Chicagoland
&
Buildings Environments SPRING 2009
Chicago Hotels Go Green Seal Features‌ Update on Chicago Life Safety Ordinance Chicago Landscape Awards & Gardener of the Year The Weather and Your Landscape Concerns about Emerald Ash Borer Creating an Environmentally Sensitive Green Community
table of contents
COMING NEXT ISSUE
Aurora Police Department
COVER STORY
02 Chicago Hotels Go Green Seal By David Mack S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
08 Update on Chicago Life Safety Ordinance Part 1 – Life Safety Evaluations By Kenneth J Schwartz & Carl Baldassarra –Schirmer Engineering 12 Chicago Landscape Awards & Gardener of the Year 14 Editor’s Message 15 Directory Advertising Section THE LANDSCAPE BUYER
19 The Weather and Your Landscape by James A. Fizzell 21 Concerns about EmeraldAsh Borer by James A. Fizzell GOVERNMENT BRIEFS
22 Chicago Names Department heads Created by Consolidation 22 Subscription Form 23 Chicagoland Buildings & Environments Profile S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
24 Creating an Environmentally Sensitive Green Community By Larry Schaffel 29 Industry Happenings
REUSE~REDUCE~RECYCLE spring 2009
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B y D av i D M a c k
Chicago Hotels Go G Well known in green building circles is the term leed, an acronym for leadership in energy and environmental design, a program under which owners can achieve a certification for their properties by assuring they meet certain established environmental and energy standards in their development.
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ess well known perhaps, but growing in popularity and recognition, is the Green Seal certification program. “Green Seal is a non-profit organization, founded in 1989, that develops environmental standards and certifies products and services that meet those standards,” explained Linda Chipperfield, Vice President of Marketing & Outreach for Green Seal, Inc. “The Green Seal on a product or service means that it has gone through a stringent process to reduce its impact on the environment and human health.”
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New and Existing Properties Green Seal expanded its certification list in 1999 to cover both new and existing lodging properties, which category includes hotels, motels, motor inns, resorts, bed and breakfasts, country inns and more. Only U.S. properties are eligible. “The first hotels were certified in 2001,” said Chipperfield. More than one hundred fifty have applied for certification but only fifty have made the grade so far. Out of the fifty only twenty two remain certified, the balance of twenty eight having lost that status due to failure to maintain continued adherence with the standards of the program.
ChiCagoland Buildings & environments
On-site Verification After applying for recognition that it meets the standards of the program, a lodging facility must have its claims confirmed through an on-site property audit and an evaluation of its purchasing records, processes and procedures. “The on-site is a verification that what they have told us has actually been implemented at the property,” said Chipperfield, adding that once awarded, “certification grants a hotel the license to use the Green Seal mark for one year, after which the hotel is audited for continued compliance.” The successful candidates market the seal on proposal cover sheets to conference planners, on web sites, business cards, meeting space marketing materials, in-room materials, etc.
First Five On October 14, 2008, five Chicago hotels became the first in the City to receive the Green Seal emblem- the Intercontinental at 505 N. Michigan; three operated by the Kimpton chain, the Monaco at 225 N. Wabash, the Burnham at 1 W. Washington and the Allegro at 171 W. Randolph and the independent Talbott at 20 E. Delaware. “Twenty five hotels applied and only five were certified,” said Troy Strand, General Manager of the Talbot. The Monaco, Burnham and Allegro are what Kimpton described as boutique properties with their own distinct features. All have been serving patrons for a decade or so and have 102, 122 and 483 rooms respectively, according to Nabil Moubayed, General Manager of the Monaco and the designated lead for Chicago Kimpton’s Green Team. Moubayed summed up the essential themes of the 3 hotels in flowery terms. The Monaco, “revolves around great style and great taste while the Allegro is all about
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reen Seal celebrity and stardom and the landmark Burnham tells a story of history and architecture,” he said in extolling the virtues of these stately public accommodations. The twin tower, 41 floor, 472 room Intercontinental has the same special architectural status as the Burnham. “We are a landmark building built in the 1920s as a men’s athletic club and converted to a hotel in the 1980s,” said Steve Karwoski, Director of Engineering for the facility. “The historic tower is over 80 years old and the main tower is over 30.” The Talbot, built in 1927, has 149 rooms with luxury appointments much as
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the 4 other successful candidates for the Green Seal. According to Strand, it was able to achieve the certification in only nine months compared to the twelve others generally needed. “The Talbot is committed to providing guests an enhanced experience as a result of green practices,” said Strand, in underscoring a philosophy at the hotel of “sustainability without compromise.”
Chicago Green Hotels Initiative Applying for certification was encouraged by the City of Chicago, which had begun the Green Hotels Initiative in partnership with Green Seal because it knew that hotels have large carbon footprints that should be reduced as much as possible. The City wanted to be the leader in
certified hotels in the country and the candidates wanted to move in that direction too. “Garnering Green Seal certification is the right thing to do for the environment and for business,” said Moubayed, in explaining why Kimpton applied for recognition for its three properties.
Earth Care The chain had been pursuing green objectives before taking up the Green Seal challenge through its Earth Care program in effect at its hotels and restaurants around the nation. The thrust of Earth Care is to minimize the negative impact on the environment through the use of non-intrusive, high quality, eco-friendly products and services. “It makes sense to validate what we were doing with a certification as credible and prestigious as Green Seal,” said Moubayed.
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Wind Power Credits The Talbot had also been on a green track before going after the Green Seal stamp. Emulating other environmentally progressive hotels, management began its green quest in the 1990s and continually added more initiatives into the new century. In 2007, the hotel took a major step by purchasing wind power credits as an offset to its carbon production, which caught the eye of the City administration and led to an invitation to join the collective Green Seal effort. A cooperative working relationship was developed with other hotels and local government and a number of best green practices and methods emerged from this collaboration. “The Green Seal program authenticated the work they had already done and gave (The Talbot) a larger framework in which to excel,” said Strand.
