and Physical education from university of minnesota.

John nordquist joined Community Specialists as a Senior Property Supervisor in September 2007. John has over 35 years of property management experience in condominium, rental, co-op and commercial property management. For the past 20 years, his main focus has been in condominium management and supervision of capital projects for condominiums. Prior to joining Community Specialists, he served as vice President for the Charles ringer real estate Company, assistant vice President at draper & Kramer inc. autumn 2007

Condominium division, and most recently as vice President at the habitat Co. supervising condominiums and assisting in the development of new business for the division.

Patty madden has been named new operations manager at 900/910 lake Shore drive Condo association. meredith moran is the new administrative assistant at Kinzie Park Condominium association. Peg o’Brien has joined Community Specialists as manager of Clinton Complex at 500 South Clinton, Chicago. Sparkle Carter has been named new assistant manager at Burnham Park Plaza. Bruce moore is currently managing 30 east elm. gidget Curtis is the property manager at the hermitage. amy Kynaston is property manager at the transportation Building. Candy Starbuck is property manager at 1111 South Wabash. Barbara van vlymen is property manager for 50 east Chestnut Condominiums. amy Schlueter is part time assistant for both the transportation Building and 1111 South Wabash. maria mendoza has joined the Community Specialists corporate staff in accounting. She has over 6 years of community association experience.

ChiCagoland Building & environmentS

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MCD Media Golf Outing

Tourney Winners

▲ Nick Agosto, Ryan Mattson & Andrea Barghini Simplex-Grinnell, Sal Sciacca - Chicago Property Services and guest Bob Harrera, Grace Lawler and Pete Santangelo –Community Advantage of Barrington Bank & Trust.

▲ (LtoR) Rick Dubois-DuBois Paving, Larry Lolli –PSI,(front) Cathy Ryan –PSI, Jim Ryan.

▲ Rudy Karastanovic, Emil Karastanovic, Tony Briskovic and Brian Kelly- Chicagoland Management & Realty

1ST PLACE FOuRSOME LOw GROSS SCORE Tony Briskovic– Chicagoland Management & Realty Brian Kelly– Chicagoland Management & Realty Rudy Karastanovic– Chicagoland Management & Realty Emil Karastanovic– Chicagoland Management & Realty 2ND PLACE TEAM George Kinsella –Kinsella Landscape, Inc. George Kinsella Jr.–Kinsella Landscape, Inc. Bill Palm –Community Specialists, Inc. Dave Singler –Kinsella Landscape, Inc. 3RD PLACE TEAM Greg Semmer –Kinsella Landscape, Inc. Tim Allwardt –Aegis Properties, Inc. Steve Regan-Kinsella Landscape, Inc. Tim Conway–Golub & Co

Major Sponsors Kinsella Landscape, Inc. Landscape Concepts Management, Inc. Riggio/Boron, Ltd. PuTTING CONTEST SPONSOR (FOR SPECIAL OLyMPICS) DuBois Paving

▲ (LtoR) John Costelloe –Landscape Concepts Management, Inc., Christine Evans - Julie Cihlar, Kim Merrigan, and Linda Sessler - Vanguard Community Management

▲ Tim Allwardt- Aegis Properties, Steve Regan, Greg Semmer, George Kinsella Jr, George Kinsella, Sr., Dave Singler - Kinsella Landscape, Inc., and Bill Palm Community Specialists.

HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSORS Community Advantage of Barrington Bank & Trust Kinsella Landscape, Inc Landscape Concepts Management, Inc. Seal-Tight Protective Services, Inc. BOCCE TOuRNEy SPONSOR Kinsella Landscape, Inc

▲ (LtoR) Frank Gonzalez –Klein and Hoffman, Mark Grove - Grove Masonry Maintenance, Barry Katz – Omnibus Services, and Mike Baum –Baum Property Services.

▲ Marty McDonagh -Property Specialists, Inc., Roy Settler - McGill Management, Jason LensinkHollinger Services, and Terry Holum -Landscape Concepts Management

▲ Brian Rodriguez - Seal-Tight Protective Services, Inc., Mike Forsell - Heil Heil Smart & Golee and Bill Rodriguez -Seal-Tight Protective Services, Inc

▲ (LtoR) Steven Riggio - Riggio/Boron, Ltd. with guests Eric Taylor, John Lamb, and Paul Eleftheriou

14 C h i C a g o l a n d B u i l d i n g & e n v i r o n m e n t S

HOSPITALITy CART/FOOD & BEVERAGE SPONSORS Baum Property Services in memory of Francis Jara (keg of beer at reception) Chicagoland Buidlings & Environments Hollinger Services Insurance Landscape Concepts Management, Inc. 2007 MCD GOLF COMMITTEE Co-Chairs - Tim Conway –Golub & Co, Greg Semmer – Kinsella Landscape, Inc. Mike Baum –Baum Property Services, Tracy Davis-McGill Management, Tairre DeverSutton-Tairre Management, Terry Dixon-Aegis Properties, Tony Dister-community Advantage of Barrington Bank & Trust, Mike Forsell-Heil, Heil Smart & Golee, Mark Neville-Hard Surface Solutions, Cathy Ryan-Property Specialists, Inc., Sal Sciacca-Chicago Property Services, Tom Skweres-Vanguard Chicago and Tom Wykle-B.T.Lakeside Roofing.

autumn 2007

COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE®

Jones & Jones Inc.

Vanguard Chicago

linda Schiff, President of CommunitY advantage®, is pleased to announce the addition of Frank Coleman to the CommunitY advantage team as a relationship manager and assistant vice President.

Coleman has more than 20 years of treasury management, sales and relationship banking experience. most recently, Coleman worked as a relationship manager at amCore Bank in algonquin. he was formerly employed as a regional vice president at Perimeter internetworking, a regional manager of interlinq Software Corp. and a business banker at Bank of america.

Coleman is also a former school board official for huntley School district 158. he received a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration from arizona State university.