Green Economics Karwoski emphasized economics in motivating the Intercontinental to partici-
pate. “There are many financial advantages (to certification) such as lower utility and waste hauling costs,” he said, adding that the Intercontinental, after having achieved silver certification along with the other four hotels, hopes to lay claim to gold within a year. Chipperfield agreed with this conclusion regarding operating costs, although Green Seal has not done any research or reporting in this area. “Usually they save money,” she said.
Green Challenges Achieving the silver status was somewhat of an arduous task for most of the hotels despite their earlier efforts to green their operations. At the Intercontinental most prior steps had been in the direction of energy conservation, which is only one aspect of the Green Seal program. “We had to develop policies and procedures for all the standards as well as train our people in a relatively short period of time,” said Karwoski, noting that documenting the facility’s compliance to the satisfac-
tion of Green Seal was also a challenge. The process wasn’t any easier at the Talbot where a concerted effort involving both staff and guests was necessary to conform with the standards of silver certification. “The Green Seal requirements permeated all aspects of the business and were extremely in depth,” said Strand. Documenting adherence to program specifications turned out to be as trying as at the Intercontinental. “A variety of internal reporting and evaluation was needed to prove progress and effectiveness.” An example Strand cited was the need to report accurately how much recycling was further being sorted into types of waste. The Kimpton did find the going a little easier because of the breadth of its sustainability push ahead of applying for certification. “Through our Earth Care efforts we were already 75% there,” said Moubayed. But some of the same difficulties were encountered as at the other two hotels when it came to being able to prove that Kimpton had done what it claimed. “The hardest part was getting the actual
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practices documented and standardized to the satisfaction of Green Seal inspectors.”
Green Travellers So far none of the five hotels has done any specific, direct market research to ascertain if having a Green Seal certification will attract more lodging seekers. At Kimpton, however, first time guests had been surveyed back in 2005 and 16 % of the respondents indicated they selected a Kimpton facility because of its Earth Care program. “We have found that the traveling public reacts positively to hotels with green initiatives in place,” said Moubayed. Chipperfield supported that finding by referencing a national survey conducted in 2007 that focused on traveler preferences. “More than half of U.S. adults say they would be more likely to select a hotel that uses more environmentally friendly products and processes,” she said, adding, too, that the same is true for airlines and rental cars. The Talbot belongs to a group known
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as the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which has conducted research that has shown guests tend to prefer hotels that follow responsible practices. “Of course everybody is righteous in filling out surveys,” said Strand, “but we believe our (green) efforts will be appreciated and embraced by luxury travelers.” At the Intercontinental, patrons have demonstrated a curiosity about the hotel’s sustainability policies and practices. “We have clients (who) ask about our green initiatives and (they do) have a bearing on what hotels they do business with,” said Karwoski. And hotel personnel react positively too. “It’s (been) proven that absenteeism and sick time is reduced when staff and employees have a cleaner environment in which to work,” said Chipperfield. All plan to use the Green Seal in their future marketing strategies, feeling that the designation will give them a distinct advantage over competitors that lack the brand. “In a crowded city center market place such as Chicago, it is important to
differentiate a property to the consumer and we believe The Talbot’s dedication to being carbon neutral and green will certainly set it apart in the caring consumer mind,” said Strand. Moubayed believes that many business and leisure folks on the road will be impressed by the Green Seal logo and will choose one of the Kimpton trio for that reason alone. “Environmentally minded companies and travelers want to give their business to hotels that share their values,” he said, adding that he expects that governments at all levels,” will eventually mandate travel to lodging companies that have (a) certification in environmental practices.” The Intercontinental will also highlight its Green Seal in its sale promotion efforts. “We do intend to market the certification and expect it will eventually increase interest from businesses that are requiring hotels to be more green,” said Karwoski.
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W Recycling programs are in effect in common areas, meeting rooms and administrative areas. W Guest room amenities are of the smallest practical size and those not used are donated to charities or recycled. W Copiers are set to produce primarily double sided copies, reducing paper usage. W Restaurants give leftover food to employees. W Indoor lighting is energy efficient. W HVAC systems receive regular preventive maintenance. W Programmable on/of sensors are used for lighting and HVAC in low traffic areas. W Water conserving faucets, showerheads and toilets are used throughout. W Dishwashing detergent is biodegradable and laundry detergents are non-phosphate, biodegradable and concentrated. W Paper products are made from recyclable fiber. W Cloth napkins are used throughout. W Preference is given to environmentally responsible service providers.
Green Practices Let’s look now at some of the practices that have earned the five hotels the Green Seal emblem. The Intercontinental’s major effort has been in the areas of utility costs and rubbish disposal. “We have reduced waste to less than 10% going to landfills (and) our energy consumption has been reduced by 20%,” said Karwoski, adding that partially used room amenities are given to shelters and only non-toxic products are used in cleaning guest accommodations. Moubayed provided some statistics on 2007 accomplishments at the Allegro, Monaco and the Burnham under the Kimpton’s Earth care program that predates the Green Seal award.
W Paper reduction efforts saved 13,776 trees and more than 54,000 fewer pounds of waste had to be sent to landfills. W The introduction of energy efficient lighting saved 1.3 million kilowatt hours, enough to reportedly power 129 homes for one year. W 51,000 gallons of toxic cleaning products were detoxified. “Through the use of eco-friendly products we have enhanced the working environment for our housekeepers who no longer experience skin rashes or breathing problems due to chemical irritants,” he said. W Guests recycled 9.5 million pounds of materials through the chain’s in-room recycling arrangement. W Strand offered a litany of sustainable practices, only some of which can be highlighted here.
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It is likely that all five hotels will improve their green activities as they strive for the gold certification. And Green Seal will monitor their performances at least once a year to see that they don’t fall back on eco-hostile practices. The, “certification means our hotels will now be subject to an annual audit to ensure compliance with Green Seal standards,” said Moubayed. While the Talbot is not part of a corporation with other properties, Karwoski said the Fairmount Hotel, which is also owned by the proprietors of the Intercontinental, is also in the process of applying for Green Seal approval. Kimpton is a nationwide chain and at least one other of its facilities, the Hotel Monaco Portland, was half way to certification in late October, 2008. Others are likely to move in that direction also when they perceive the benefits and advantages to securing the Seal. “Other Kimpton hotels are being encouraged to apply with the knowledge that they will have support from the Kimpton home office as well as the hotels that are already certified to make their path to certification a little bit easier and more streamlined,” said Moubayed. $
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Green Seal Standards Applicants for Green Seal consideration for lodging properties are eligible for any of three levels of certification- bronze, silver or gold.
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he standards used in the program conform to those set for eco-labeling by the International Organization for Standardization and the criteria established by the U.S.E.P.A for third party certification of environmentally preferable products, services and lodging. Those used for hotels were last updated in September 2008. They are science-based standards that have been developed by such organizations and government agencies as the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the E.P.A., the Center for Resource Solutions, the Carbon Fund and Energy Star. A property must comply with all, not just one or some of them. “There is no single criterion that must be achieved, rather the whole (range of) standards must be met,” said Chipperfield, the goal of the evaluation being to assess the environmental impact of the whole property.
The general standards applicable at all three levels of certification include the following: W Waste minimization, reuse and recycling. For example, donating left over food to local shelters or food banks; minimal use of disposable food service items and copies made on double sided paper. W Energy efficiency, conservation and management. For example, use of energy efficient equipment for rooms and energy efficient indoor lighting; doing preventive maintenance on HVAC systems. W Management of fresh water resources. For example, use of low flow faucets, showerheads and toilets; landscaping with exterior plants and grasses that minimize water use. W Waster water management. For example, by use of non-phosphate, non-toxic, biodegradable concentrated liquids and detergents and cleaning products. W Control of hazardous substances. For example, proper storage for chemicals and having drains adequately plumbed for disposal of liquid waste. W Environmentally and socially sensitive purchasing policy. A staff committee should be formed to implement this criterion by incorporating environmental preferences into purchasing documents and discussions with suppliers and vendors.
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At each level of certification, the standards are more rigorous. In addition to meeting the foregoing standards, to achieve the gold award a building must also accomplish three of the following- be actively striving to achieve LEED certification; must use renewable energy for at least 25% of its requirements; must cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero within the property through the use of carbon offsets and must be actively attempting to reduce its carbon footprint through emission cutbacks; must set meaningful goals for energy reduction; must meet the Green Seal standards for cleaning products; must meter and monitor its water usage; no more than 10% of its solid or water by-products from its reuse, recycling or composting efforts can be disposed of or incinerated. A gold applicant must also have devised a comprehensive plan for significant, continual improvement in its environmental practices, including setting long-range goals and benchmarks for achievement. Properties that are awarded the bronze certification must be brought up to the silver level within twelve months. As of writing this article, hotels and other lodging facilities in twelve states, including Illinois, as well as Washington, D.C. are certified at one level or another. In addition to lodging properties, Green Seal has given its approval to commercial cleaning services, floor care products, food service packaging, hand soaps and cleaners, paints and coatings, paper and newsprint, windows and doors, electric chillers and fleet vehicle maintenance. A fee is required to evaluate an applicant for certification based on information provided in a preliminary submission. “The hotel pays the cost for certification and the travel expenses of the auditor,” said Chipperfield. “The fees are based on number of rooms.”
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B y k e n n e t h J . S c h wa r t z , P. e . & c a r l F. B a l D a S S a r r a , P. e . , F S F P e SchriMer engineering
Update on Chicago’s HighPart 1–Life Safety Evaluations on october 17, 2003, a multiple-fatality fire in the Cook County administration Building caused Chicago officials to consider a number of proposals to address fire safety for an estimated 1,300 existing high-rise buildings. as with previous incidents, calls were heard to require automatic sprinklers to be installed in all such buildings, an expensive proposition strongly opposed by many apartment and condo building owners. schirmer engineering Corporation was asked to assist the City in developing a comprehensive alternative plan that would provide a reasonable level of safety for the occupants of high-rise buildings and do so in an economical manner that sustains the City’s economic strength and preserves jobs and business opportunities.
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o many apartment and condo building owners, the costly burden of complying with the Façade Ordinance was fresh in their minds. A repeat of that type of ordinance would not be well received. Schirmer Engineering met with many of the various apartment and condo associations and neighborhood groups in order to best understand their concerns.
Consequently, the ordinance that was developed and approved by City Council would not necessarily require these residential properties to install automatic sprinklers, but would include the following provisions: 1. A Life Safety Evaluation, performed by a qualified licensed Architect or Professional Engineer, must be prepared and submitted to the City.
2. A voice communication system must be provided throughout all common areas of the building. 3. All exit stairway doors must have a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating. It is important to note that while the safety risk that the Façade Ordinance addresses is certainly important, the relative frequency and potential for loss of life in a high-rise fire is significantly greater. Yet many apartment and condo building owners and managers have yet to comply with the City’s High Rise Life Safety Ordinance requirements. Not only are these properties continuing to expose their occupants to potential fire safety problems, the City Council included in the Life Safety Ordinance provisions that allow the city to assess “fines and penalties.” These fines are not small. For example, building owners or managers who fail to submit required Life Safety Evaluations by January 1, 2006 can, per Section 13-196-039 of the Municipal Code of the City of Chicago, be fined not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 for each offense, and each day that violation continues constitutes a separate and distinct offense.