James Bouse has been named President of Jones and Jones, inc based in lisle, il. mary Jones plans to retire after 36 years in the community property management. She will serve at Chief executive officer for the next few years. the property management and long time members of support staff remains. mr. Bouse has extensive experience in community management and commented, “i look forward to carrying on the tradition of high quality personalized service to the communities we manage.”

vanguard Community management is pleased to announce the formation of a new division of the company. vanguard Chicago will be headed by President tom Skweres with the goal of bringing the resources, stability and national presence of the country’s largest residential management company to a local level where personal attention to building administration, operations and customer satisfaction is paramount. the announcement was made by vanguard president Christine evans. vanguard Community management is an associa member company. Founded in 1979, associa now has 70 associa member offices around the country and employs over 2300 management professionals. tom brings 25 years of condominium management experience to associa urban. tom was most recently the vice President and director of the Condominium management division of the habitat Company.

Lieberman Management Services terry dixon has recently joined lieberman management as a district manager. ms. dixon has over 25 years of community association experience.

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autumn 2007

ChiCagoland Building & environmentS

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&

Buildings Environments

T

editor’s message

Chicagoland

hings that are good for our environment and green issues have become increasingly popular in the mass media in the past year. it’s

Volume 3, No. 1, Autumn 2007

really great to see so many organizations and individuals working toward the

THE

common goal of making our buildings more environmentally friendly.

Landscape La Lan ndscap scapee BBuyer uyer uy er Volume 14, No. 1, Autumn 2007

We very much appreciate the positive input we have received from many of you about our Chicagoland Buildings & environments (CBe) publication. With your help we will continue to serve as a source of practical independent information on environmental issues for Chicagoland buildings and facilities. We hope you can gain some insight from the various examples we have selected to help you manage the properties you are involved with.

Editor & Publisher Michael C. Davids Vice President Sherri Iandolo Art Director Rick Dykhuis Contributing Writers James A. Fizzell, Cathy Walker, David Mack

our cover story for this issue of CBe “top ten environmental Concerns in Buildings” offers an overview of the most common environmental concerns that are presently found in buildings of all ages. two of our special features focus on specific types of buildings along with the owners, developers and mangers of these types of facilities. “Schools are Solar Smart” showcases the efforts of several area educational facilities while “Chicagoland Condos going green” profiles several community association properties and their recent emphasis on green buildings. one of the main things this story reveals is that in the case of condo buildings (and most buildings really), it is much more feasible, from a financial perspective, for newly constructed buildings to incorporate green building technologies and trends than it is for existing structures. our government Briefs columns includes information on recent Supreme Court victories for clean air,

Circulation & Administration

Chicago’s Cool rooF grant Program and how the recent electricity rate deal provides a boost for renew-

Carol Iandolo, Mary Knoll, Arlene Wold

able energy. We also congratulate Sadhu Johnston and Suzanne malec-mcKenna on their new appointments in key environmental positions in Chicago.

The Landscape Buyer and Chicagoland Building & Environments is published Winter/Spring and Summer/Autumn by MCD Media, as informational and educational tools for the buyers, users and providers of green industry products and services. For editorial, advertising and

Jim Fizzell’s regular column on the weather and your landscape provides some helpful tips on preparing your outdoor landscape for the winter and insight on how the past season’s weather has effected your plants and landscape. our regular industry happenings column along with highlights from a variety of special events and awards programs can also be found in this issue.

subscription information contact: 935 Curtiss, Suite 5, Downers

We look forward to exploring other green building trends and issues in coming issue of CBe. if you

Grove, IL 60515, 630-932-5551 or 630-663-0333. Fax: 630-

have a green story to share, or if your property has a special need or challenge, mcd media produces special

663-0339 or 630-932-5553.

events that feature a variety of resources and experts specializing in current issues. many members of our CBe advisory board will attend these events. there are also key resources from our sister publication –Condo

CIRCULATION: The Landscape Buyer and Chicagoland Building & Environments maintains a circulation of 7,000.

Subscriptions are available for $19.95 per year. Group subscriptions are available at $13.95 each, per year (orders of 5 or more). Single issues are available for $10.95.

lifestyles available at our special events. mCd special events provide a terrific forum for purchasing professionals to get questions answered, meet new vendors, share a story idea, or socialize with other volunteers and professionals. Please consider attending our upcoming State of the industry program on december 12th at the Chicago Cultural Center. one of the major topics we will discuss is environmental issues for Buildings and other green trends. You can

All material herein is copyrighted. No part of this publica-

find more information and a registration form on the front inside cover of this issue. Please make plans to

tion may be reproduced whatsoever without written con-

join us. if for some reason you are unable to attend, we wish you a very happy holiday season.

sent from the publisher.

thanks to the many new subscribers that found our publications useful and informative. Special thanks to the firms, associations and groups that are authorized distributors of Chicagoland Buildings and

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is issued with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal or accounting services. If legal advice is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

environments, the landscape Buyer and Condo lifestyles. those of you who are interested in becoming subscribers can obtain subscription information on page 15 of this issue. as we continue to grow our new venture, we encourage you to make your environment and your community all it can be. ≠ Michael C. Davids Editor and Publisher

16 C h i C a g o l a n d B u i l d i n g & e n v i r o n m e n t S

autumn 2007

Professional Services Directory

Quality Restorations (630) 595-0990

ARCHITECTS / ENGINEERS

ASPHALT

Coder Taylor Associates 847-382-4100

Hard Surface Solutions 815-344-8400 / 630-674-4520

Architects • Research • Engineering Specifications • Reserve Studies

Contact Mark Neville

Full Circle Architects 847-831-0884

Maul Asphalt & Seal Coating 630-420-8765

Capital Improvements • Reserve Studies Engineering Reports

Sealcoating / Crack-Sealing / Striping Asphalt Installation www.maulasphalt.com

773-665-9900 Specializing in the restoration and repair of high rise buildings.

2000 N. Racine Ave., #4800 Chicago, Illinois 60614

Klein and Hoffman, Inc. Structural and Restoration Engineers

312-251-1900 Building Envelope Structural Renovation/Adaptive Reuse Curtainwall/Windows / Capital Maintenance Planning New Structural Design, Civil/Environmental Marine/Waterfront Structures Transportation Facilities www.kleinandhoffman.com

General Contractors Masonry & Concrete Restoration, Facade Repairs, Terra Cotta, Stone, Sealants, Sealers, Protective Coatings, Expansion Joints, Balconies, Plazas www.nrsys.com

ATTORNEYS

A Total Exterior Facade Restoration Company

Orum & Roth, Ltd. 312-922-6262

www.RiggioBoron.net

847-531-5700

Intellectual Property Law Trademarks • Patents Condominium Law General Litigation Contact Mark D. Roth

BANKING Community Advantage of Barrington Bank & Trust 847-304-5940 Loans, Reserve Investments & Lock Box Services

LM Consultants, Inc. 847-573-1717

BUILDING RESTORATIONS

Reserve Analysis Studies Property Evaluations Maintenanace Procedure Review ADA & Code Compliance Studies

Central Building & Preservation L.P. (312) 666-4040

www.lmconsultants.com

National Restoration Systems, Inc. (847) 483-7700

Riggio/Boron Ltd.