Estimated Compliance Schirmer Engineering estimates that approximately one-half of the 1,100 or so high-rise buildings required to submit a Life Safety Evaluation have not yet complied. As of January 1, 2009 those highrise buildings that have not complied with the Ordinance (3-years past due) are now exposed to potential fines ranging from $547,000 to $1,095,000. Given the City’s current budget short falls and the down turn in new construction permits, it is only a matter of time before the City starts targeting these buildings. Fires in multifamily residential buildings are relatively common; however, unlike fires in single family dwellings, these fires have the added risk of impact-
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-Rise Life Safety Ordinance ing not just one’s own residence, but all the residences of the building. A fact of living in these buildings is that your own fire safety is somewhat dependent on your neighbor’s fire safety habits. While you yourself may be very careful about controlling potential sources of fire, your neighbors may not be. A fire in one dwelling unit can spread fire and smoke throughout a high-rise building, exposing numerous occupants, including those located far from the actual fire origin.
About the Life Safety Evaluation The Life Safety Evaluation (LSE) is a critical part of the High–Rise Ordinance. In order to provide an adequate level of fire
safety in a high-rise building, current building codes rely heavily on the presence of automatic sprinklers. This is appropriate for new construction, but is often a very difficult and costly solution for upgrading existing residential buildings. In order to understand how the Life Safety Evaluation works to address fire safety without reliance on automatic sprinklers, one can look to the “Fire Safety Concepts Tree” as published by the National Fire Protection Association [1], (see Figure 1). At its highest level, the Fire Safety Concepts Tree shows that the fire safety objective (at the top of the tree) can be achieved using two options or paths. Either prevent fire ignition from occurring or manage fire impact. It is generally rec-
ognized that while fire prevention activities are important, fire prevention alone can not be relied on to ensure building fire safety; therefore, adequate built-in fire protection features must be provided to manage/control the fire and its impact on the building and occupants.
Three Options Moving down the decision tree, we see we have three options to manage the fire, either control the combustion process, suppress the fire (automatically or manually), or control the fire by construction. The objectives of the manage fire strategy are to reduce hazards associated with fire growth and spread, thereby
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Figure 1:
partmentation features of the building are adequate and that they have not been violated over the course of the building’s lifespan (a common problem).
Systematic Approach
reducing the impact of the fire. The three approaches are: 1. Controlling the rate of smoke and heat production by altering the fuel or the environment (not a viable option for residential multi-family buildings). 2. Controlling the fire by automatic or manual suppression (relying on automatic sprinklers, the responding fire department, or both). 3. Controlling the fire with venting and/or containment (containment, often referred to as compartmentation, relies on fire resistive walls, floors, beams and columns to maintain the structural integrity of the building during the fire and to contain the fire to a compartment or area of the building).
TABLE 1: Number of Buildings by Construction Date Decade < 1900 1900's 1910's 1920's 1930's 1940's 1950's 1960's 1970's 1980's Totals
# 2 1 7 49 4 0 33 59 33 7 195
Residential % 1.0 0.5 3.6 25.1 2.0 0.0 16.9 30.3 16.9 3.6 100.0%
Thus, in the simplest terms, high-rise fire safety relies on two basic approaches: either automatically suppress the fire with sprinklers or use fire-rated walls and floors (compartmentation) to contain the fire to an area small enough so that the responding fire department can manually extinguish it. These two approaches are clearly visible in the Chicago High Rise Ordinance. In commercial buildings, where it is common to have large open floor plans, with little compartmentation available to contain a fire, automatic sprinklers are mandated to be installed with some exceptions for “landmark buildings”. In multi-family residential buildings, such as apartments and condos, where a high level of compartmentation is provided, the ordinance requires a Life Safety Evaluation to be performed to ensure that the com-
TABLE 2: Frequency of Deficiencies Residential Category Communication System Fire Doors Penetrations Door Hardware Enclosure Smoke Detection Access Panel Elevators HVAC Emergency Lighting Egress Sprinklers
10 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
# 175 118 114 74 49 34 27 23 21 21 15 11
% 89.7 60.5 58.5 37.9 25.1 17.4 13.8 11.8 10.8 10.8 7.7 5.6
The Life Safety Evaluation is a systematic approach to evaluate the positive and negative fire safety attributes of a building. A point scheme is used to provide a relative measure of 18 different fire safety features of the buildings, with points awarded or deducted for each. The total points are added up and if they are equal to or greater than the minimum required score, the building passes the LSE. If the total score is less than the required minimum score, fire safety upgrades must be made that will allow the building to pass the LSE, with all upgrades to be completed by January 1, 2012. The 18 fire safety features evaluated by the LSE include the following (those listed in bold type relate to compartmentation): • Building Height • Building Area • Compartmentation • Dwelling unit separations • Corridor construction • Vertical opening protection • Mixed occupancy separations • Number & capacity of exits • Dead-end corridors • Max. exit access travel distance • Elevator controls • Emergency lighting
TABLE 3: Average Cost of Common Recommendations per Building Residential Buildings Category Cost Communication System $131,123 Sprinklers (when required) $64,167 Fire Doors $45,983 Smoke Detection $35,465 Enclosure Requirements $28,179 Elevators $23,129 Door Hardware $22,812 Emergency Lighting $22,033 Egress $13,826 Penetrations $9,169 HVAC $6,890 Access Panel $5,448
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• Smoke detection
Survey of Life Safety Evaluations
• Fire alarm/communication systems
Estimates indicate that there are approximately 1,700 high-rise buildings in the City of Chicago. Of these, approximately 1,300 were built prior to 1975, the year the current high-rise requirements were added to the Chicago Building Code, and which required most of the 400 or so post-1975 buildings to have automatic sprinklers installed. Of the 1,300 pre-1975 high-rise buildings, approximately 1,100 are residential buildings, which typically do not have automatic sprinklers. Prior to 1975, the Chicago Building Code allowed these high-rise buildings to be built without sprinkler systems because a high level of compartmentation was required, along with high fire resistance rating requirements for the structural elements of the building (columns, beams, floors etc.). The High Rise Ordinance calls for a Life Safety Evaluation to be completed by a licensed architect or professional engineer to review the existing fire protection features of the building. The LSE report
• Automatic Sprinklers • HVAC controls • Smoke control • Protection of auxiliary uses In addition to requiring automatic sprinklers for commercial buildings and LSEs for apartment and condos, all highrise buildings are required under the Ordinance to provide a voice communication system throughout all common areas of the building. The voice communication system is considered so critical, that all buildings have been required to provide this fire safety feature. A detailed discussion about voice communication systems for high-rise apartment and condo buildings will be provided next MCD issue in Part 2 of this Update.