Gustitus Group, Inc. ARCHITECTURE/PRESERVATION/CONSULTING

BUILDING RESTORATIONS

Since 1924 Tuckpointing Masonry Repairs & Reconstruction Concrete Restoration / Facade Inspections Sealant & Caulking Application

CONCRETE Concrete By Sennstrom (630) 406-1200 CUSTOM CONCRETE DESIGNS Install New Concrete / Remove Old Concrete Waterproof Concrete Repair Concrete / Seal Concrete Walks • Pool Decks • Balconies Professional Service Since 1970

Hard Surface Solutions 815-344-8400 / 630-674-4520 Concrete Flatwork Specialists Asphalt Paving Curbs & Driveways / Sidewalks Footings & Foundations Colored & Stamped Concrete Aggregate Finish Concrete Contact Mark Neville

DUCT CLEANING Brouwer Brothers Steamatic All types of Environmental Cleaning.

800 CLEAN54 (253-2654) 708-396-1447 (24-hour service line)

For Display or Professional Services Directory Advertising Info, Call (630) 663-0333 autumn 2007

ChiCagoland Building & environmentS

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ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION McGinty Brothers Professional Lawn & Tree Care 847-438-5161

FIRE SAFETY & PROTECTION

IRRIGATION

Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB) 866-2NIFSAB (866-264-3722) 708-403-4468

NatureScape Design Irrigation & Water Features Contact Paul Layshock or Jean Singleton

Pizzo & Associates 815-495-2300

www.firesprinklerassoc.org

847-639-6900

ELEVATORS/CONSULTANTS

Team Fire Protection (847) 537-1616

LAKE & POND CLEANING

www.tmi.com

Organic Sediment Removal Systems (608) 565-7105

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

contact: Rich Kohutko www.pondclean.com

Otis Elevator Co. 312-575-1629 FORECLOSURE & EVICTION RELATED SERVICES

Kinsella Landscape, Inc. 708-371-0830

Brouwer Bros. Steamatic (800) CLEAN54

“A New Class of Landscape Service”

Photo Inventory, Moving, Storage or Disposal www.bbsteamatic.com

HVAC

Acres Group

Team Mechanical (847) 537-1616

E.L. Johnson Investigations, Inc. (312) 583-1167

www.tmi.com

(312) 583-1169 FAX

State Licensed Private Detectives All Types of Investigations Specialization in Foreclosure Process Service and Eviction Notices on Foreclosed Property stacey@eljohnson.com

FIRE / FLOOD RESTORATION Brouwer Brothers Steamatic All types of Environmental Cleaning.

Air & Exhaust Duct Cleaning • Mold Remediation Garbage Chute Cleaning • Carpet & Drapery Cleaning Photo Inventory, Moving, Storage or Removal

800 CLEAN54 (253-2654) 708-396-1447 (24-hour service line) www.bbsteamatic.com

The Restoration Group, LLC 630-580-5584 www.therestorationgroupllc.com

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS Professional Landscaping and Snow Removal

1-888-231-1800 www.acresgroup.com

Alan Horticultural Services, Inc. 630-739-0205

INSURANCE Hollinger Services, Inc. 847-437-2184 Mesirow Financial www.condorisk.com 312-595-8135 INTERNET TECHNOL0GY Mutual Vision 800-261-9691 x404

Balanced Environments 847-228-7230 wwwbalancedenvironmentsinc.com

DLC Professional Landscape Management 708-824-1020 Complete Landscape & Snow Removal Services Since 1982

Contact Matt Hook www.mutualvision.com Websites For Community Associations Technology Promotes Community Awareness & Member Participation Information & Technology Consulting Services

18 C h i C a g o l a n d B u i l d i n g & e n v i r o n m e n t S

autumn 2007

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS

MOLD REMEDIATION

PAVING

Brouwer Brothers Steamatic ILT Vignocchi 847-487-5200

Kinsella Landscape, Inc. 708-371-0830 “A New Class of Landscape Service”

Sebert Landscaping, Inc. 630-497-1000 www.sebert.com

Thornapple Landscapes, Inc. 630-232-2076 / 800-464-3443 Quality Landscaping Since 1947 www.thornapplelandscapes.com

LANDSCAPE & SITE LIGHTING John Deere Landscapes 815-469-7575 LAWN CARE McGinty Brothers Professional Lawn & Tree Care 847-438-5161 Spring Green Professional Lawn & Tree Care 800-830-5914

All types of Environmental Cleaning.

800 CLEAN54 (253-2654) 708-396-1447 (24-hour service line)

Maul Asphalt & Seal Coating 630-420-8765

NUISANCE WILDLIFE

Sealcoating / Crack-Sealing / Striping Asphalt Installation www.maulasphalt.com

Smithereen Pest Management Services 847-647-0010 PEST MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFICE RENTAL/LEASING Smithereen Pest Management Services 800-336-3500

The Alter Group 630-620-3600 www.altergroup.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PAINTERS AAA Painting Contractors, Inc. 630-231-8350

Alter Asset Management 630-620-3600 www.altergroup.com

www.aaapaintco.com

Corbrook Enterprises 847-604-0857

Baum Property Services, LTD., AAMC 630-897-0500 Caruso Management Group, Inc. Residential & Commercial

Painter’s Touch Services, Inc. 630-372-8400

630-717-7188 www.carusomg.com

Heil, Heil, Smart & Golee PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT

Real Estate Since 1885

847-866-7400 / 773-273-3434 Spies & Associates

www.hhsg.com

Engineering • Pavement Analysis Construction Management & Inspection

For Display or Professional Services Directory Advertising Info, Call (630) 663-0333 autumn 2007

McGill Management, Inc. 847-259-1331

847-577-8808 PAVING DuBois Paving 847-634-6089 / 800-884-4728 www.DuBoisPaving.com

ChiCagoland Building & environmentS

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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

ROOFTOP GARDENS

Tairre Management (847) 299-5740

Architecture Preservation & Consulting Sustainable Archiecture / Green Roofs

TREE CARE & PRESERVATION

Gustitus Group, Inc. Autumn Tree Care 847-729-1963

tsutton@tairremgmt.com

773-665-9900

Vanguard Chicago

SIDING / RENOVATIONS

Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc. 630-293-5444

B.T. Lakeside Roofing 630-628-0093

Tree Pruning, Tree Removal, Cable Bracing, Plant Health Care, Tree Planting & Transplanting E-mail: KramerTree@aol.com

Management as Individual as You Are Tom Skweres

312-663-9830 / 847-882-1301 ROOFING B.T. Lakeside Roofing 630-628-0093

SNOW REMOVAL Corbrook Enterprises 847-604-0857

CSR Roofing Contractors 708-848-9119 Industrial/Commercial/Multi Tenant/High Rise All types of Roofing Leak Trouble Shooting/Roof Repairs Roof Check 365 Maintenance Programs Conventional and Single Ply Roofing www.csr-roofing.com

Norton Sons Roofing & Sheet Metal Co., Inc. 800-886-ROOF

McGinty Brothers Professional Lawn & Tree Care 847-438-5161 WASTE SERVICES/RECYCLING

Hard Surface Solutions 815-344-8400 / 630-674-4520 Contact Mark Neville

Tower Building Services 312-404-3943

Lakeshore Waste Services 773-685-8811 WATER FOUNTAINS John Deere Landscapes 815-469-7575

SOLAR ENERGY

Serving the Chicagoland Area Since 1931 Roof Removal & Installation / Maintenance & Repair Architectural Sheet Metal Systems Gutters & Down Spouts

Solar Service, Inc. 847-677-0950 www.solarserviceinc.com

ProTop Roofing 847-559-9119

WINDOW CLEANING Corporate Cleaning Services (312) 573-3333 Contact: Charles Adkins www.corporatecleaning.com

See our ad on page 8.

WINDOWS/REPLACEMENTS IFD, Inc. 708-547-8863

For Display or Professional Services Directory Advertising Info, Call (630) 663-0333

20 C h i C a g o l a n d B u i l d i n g & e n v i r o n m e n t S

Renovation • New Construction Window Systems • Noise Abatement Curtain Wall Systems Aluminum Windows: Wausau,Winstrom, Fulton, Alumitech Wood Windows: Andersen, Kolbe& Kolbe Steel Windows: Crittall, Steelite

autumn 2007

AU T U M N 2 0 0 7

BY JAMES A. FIZZELL

The Weather and Your Landscape What an interesting year! Interesting, but not without challenges. Some plantings were beautiful all summer. Others seemed never to get started.

Some were destroyed late in the year.

A common lament was, “Why do things look so bad this fall?” What was the cause of all these discrepancies? Obviously, the weather had a lot to do with both the successes and the difficulties.

The 2007 summer was relatively benevolent, with sufficient precipitation for most of the season. Temperatures

were moderate with fewer than normal 90s, and no prolonged heat waves. Plants that made it through the trials of the previous winter and spring did well.

Some Problems Started Last Year While it was not as difficult for our plantings as were the past few years, there

were plants that had problems all year.

This was due to things that started last year and continued during the strange 2007 season. Some plants exited winter with dead branches and few if any spring flowers. Others started out well and suddenly lost leaves. Some made it through the summer in fine shape only to die off late in the season.

The loss of plants and branches was no mystery. It was due to the tremendously variable weather and the lack of snow cover at critical times during fall 2006 and early 2007.

A year ago after the dry summer, temperatures gradually cooled as the days

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ChiCagoland Building & environmentS

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shortened. In early fall, it poured, temperatures stayed above normal and many drought-hardened trees and shrubs broke dormancy. With enough rain all fall, trees refused to drop their leaves.

Then on December 1, 2006, it poured again followed by falling temperatures and heavy, wet snow-covered trees and shrubs, many still in full leaf. The weight of the snow flattened evergreens, and broke branches from shade trees.

Fooled by Weather Temperatures moderated a few days later, and the snow was gone. The new year brought excessively warm weather.

Grass was green; buds were swelling on trees and shrubs. Bulbs poked through the moist soil. Snowdrops bloomed. In late January, following a day with temperatures in the 40s, it plummeted to ten degrees, this time dry, with no snow cover. The weather-fooled plants into thinking spring had arrived, and then socked them with a sudden return to winter. Temperatures stayed in the 20s for weeks, with lows hovering near or even well below zero.

Spring tempted us early with 80 degree temperatures, but the Easter weekend was accompanied by another sudden temperature drop, and snow.

Plant damage early last spring was the result of the previous fall, which interfered with dormancy, and the severe, volatile winter. Many plants were killed outright by the sudden cold while only branches of others died. Then the Easter freeze killed leaves or parts of leaves that had begun to develop leaving black clusters. Where the leaves were not completely killed, they continued to develop, full of holes. These ugly leaves lasted all season to the consternation of clients.

were confined to areas where the cicadas had been abundant earlier. Hospitals reported record numbers of patients with the bites and some were hospitalized.

Locations with no cicadas were free of the mites and their uncomfortable bites.

August Rain Storms But the season was not done with us yet. In August the area was hit with tremendous storms and rainfall totals of a half a foot and more in only a day or so.

The water overflowed the banks of streams and rivers. Ponds overflowed their banks. Large expanses of communities were flooded. Power outages were frequent and prolonged. Some site managers reported outages of several days.

Where generators were not available, sump pump batteries quickly ran out, and flooded buildings were the result.

Plants submerged for a day or two, or even weeks, began to decline as roots suffocated. Many of these plants never recovered. Those who could speedily replaced dead plants with fall flowers such as hardy mums to preserve the looks of the sites.

Yet, some parts of the metropolitan area escaped the problems. They received sufficient rain, and plants and lawns were beautiful all summer. Skillful care - - - providing adequate moisture during the dry summer of 2006, preventing droughthardened plants, watering in winter to keep roots from desiccating, quickly removing any winter-damaged branches or plants - - - - kept any deleterious effects of the season from destroying the looks of the plantings. It is essential that any difficulties are corrected immediately so plantings never become liabilities instead of assets to the properties.