was required to be submitted to the City no later than January 1, 2006. To date, Schirmer Engineering has performed approximately 222 surveys, and estimates that less than one-half of the 1,100 buildings required to submit LSEs have done so. Furthermore, the Life Safety Evaluations were intended to be relatively cost-effective ways to have a qualified professional provide a general evaluation of the fire protection features of the building, with costs for the LSE commonly being on the order of $10,000 or less for a typical residential building. Using the 222 Life Safety Evaluations performed by Schirmer Engineering, we compiled a database to analyze trends associated with the types of deficiencies noted during the surveys and to provide a summary of estimated costs to correct these deficiencies. The following information should be of value to those buildings that have not yet completed their LSEs. continued on page 26
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Chicago Landscape Awards & Gardener of the Year ▲ Mr. Peter Knippel and his staff at Felician Sisters won top honors in the 52nd Annual Mayor Daley’s Landscape Awards sponsored by the Chicago Department of Environment.
▲ Hilliard Tower Apartments. First Place winner in the High Rise category.
M
r. Peter Knippel and his staff at Felician Sisters won top honors in the 52nd Annual Mayor Daley’s Landscape Awards sponsored by the Chicago Department of Environment. Award winners in several categories were honored during an awards ceremony in November 2008 at the Chicago Park District’s Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Avenue. “I am proud to honor a group of residents who represent the diversity of our city — from business leaders, to schools, to community groups,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “They demonstrated the difference anyone can make when committed
to the goal of protecting our natural resources and beautifying our City.” Mr. Knippel and his staff at Felician Sisters were recognized for their spectacular gardens in the Peterson Park community. The landscape and some of the gardens at Felician Sisters have existed since 1926, the founding of the convent. “The goal of the garden is to have the outside reflect the beliefs and lives of the sisters who live inside. It is our wish that all who visit or pass by will experience a sense of beauty, peace and tranquility,” said Knippel. Mr. Knippel and his staff have created this tranquil place by expanding and restoring gardens with a very limited
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budget. Their resourcefulness is ingenuous, this landscape is their passion. The total property is approximately 30 acres with an elegant array of perennial and shrub gardens, mature forest and trails leading to beautiful rock outcropping and gazebo areas. The staff and Mr. Knippel have restored the gardens with limited resources while keeping a holistic view of gardening in mind. They have given back to the earth by using their own compost and soil, transplanting and dividing existing perennials and taking in hospitalized plants and nursing them back to vigorous health. The grandeur of the Felician Sisters gardens Mr. Knippel and his staff have created and sustained is breathtaking. First, second and third place winners were declared in each of five geographic regions for the following categories: Single Family Residential, Multi Unit Residential, Schools and Community Landscapes. In addition, three winners each were declared in city wide categories: Commercial Landscapes, Container Gardens, Green Roofs, High Rise Residential, Public Institutions, Native Landscapes, Riverfront Landscapes and Specialized Landscapes. New city wide categories added this year are Vegetable Gardens and a special recognition of Green Hotel Landscapes. This program honors all of the individuals, community groups and schools that have made the city all that it is today. Their commitment to the City and gardening the past fifty-two years has been the lifeblood of this program. Year in and year out, the participants of this wonderful program have come to exemplify Chicago’s motto of “City in a Garden.” The Mayor’s Landscape Awards Program was underwritten by WRD Environmental. $
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2008 Landscape Award Winners -Commericial Lanscapes, Container Gardens, Green Roofs & Native Landscapes
2008 Landscape Award Winners -Schools, MultiUnit Residential and Single Family Residential 1ST PL ACE
2ND PL ACE
3RD PL ACE
1ST PL ACE
2ND PL ACE
3RD PL ACE
Commercial Landscapes Northern Trust 50 s lasalle 42nd Ward
Gabriel Environmental Services 1421 n elston 32nd Ward
CB Richard Ellis 311 s Wacker drive 2nd Ward
Schools Region 1 North Center 5104 W Belmont 30th Ward
Foreman High School 3235 n leClaire 30th Ward
John Garvy School 5225 n oak park 41st Ward
Container Gardens Hung Phi Tu 1239 W Foster 49th Ward
Karen Rabun 1632 n hudson 43rd Ward
Rick Repenning & Bill Sviatko 5302 n Winthrop 48th Ward
Schools Region 2 Northside Learning Center 3730 W Bryn mawr 39th Ward
Inter-American Magnet School 851 W Waveland 44th Ward