Long Range Forecast Summer Cicadas With the summer came the cicadas.

These interesting creatures were anticipated, and received a lot of publicity prior to their appearance. The singing was annoying to many people, but the results of their egg laying with drooping branches and the subsequent dead plant tips added to the concern of many site managers.

Even more disconcerting to folks spending time outdoors, the cicadas were accompanied by tiny mites which fell from the trees biting anyone unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity. These mites

Our long-range weather guru, Greg Soulje, has provided us with uncannily accurate forecasts for many years so that we can be prepared for whatever weather is on the horizon. He expects wide temperature extremes for the first half of fall, probably trending to warmer than normal, but with near-record highs and lows.

Frequent weather patterns will provide sufficient precipitation with good coverage. Moisture will continue to be adequate to excessive.

Because of the early trend to warm, plants may have trouble hardening off. A

22 C h i C a g o l a n d B u i l d i n g & e n v i r o n m e n t S

sudden change of cold will arrive about mid-November followed by more significant shots of cold and a shift from rain to snow. Zero cold is expected about the 2nd or 3rd week of December.

According to Soulje, the atmosphere seems to be transitioning from a neutral state to a La Nina, unusual cooling of the waters off the Pacific coast of South America. This will translate into a moderate-to-strong category La Nina by early winter as more substantial cooling occurs through deeper reaches of the tropical Pacific. Moderate La Ninas typically generate wide swings in temperatures across the eastern half of the nation as well as an active, stormy weather pattern from the Northern plains, the Great Lakes region and Midwest, and moving east to the Atlantic seaboard.

Early Cold and Big Snow Totals Projected Weather-wise, this translates to earlier and more pronounced periods of colderthan-normal weather, accompanied by a higher-than-usual frequency of weather systems that generate light-to-moderate precipitation. This could mean early-season snows. We should see frequent snows and widely fluctuating temperatures, at least through the early part of the winter and as long as the La Nina persists. The bulk of the storms appear to be headed for the southern part of the state and moving east to New England. This has been the pattern for the last few years as the heaviest snows have generally fallen south of the middle of Illinois and hit the East quite hard. However, Soulje expects heavier-than-normal snowfall for our area as well, with a total of about 50 inches, or a foot or so above average.

Anticipating the early and relatively severe winter, there are things that need to be done now to prepare plantings so they can survive in the best condition possible. The sudden change to cold from the early warmth of the fall season will be hard on plants. Any way they can be protected from the sudden onset of the cold will be helpful. Mulching, wrapping, and application of anti-desiccant may help.

With adequate precipitation, plants should go into winter well watered.

Where plants are under overhangs or otherwise protected from the rain, make sure they receive additional water. If these

autumn 2007

plants dry out with no snow cover during the winter, make sure to haul out hoses and water them.

Snow Plans are Important Heavy snow means heavy salting.

Protecting plants from salt is a lot easier than trying to repair the damage next spring. While they do not look the best, silt screens set up along walks and drives to prevent salt spray are worth the time and trouble.

Heavy, wet snow will pull down evergreens and other weak trees and shrubs.

Bundle these in burlap and tie them so they can shrug off the snow. The burlap will help protect the plants from salt spray too. Where snow slides off roofs, protect plantings by constructing snow sheds to protect them.

Snow removal can be a headache for you and for your snow removal personnel.

Now is the time, before the snow flies, to make some important decisions about where to put the snow. It cannot be left to the plow operator at 3:00 a.m. on a cold, snowy night to decide where to shove the snow. It will go wherever it is easiest.

Meet with your snow management team and locate the places where the snow can be piled without damaging plantings. Usually this is an outlying part of the parking lot. If this is impractical, it may be necessary to haul the snow. If so, be prepared for the additional cost. We have not had a lot of snow for several years, and have forgotten how inconvenient and costly the removal can be.

Wet weather may mean fall cleanups are delayed. Make sure this work is done before things freeze up. Then it will be nearly impossible to do.

Rodents & Deer Heavy snow means rodents will have a tough time finding things to eat. Protect plantings from rabbits with chicken wire collars. Removing mulch from tree wells and walking down snow so mice cannot tunnel beneath are helpful in reducing mice populations. Apply Gladiator (Bromethalin) mouse bait throughout the affected planting if you have a problem area. The material consists of blocks that are readily eaten by the mice. One bite is fatal. Other animals are not attracted to it,

and any scavengers that eat the dead mice will not be harmed by it.

Deer cannot be kept out of most developments. If they are eating valuable plants, the most effective means of protection is to construct sturdy cages to fit over the plants. This may seem an expensive process, but it is cheaper than continuously replacing the plants.

Plan for Season and Next Year Too While the weather is still mild, install the Holiday decorations. It is easier, quicker and your designers can do a better job if they do not have to contend with adverse conditions. That could save you some money too.

Make sure you and members of your professional landscape team plan to walk the site occasionally during the winter to assure everything is in order. It is also a good idea to make time to discuss things planned for next year. Also talk about how your contractor plans to contend with the expected weather and the items that may be needed to make any repairs next spring. ≠

New Commissioner for Chicago Department of Environment M

ayor Richard M. Daley recently named a new commissioner to the Chicago Department of Environment and created a new Chief Environmental Officer position to oversee citywide environmental efforts. mayor daley has chosen Suzanne malec-mcKenna as the new Commissioner of the department of environment (doe). malec-mcKenna brings more than 15 years of experience in environmental issues including sustainable development and ecological preservation. She most recently served as deputy Commissioner of natural resources and Water Quality in the department of environment. the mayor also named former environment Commissioner Sadhu Johnston to the new position of deputy Chief of Staff functioning as Chief environmental officer in the mayor’s office – the first position of its kind in the nation. he will be responsible for implementing the City’s environmental agenda across all areas of City government. he has served as the Commissioner for the department of environment for the past two years. “i’ve asked them to ensure that Chicago government continues to lead by example and that we’re embracing new policies

autumn 2007

and initiatives,” said daley. “and, i’ve asked them to develop a thoughtful series of steps that any person or household in our City can take to become part of the solution and embrace an environmentally friendly way of life.” malec-mcKenna has served for 13 years in the department of environment most recently as deputy Commissioner of natural resources and Water Quality. Prior to joining City government she worked as an urban Forestry manager for the openlands Project.

Johnston has been the Commissioner for the department of environment for the past two years. Prior to joining the department of environment he served as assistant to the mayor, responsible for green initiatives. Before joining City government, Johnston was the founder and executive director of the Cleveland green Building Coalition in Cleveland, ohio. “nowhere are the demands of a changing world more prevalent than in the changing patterns of our environment,” said daley. “as we look to the future, i have asked Sadhu and Suzanne to develop a series of new steps that will keep Chicago on track as the most environmentally-friendly city in the nation.”

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Find out what buyers like these are doing right and how it pays off.

The Alter Group Altielbi Development Corp.

A. Finkl & Sons Allstate BP Amoco Chicago Park District City of Chicago City of Park Ridge College of DuPage Cook County Draper and Kramer, Inc. DuPage County Essex Inn Good Samaritan Hospital The Habitat Company Harbor Springs Hines John Buck Co. Kane County Lutheran General Hospital Mercy Medical Center Peggy Notebart Museum Pepper Construction Shedd Aquarium Soldier Field State of Illinois Tellabs Tishman Construction Corporation TJ Adams & Company Underwriters Laboratories Village of Carol Stream Village of Lincolnshire Waste Management, Inc.

Chicagoland

&

Buildings Environments READERSHIP PROFILE 8000 PRIMARY READERSHIP DEVELOPERS, OWNERS & PROPERTY MANAGERS OF COMMERCIAL & MULTI-FAMILY PROPERTIES 2975 OFFICE PARKS - DEVELOPERS & MANAGERS & TENANTS 1125 COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS ªCONDOMINIUM BOARDS & MANAGERS) 1750 CORPORATE OFFICES & CAMPUSES 400 HOME BUILDERS 400 APARTMENTS - OWNERS & MANAGERS

300 INSTITUTIONAL (HOSPITALS, GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITIES, ETC.) 250 SHOPPING MALLS & RETAIL CENTERS 200 PARK DISTRICTS & SCHOOLS 200 GOLF COURSES 400 PROMOTIONAL DISTRIBUTION

EDITORIAL OVERVIEW COVER STORY MARKET FOCUS ARTICLES

COLUMNS

Successful organizations, such as real estate firms, corporations, institutions, developments, public agencies and others are nominated: one is selected for the cover story. Use of environmental industry standards, technology, professionals, leadership, reputation, awards and special achievements are key criteria. We profile these buyers and highlight their outstanding achievements. Additional nominees are incorporated into related market focus articles. Nomination forms are available upon request.

SPECIAL FEATURES Award pictorials, research, key issues and concerns, useful examples and applications, etc., are covered in this manner.

Since providing practical information is an important focus of CB&E, every issue will include articles and features dealing with current trends in the marketplace.

DEPARTMENTS Regular trends covered include: • Indoor Air Quality • Energy Efficiency • Government Briefs • Renewable Energy • Ecological Restoration • Recycling • Building Restoration & Maintenance

24 C h i C a g o l a n d B u i l d i n g & e n v i r o n m e n t S

Association’s Avenue Provides membership profile, history, background, programs and related information on various non-profit educational organizations. Awards programs and designations are sometimes included.

Buyer Tips Contributes valuable seasonal practical tips and ideas.

Industry Happenings/Event Highlights Previews and recaps various special events, programs, conferences, seminars, etc. Contains information on corporate and executive news plus noteworthy items, Terms & Trends Offers terminology, definitions, trends, explanations, etc.

Editorial Sponsorships CB&E will provide information, statistics and findings based on professional research, as well as feature editorials by our staff. Parties interested in sponsoring or presenting new research should contact the publisher.

Subscription & Circulation CB&E is available at $19.95 for an annual subscription. Qualified buyers and prospective subscribers or sponsors may receive a sample issue periodically.

Consider the amount of money you manage relative to your property and secure regular delivery of the CB&E through a subscription or Authorized Distributor agreement.

autumn 2007

B Y H I L A RY M A R K O W

Chicagoland Condos Going Green 340 on The Park, Chicago, IL

When Mayor Richard M. Daley declared his intention of making Chicago the “greenest city in the nation,” architects, builders and developers in the Chicago area took notice.

M

any of them were already proponents of environmental responsibility in the designs, features, and choice of materials used in their projects. Many homebuyers also see advantages to purchasing green, including the money saved on utilities and the potential upside for resale, as well as stewardship of the environment and social responsibility.

The current and rising number of green and environmentally friendly condos throughout Chicago and environs are a result of a perfect storm of professionals, politicians and purchasers coming together to build green, maximize both economic and environmental performance and be part of a serious movement well positioned for the future. As Nathan Kipnis of Nathan Kipnis Architects, Inc. (www.nkainc.com), recognized as one of Chicago’s premier green and sustainable architectural practices put it, “ It [building green] is not a trend anymore. People are beginning to realize that this is the real deal and that 5 years from now, it will be the accepted idea of how to build and live. It’s beginning to appear on people’s radar and it is not going away. People are starting to think twice about their home purchases [in terms of] carbon emissions,

autumn 2007

national security and health. Now and over the next 5 years, it will be clear this isn’t a trend or a fad.

Green won’t be a ‘hot topic’ it will be the normal. It will have melted into the mainstream.”

The effect on our nation and economy is clear when taken in the context of our energy consumption. According to The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the building environment has a profound impact on our natural environment, economy, health and productivity.

In the United States, buildings account for: • 36% of total energy use/65% of electricity consumption • 30% of greenhouse gas emissions • 30% of raw materials use • 30% of waste output/136 million tons annually • 12% of potable water consumption The USGBC is a proponent of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System™ which promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sus-

tainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

These areas not only offer environmental savings by reducing waste, conserving energy, reducing emissions and more, they offer economical savings as well by lowering the operating costs. For example, the Solar Townhomes in Evanston, which feature solar thermal panels, have an estimated annual total gas and electric bill of $1200, according to the architect, Nate Kipnis. He says the homes are built for comfort and ‘tuned like a Ferrari” to provide warmth with no drafts. And, as he points out, “because solar homes don’t use a fuel-burning heating system, they save about 17.500 pounds of carbon dioxide a

ChiCagoland Building & environmentS

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▲ Shown above is Solar Townhomes, 1831 Lincoln, Evanston, IL. Photo courtesy of Nathan Kipnis Architects, Inc.

year. That’s the equivalent to the output of four cars of two SUVs.” When shopping for a condo, paying a bit more for green features can provide an immediate return on investment. Some lenders offer Energy Efficient Mortgages for home buyers and owners. These mortgages have higher loan-to-value ratios due to the lower operating costs of a more efficient dwelling.