Jordan Community School 7414 n Wolcott 50th Ward
Green Roofs Gary Comer Youth Center 7200 s ingleside 5th Ward
The Residences at 900 900 n michigan 42nd Ward
Chicago Cultural Center 78 e Washington 42nd Ward
Schools Region 3 Oscar Mayer Elementary School 2250 n Clifton 32nd> Ward
Peabody Elementary School 1444 W augusta 1st> Ward
Northwestern University 710 n lake shore drive 42nd> Ward
High Rise Residential Hilliard Tower Apartments 2111 s Clark 3rd Ward
The Pinnacle Condominium 21 e. huron 42nd Ward
Forth Group 1620 s michigan 2nd Ward
Schools Region 4 Whittier School, Xochiquetzal Peace Garden 1900 W 23rd st 25th> Ward
Saint Ignatius College Prep 1076 W roosevelt 25th> Ward
Blair Early Childhood Center 6751 W 63rd place 23rd> Ward
Native Landscapes John G Shedd Aquarium 1200 s lake shore drive 42nd Ward
The Nichols Park Meadowlarks 1322 e 54th st 4th Ward
Triangle Park Garden 7700 n hermitage 49th Ward
Schools Region 5 Arthur Dixon Elementary School 8306 s st lawrence 6th Ward
Fleming School 4918 W 64th st 13th Ward
Saint Xavier University 3700 W 103rd st 19th Ward
Public Institutions John G Shedd Aquarium 1200 s lake shore drive 42nd Ward
Cook County Sheriff’s Office 3026 s California 12th Ward
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 n Cannon dr 43rd Ward
Multi-Unit Residential Region 1 Resurrection Retirement Community 7262 W peterson 41st Ward
Sharon Baker-Johnson 3763 n Kostner 38th Ward
Henry Kurek 7235 W palatine 41st Ward
Riverfront Landscapes Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois 955 W Cermak 25th Ward
The Habitat Company Kingsbury Plaza 350 W hubbard 42nd Ward
General Iron 1909 n Clifton 43rd Ward
Multi-Unit Residential Region 2 Felician Sisters 3800 W. peterson 39th Ward
Kelly Wisdom 4312 n Bernard 33rd Ward
Suzanne Stryczek 1244 W granville 48th Ward
Specialized Gardens Magellan Development Group 400 e Benton 42nd Ward
Phil Schuster Studio 3833-39 W lake 28th Ward
SSA# 26 Broadway Commercial District 5853 n Broadway 48th Ward
625 W Cornelia 46th Ward
Sofia Statkiewicz Sofie’s Garden 2614 W evergreen 26th Ward
Phoenix Rising Managment Group 1301 W madison 27th Ward
Vegetable Gardens Chicago Botanic Green Youth Farm 3555 W ogden 24th Ward
Fulton St Flower & Vegetable Garden 4427-29 W Fulton 28th Ward
Flannery Senior Apartments 1531 n Clybourn 27th Ward
Multi-Unit Residential Region 4 Christopher Bania 3700 s Wolcott 11th Ward
Kenneth M. Kozlar 3158 s emerald 11th Ward
Anaele Chavez 728 W 21st st 25th Ward
St. Ailbe Faith Apartments 1244 e 93rd st 8th Ward
Senior Suites of Washington Heights 848 W 103rd st 34th Ward
Multi-Unit Residential Region 3 Roy R. Moscata
Special Recognition—Green Hotel Landscapes The Westin Chicago Best Western River North Hawthorne Terrace 320 n dearborn 3434 n Broadway 42nd Ward 44th Ward
Renaissance Chicago Hotel 1 W Wacker dr 42nd Ward
Community Landscapes Region 1 Forest Glen Edens Parkway 4800 W Catalpa ave. 45th Ward
Northwest Chicago Pulaski Neighbors 834 - 844 n Keystone 37th Ward
Norwood Park Garden Club, Crippen House 5624 n newark 41st Ward
Community Landscapes Region 2 West Edgewater Area Residents St. Gregory the Great Church 5800 n ravenswood 5545 n paulina 40th Ward 40th Ward
Rogers Park Garden Group 7100 n ravenswood 49th Ward
Community Landscapes Region 3 East Village Block & Garden Club 1800 W iowa 1st & 32nd Wards
1550 Lake Shore Drive Condo 1550 n lake shore drive 43rd Ward
St. Leonard’s House 2100 W Warren 2nd Ward
Community Landscapes Region 4 Vision on Menard 5746-60 W division 29th Ward
Fulton St Flower & Vegetable Garden 4427-29 W Fulton 28th Ward
Concerned Citizens Org of the 24th Ward 3817-18 W Flournoy 24th Ward
Community Landscapes Region 5 5th District Environmental Committee 10700 s dauphin 9th Ward
First Unitarian Church 5650 s Woodlawn 5th Ward
Woodlawn Youth Solutions 6146 s Kenwood 20th Ward
spring 2009
Multi-Unit Residential Region 5 Aleta M. Cohen 1404-08 W.199th> st 34th Ward
Single Family Residential Region 1 Anna Ramaglia Duane Dupee 7034 W henderson 2144 n neva 36th Ward 36th Ward
Vera Ritter 7006 W Farragut 41st Ward
Single Family Residential Region 2 Robert & Louise Weyers Mike Weis & Michelle Brooker 2438 W gunnison 5733 n Jersey 47th Ward 39th Ward
Josephine Peterson 4831 n Kildare 39st Ward
Single Family Residential Region 3 Claudia Skylar Karen Haring & Marjorie Michel 1615 W north ave 2131 n hudson 1st Ward 43rd Ward
Jeffry Peters & David Young 1847 n orleans 43rd Ward
Single Family Residential Region 4 Louis & Wanda Martin Mary L. Nolan 4417 s michigan 6819 W 63rd pl 3rd Ward 23rd Ward
Patricia Liskovec 5305 s Fairfield 14th Ward
Single Family Residential Region 5 Edward & Karen Farrelly Marie Vaval 3256 W 110th st 8935 s Yates 19th Ward 7th Ward
Mattie Sago 6620-22 s maryland 5th Ward
ChiCagoland Building & environments
13
&
Buildings Environments
S
editor’s message
Chicagoland
pring could not get here fast enough for most of us. this
makes the second consecutive Winter that has brought us
Volume 4, No. 2, Spring 2009
extreme cold and heavy amounts of snow. snow removal plans were
THE
again tested to new limits.
Landscape La Lan ndscap scapee BBuyer uyer uy er
attention as their effect is felt on our environment. repeated freeze-
Volume 15, No. 2, Spring 2009
thaw cycles can cause damage that can go unseen or noticed until
the hazards of harsh winter weather will continue to require
many years down the road and the fluctuations in the weather will be seen in our outdoor landscapes, parking lots and exterior facades for seasons to come. if damage is not readily visible, be sure to monitor your property(s) carefully in the future for any Editor & Publisher Michael C. Davids Vice President Sherri Iandolo Art Director Rick Dykhuis
effects of the brutal winter conditions we just experienced. our cover story for this issue of CBe covers how five Chicago hotels have earned the green seal designation and provides practical examples describing their green building programs and initiatives.
our second story is an update on Chicago’s life safety ordinance. this article discusses compliance issues for properties that are required by Chicago to have a life safety evaluation performed by a qualified professional. this is a topic we cover regularly and has become even
Contributing Writers James A. Fizzell, Cathy Walker, David Mack
more burdensome for building owners, tenants, residents and managers as a result of current economic conditions. another article is this issue deals with how a developer can go about creating an environ-
Circulation & Administration Carol Iandolo, Mary Knoll, Arlene Wold The Landscape Buyer and Chicagoland Building & Environments is published Winter/Spring and
mentally sensitive green community. While this is also a subject we have covered in several prior publications, there are always new ideas and information in this regard. there are also features on the Chicago landscape awards program that highlight the environmental efforts of a number of individuals, companies and organizations. Jim Fizzell’s regular
Summer/Autumn by MCD Media, as informational and edu-
feature (in the landscape Buyer) on the weather and your landscape provides some helpful tips
cational tools for the buyers, users and providers of green
on preparing your outdoor landscape for the coming season and what to watch for in terms of
industry products and services. For editorial, advertising and
winter damage on your plants. our regular government Briefs and industry happenings
subscription information contact: 935 Curtiss, Suite 5,
columns along with highlights from a variety of special events can also be found in this issue.
Downers Grove, IL 60515, 630-932-5551 or 630-663-0333.
We will continue to explore many other green building trends and issues in coming issues
Fax: 630-663-0339 or 630-932-5553.
of CBe. if you have a green story to share, or if your property has a special need or challenge,
CIRCULATION: The Landscape Buyer and Chicagoland
in current issues. many members of our CBe advisory board will attend these events. there are
Building & Environments maintains a circulation of 7,000.
also key resources from our sister publication –Condo lifestyles available at our special events.
Subscriptions are available for $19.95 per year. Group sub-
mCd special events provide a terrific forum for purchasing professionals to get questions
mCd media produces special events that feature a variety of resources and experts specializing
scriptions are available at $13.95 each, per year (orders of 5 or more). Single issues are available for $10.95. All material herein is copyrighted. No part of this publication may be reproduced whatsoever without written consent from the publisher.
answered, meet new vendors, share a story idea, or socialize with other volunteers and professionals. please consider attending our upcoming mCd golf invitational on July 17 and our luncheon at arlington international racecourse on september 12th. thanks to the many new subscribers that have found our publications useful and informative. special thanks to the firms, associations and groups that are authorized distributors of Chicagoland Buildings and environments, the landscape Buyer and Condo lifestyles. those of
This publication is designed to provide accurate and
you who are interested in becoming subscribers can obtain subscription information on page 22
authoritative information in regard to the subject matter
of this issue.
covered. It is issued with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal or accounting serv-
as we continue to grow our new venture, we encourage you to make your environment and your community all it can be. $
ices. If legal advice is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
michael C. davids editor and publisher
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
spring 2009
Professional Services Directory ASBESTOS / LEAD ABATEMENT
ARCHITECTS / ENGINEERS
BANKING Community Advantage of Barrington Bank & Trust 847-304-5940 Loans, Reserve Investments & Lock Box Services
IFD Inc. Associated Environmental LLC 847-364-6800 Asbestos Abatement • Lead Paint Mitigation www.ifd-associated.com
ARCHITECTS / ENGINEERS Coder Taylor Associates 847-382-4100 Architects • Research • Engineering Specifications • Reserve Studies
Full Circle Architects, LLC (847) 564-0884 (847) 564-3880 fax Daniel Baigelman, AIA dan@fullcirclearchitects.com
www.communityadvantage.com
LM Consultants, Inc. 847-573-1717
BUILDING RESTORATIONS
Reserve Analysis Studies Property Evaluations Maintenanace Procedure Review ADA & Code Compliance Studies www.lmconsultants.com
Abel Building & Restoration (847) 543-9800
SWH Architects, Ltd. 630-466-8021 Contact - Steve Hansen stevehansen@mchsi.com
www.fullcirclearchitects.com 85Revere Drive, Suite B, Northbrook, IL 60062
Contact Mark Neville
Environ International Corporation V: 312.288.3836 F: 312.288.3801
www.environcorp.com 333 West Wacker | Suite 2700 Chicago, Illinois 60606
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
For Display or Professional Services Directory Advertising Info, Call (630) 663-0333 spring 2009
Quality Restorations (630) 595-0990
ASPHALT Hard Surface Solutions 815-344-8400 / 630-674-4520
Capital Improvements • Reserve Studies • Engineering Reports
Since 1924 Tuckpointing / Masonry Repairs & Reconstruction Concrete Restoration / Facade Inspections Sealant & Caulking Application www.abelrestoration.com
The Lorusso Companies (630)231-9009 C O N C R E T E & A S P H A LT
Install New • Remove Old • Repair • Footings Foundations • Sidewalk • Parking Lots • Driveways www.lorussocompanies.com
National Restoration Systems, Inc. (847) 483-7700 General Contractors Masonry & Concrete Restoration, Facade Repairs, Terra Cotta, Stone, Sealants, Sealers, Protective Coatings, Expansion Joints, Balconies, Plazas www.nrsys.com
Riggio/Boron Ltd. A Total Exterior Facade Restoration Company
847-531-5700 Maul Asphalt & Seal Coating 630-420-8765 Sealcoating / Crack-Sealing / Striping Asphalt Installation www.maulasphalt.com
ATTORNEYS Orum & Roth, Ltd. 312-922-6262 Intellectual Property Law Trademarks • Patents Condominium Law General Litigation Contact Mark D. Roth
www.RiggioBoron.net
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
ChiCagoland Building & environments
15
CONCRETE 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
FIRE / FLOOD RESTORATION
HVAC
Brouwer Bros. Steamatic
Hayes Mechanical (773) 784-0000
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
2007 IREM Vendor of the Year www.hayesmechanical.com
Team Mechanical A N E M CO R CO M PA NY
(847) 537-1616 www.tmi.com
DUCT CLEANING Brouwer Brothers Steamatic
The Restoration Group, LLC 630-580-5584
All types of Environmental Cleaning.