Here are some of the new generation of developed and under-development local projects that are building to those standards or applying for LEED certification.

They don’t sacrifice an ounce of style or sophistication to achieve a ton of green.

Solar Townhomes, 1831 Lincoln, Evanston Two modern townhouses fit LEED standards and incorporate numerous green features, including the use of solar thermal panels. Key among the features is their relationship to the movement of the sun. The south facing front set of windows captures the low winter sun while calculated overhangs block the summer sun. Solar thermal panels on the roof provide hot water for the domestic water system and are integrated into the high efficiency zoned forced air HVAC system.

Natural flow through ventilation is designed into the floor plan along with proper air circulation, properly controlled.

The building also has access to daylight, even in the hallways, which also reduces reliance on artificial light.

Green materials include the use of cement fiberboard panels bolted to the exterior, numerous natural material on the interior, low volatile organic composition

adhesives and finishes throughout for better air quality and minimal use of carpet.

One of the units uses No-Mow Grass, a dune grass that only needs cutting 2-4 times a year. It grows deeper into soil, so doesn’t need watering, once it’s established.

The location is another LEED green ideal: within a block of the CNW train station and the Central Street shopping district. The building faces south and across street from a vintage school building, so it is assured of no blockage in that direction.

340 on The Park, 340 E Randolph On track to become Chicago’s first residential tower designed to U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification standards. High-tech heating and cooling systems combine energy efficiency with comfort.

The tinted exterior glass controls the amount of heat gain and loss. The advanced air-quality management systems keep the indoor air clean.

There are extensive plaza-level plantings and a landscaped second-floor roof that will absorb storm water. Water is collected after each rainfall in a 11,000 gallon-capacity tank and will be used to sustain the building’s landscape.

The building materials are eco-friendly in keeping with its environmental design.

XO Condominiums 18th Street and Prairie Avenue X/O is a condominium development in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago. The construction is planned to have 487 units in two towers, one of which

26 C h i C a g o l a n d B u i l d i n g & e n v i r o n m e n t S

will be a high rise with 45 stories, the other one will be a building with 34 stories.

All units will feature environmentally friendly construction with a plan to meet some of the standards of the USBG LEED council. The buildings will be surrounded by a one-quarter acre fully landscaped park and feature, atop the X/O garage, a “Live Roof” installed with mature plants that generate instant evaporative cooling effect and maximum storm water detention.

Lexington Park Condominiums 2128 S. Indiana Avenue The site of Lexington Park features environmental highlights such as public transportation access, bicycle storage and changing rooms with bicycle paths along Wabash Avenue and Roosevelt Street to the north.

Lexington Park will also feature native plantings that flourish on top of the green roof terrace that is accessible by all homeowners.

Materials used throughout the building have low volatile organic composition. Also, materials will contain highrecycled content.

Day lighting throughout the building will give the occupants a direct connection between the outdoor environment and the indoor living spaces, also reducing the need for electrical lighting throughout most of the day. Lastly, highly efficient HVAC systems will give all occupants lower energy usage.

eco18 1830 S. Wabash In pursuit of Gold LEED-certification, eco18 is carefully implementing many

autumn 2007

Condominiums not built to the newer standards face challenges in upgrading the green aspects of their buildings.

They still create smaller foot prints than single family homes. And there are many areas Associations can address with the help of their management companies, maintenance staffs and/or consultants. The following are from the LEED Rating System for Existing Buildings: Whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues including chemical use. Do you know what kind of chemicals or solvents your staff uses?

Ongoing indoor air quality.

Energy efficiency Water efficiency Recycling programs and facilities Exterior maintenance programs Systems upgrades to meet green building energy, water and lighting performance standards And remember, there are levels of green you can achieve to match your budget, from paints and finishes to recycled materials like bamboo or concrete with recycled glass to energy star rated appliances and fluorescent bulbs to solar thermal panels and methods for increased ventilation.

eco-friendly building measures that impact construction, materials and building design. Planned features include a green roof, solar thermal panels, and systems for saving water, energy recovery and the recycled use of storm water.

Insulation values, according to the developer, will exceed for Chicago code.

All lighting throughout the entire building, inside and out, including common areas and condo units will be fluorescent fixtures is various formats.

Winthrop Club 1707 Benson Avenue, Evanston Winthrop Club is Evanston’s only high-rise residential building with its commitment to environmentally friendly, sustainable design. Winthrop Club was designed to LEED standards and also embraces a health-conscious green living philosophy with top features, comfort and cost-effectiveness.

Its design and construction standards minimize environmental impact, maximize energy efficiency, and create cleaner, healthier interior space.

It features superior standards for indoor quality air, high-quality plumbing fixtures that conserve resources and reduce water bills, and recycled and locally supplied building materials. ≠

autumn 2007

LAKE SHORE EAST WINS AWARDS FOR PARKS

R

ising in the heart of downtown Chicago, steps from such world-class attractions as Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park, Lakeshore East spans 28 acres, believed to be the largest parcel of downtown land under development in a major U.S. city.

This $4 billion mixed-use development in the rapidly growing New East Side incorporates all the elements of a traditional city community, a lifestyle center that includes homes, retail, recreational opportunities and amenities such as a lush 6acre public park and a planned charter elementary school.

Lakeshore East is rising on the threshold of two of Chicago’ greatest attractions, its magnificent lakefront and the Chicago River. And the complex is across the street from the city’s acclaimed new Millennium Park.

Lakeshore East has received several awards, including a National Honor Award for excellence in urban design from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for its master plan.

Prior to its transformation to the most vibrant new community in Chicago, the Lakeshore East site has served as a transshipment port serving Chicago’s growing economy in the mid 19th century, an Illinois Central railroad freight yard and terminus and, most recently, a par-3, nine-hole urban golf course.

Lakeshore East is a pre-

view of the future, a mixed-use development where people can live, work, shop, eat and pursue whatever interests them without having to get into a car.

The plan that completes the ambitious Illinois Center development allows for the construction of up to 4,950 residences, a magnificent 6-acre public park, 2.2 million gross square feet of commercial space, 1,500 hotel rooms, 400,000 square feet of retail space and a proposed charter elementary school.

Some 40 percent of the site will remain vibrant open space. Among the many attractions of the Lakeshore East Park, is free Wi-Fi or wireless broadband Internet access. Other park amenities include a children’s play park, a gated dog park, a large open meadow, water fountains, ornamental gardens and extensive seating.

The crown jewel of the community, it has been named the Best New Park in Chicago by Chicago magazine and the city’s Best New Open Space by The

Friends of Downtown Magellan Development Group Co-Chief Executive Officers Joel Carlins and James Loewenberg will maintain ownership and design influence of all 28 acres to ensure a unified vision as Lakeshore East unfolds.

Residential developments at Lakeshore East currently include three completed and occupied buildings, The 29-story Lancaster, the community’s first condominium building with 209 homes and The Shoreham, a 46-story apartment tower with 548 residences and The Regatta, a 44-story condominium building. Under construction, 340 On The Park, a 62story condominium tower; The Chandler; a 35-story condominium building; and the 51story The Tides, the community’s second rental property with 607 luxury units. The 82story Aqua, which will be the first high-rise in the city designed uniquely to combine condominiums, rental apartments, hotel and retail spaces, and the first phase of The Parkhomes at Lakeshore East, an enclave of 24 gracious townhomes, are also under construction A diverse retail component of the community already includes leases for a full-service Treasure Island grocery market, Fifth Third Bank facility and Café RoM coffee shop. ≠

ChiCagoland Building & environmentS

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Legionella

A bacterium that flourishes in hot water, ideally between 95 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit, it is often found in cooling towers and portable hot water supplies. The bacterium is inhaled as a mist or water droplets and can cause flu like symptoms, being especially harmful to persons with weakened immune systems. The elderly and those confined to hospitals or nursing homes are most at risk. The name of the microorganism relates to the fact that it was first detected a few decades ago when a number of people attending an American Legion convention in a hotel became mysteriously sick and several died.

Recommended ways to deal with a potential or actual problem is to ensure that cooling towers are more than 25 feet away from buildings outside air intakes, by testing water regularly for the presence of the deadly germ and by using biocides, which are chemicals that kill microorganisms such as Legionella.

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Vapor Intrusion

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are from previous pollution of a building site’s sub soil, due to leakage from an underground storage tank such as used by gas stations or because of previous spills or dumping of VOCs on the site. Vapors released from the VOCs can seep into a building much the same way as Radon does.

Specific adverse health effects related to low levels of VOCs are not fully understood at this time although some VOCs are carcinogenic and may also cause damage to bodily organs through prolonged exposure.

If the presence of such vapors is suspected, the same steps should be taken as with Radon.

Basements and slab on grade rooms should be tested by professionals, all openings sealed to keep any vapors from entering living areas and a subsoil depressurization system should be considered to mitigate the forces pushing the vapors into occupied spaces.

When products containing VOCs are used in building maintenance, manufacturer’s directions should be followed and areas of use should be well ventilated.

Radon

This substance is a colorless, odorless gas that forms through the decay of naturally occurring radium and can seep through openings in building foundations. It is most often found in basements or rooms that are slab on grade. “It is more prevalent in certain areas of the U.S.,” said Regelbrugge. “The upper Midwest is certainly one of the areas where radon is a concern.”

It is usually discovered when a home is sold and a buyer opts to have the property tested at the recommendation of a home inspector. There is generally less of a problem with commercial buildings due to the ventilation, which helps dilute and/or remove the gas.

Prolonged exposure to Radon through inhalation may cause lung cancer. If excess Radon is present, all openings should be sealed to bar infiltration into the living space. The installation of a sub-slab depressurization system can also be installed to retard the gas’s upward movement from the soil and into the living space.

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Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality can degrade when closed in spaces are exposed to such noxious influences as VOCs, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide (in less than lethal amounts) and mold. General comfort such as improper temperature and humidity levels can also contribute to indoor air quality concerns. .

According to the American Lung Association, poor air quality can lead to toxic and allergic reactions, infections, and can exacerbate existing lung afflictions, such as asthma. In extreme situations, prolonged exposure can even be a factor in the occurrence of lung cancer.

A key to preserving or restoring the relative purity of indoor air is to provide sufficient ventilation to allow the entrance of a modicum of outdoor air into indoor spaces. In general, air entering the ventilation cycle should be made up of about 15 to 20 percent outside air by volume.

Building managers should respond to complaints about air quality quickly and consider bringing in experts to determine how and to what extent the air may be tainted by contaminants or affected by other stressors. When the quality of the air is below acceptable standards steps can be taken to improve conditions.

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Dirty Birds

Some buildings may have a problem with nesting or roosting birds or bats that excrete waste on roof tops or in attics or even within working areas of industrial buildings that may have openings through which winged creatures can enter. A hazard occurs when fecal matter accumulates.

While it’s more common for the fungus Histoplama Capsulatum , which is produced from bird or bat droppings, to be found in the soil, it can also be found in buildings where these animals drop their loads. Another yeast like fungus, Cryptococcus Neoformans, is also present in the feces of birds.

Cleaning up avian deposits can generate dust, which if breathed excessively can cause respiratory illnesses with flu like symptoms and congestion and fever. Care should be exercised when removing excrement and steps taken to block the passage of feathered interlopers from the outside.

More Information Environmental concerns in buildings are numerous. Being knowledgeable about these concerns and how to deal with them can help prevent serious illness and injury as well as save the building owner or potential owners hundred of thousand of dollars. Additional information on any of the topics discussed above can be found at the websites of the Illinois Department of Public Health (www.idph.state.il.us) and the federal EPA (www.epa.gov) and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (www.osha.gov). ≠

autumn 2007

GUSTITUS GROUP, INC. A R C H I T E C T U R E

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P R E S E R VAT I O N

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C O N S U L T I N G

Preserving our historic and civic culture, our communities, and our environment through architecture.

Traditional Architects Specializing in: • Historic Preservation • Façade Restoration • Adaptive Re-Use • Rooftop Gardens • Building Pathology & Testing • Sustainable Design Gustitus Group, Inc. 2000 North Racine Avenue Suite 4800 Chicago, Illinois 60614

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