www.trgrestore.com
800 CLEAN54 (253-2654) 708-396-1447 (24-hour service line)
FIRE SAFETY & PROTECTION
INSURANCE Hollinger Services, Inc. 847-437-2184 www.hollingerinsurance.com
ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION McGinty Brothers Professional Lawn & Tree Care 847-438-5161
Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB) 866-2NIFSAB (866-264-3722) 708-403-4468
Mesirow Financial www.condorisk.com 312-595-8135
www.firesprinklerassoc.org
INTERNET TECHNOL0GY
Team Fire Protection
Mutual Vision 800-261-9691 x404
ELEVATORS/CONSULTANTS Otis Elevator Co. 312-575-1629
A N E M CO R CO M PA NY
(847) 537-1616 www.tmi.com
FORECLOSURE & EVICTION RELATED SERVICES
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Brouwer Bros. Steamatic (800) CLEAN54
Kinsella Landscape, Inc. 708-371-0830
Photo Inventory, Moving, Storage or Disposal www.bbsteamatic.com
“A New Class of Landscape Service” www.kinsellalandscape.com
Contact Matt Hook www.mutualvision.com Websites For Community Associations Technology Promotes Community Awareness & Member Participation Information & Technology Consulting Services
IRRIGATION
NatureScape Design HVAC E.L. Johnson Investigations, Inc. (312) 583-1167 (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
Brouwer Bros. Steamtic HVAC system, exhaust, and dryer duct cleaning. Coil cleaning. Robotic duct cleaning, sealing, and inspection available.
800-CLEAN54(253-2654) 708-396-1447
Irrigation & Water Features Contact Paul Layshock or Jean Singleton
847-639-6900
LAKE & POND CLEANING
www.bbsteamatic.com
Organic Sediment Removal Systems (608) 565-7105 contact: Rich Kohutko www.pondclean.com
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
spring 2009
LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS
MOLD REMEDIATION
Acres Group
Brouwer Brothers Steamatic
Professional Landscaping and Snow Removal
All types of Environmental Cleaning.
1-888-231-1800
800 CLEAN54 (253-2654) 708-396-1447 (24-hour service line)
www.acresgroup.com
Alan Horticultural Services, Inc. 630-739-0205 www.alanhorticultural.com
Balanced Environments 847-228-7230 wwwbalancedenvironmentsinc.com
ILT Vignocchi 847-487-5200 Kinsella Landscape, Inc. 708-371-0830 “A New Class of Landscape Service” www.kinsellalandscape.com
Landscape Concepts Management 847-223-3800 www.landscapeconcepts.com
IFD Inc. Associated Environmental LLC 847-364-6800 Environmental Remediation www.ifd-associated.com
Clean Air Inspections (847) 344-0607 Mold & Water Damage Experts RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL Asisstance with Insuance Claims Post Remediation Assessments & Occupancy Studies
PAVING DuBois Paving 847-634-6089 / 800-884-4728 www.DuBoisPaving.com
Maul Asphalt & Seal Coating 630-420-8765 Sealcoating / Crack-Sealing / Striping Asphalt Installation www.maulasphalt.com
PEST MANAGEMENT SERVICES Smithereen Pest Management Services 800-336-3500 www.smithereen.com
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
NUISANCE WILDLIFE
Alter Asset Management 630-620-3600
Smithereen Pest Management Services 847-647-0010
www.altergroup.com
OFFICE RENTAL/LEASING
Sebert Landscaping, Inc. 630-497-1000
The Alter Group 630-620-3600
www.sebert.com
www.altergroup.com
Baum Property Services, LTD., AAMC 630-897-0500 Caruso Management Group, Inc. Residential & Commercial
630-717-7188 www.carusomg.com
Thornapple Landscapes, Inc. 630-232-2076 / 800-464-3443
PAINTERS
Quality Landscaping Since 1947 www.thornapplelandscapes.com
AAA Painting Contractors, Inc. 630-231-8350
847-866-7400 / 773-273-3434
www.aaapaintco.com
www.hhsg.com
LAWN CARE McGinty Brothers Professional Lawn & Tree Care 847-438-5161
Heil, Heil, Smart & Golee
Corbrook Enterprises 847-604-0857
Real Estate Since 1885
McGill Management, Inc. 847-259-1331 www.mcgillmanagement.com
www.mcgintybros.com
Spring Green Professional Lawn & Tree Care 800-830-5914
PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT Spies & Associates Engineering • Pavement Analysis Construction Management & Inspection
For Display or Professional Services Directory Advertising Info, Call (630) 663-0333
847-577-8808 spring 2009
ChiCagoland Building & environments
17
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
SECURITY SERVICES
TREE CARE & PRESERVATION
Tairre Management (847) 299-5740
Seal-Tight Protective Services, Inc. (847) 640-2210
McGinty Brothers Professional Lawn & Tree Care 847-438-5161
www.stpsguards.net
www.mcgintybros.com
SIDING / RENOVATIONS
WASTE SERVICES/REC YCLING
B.T. Lakeside Roofing 630-628-0093
Lakeshore Waste Services 773-685-8811
tsutton@tairremgmt.com
Legum & Norman, Mid-West 312944-2611 www.lnchicago.com
ROOFING
www.lakeroof.com
B.T. Lakeside Roofing 630-628-0093
SNOW REMOVAL
WINDOWS/REPLACEMENTS
www.lakeroof.com
Corbrook Enterprises 847-604-0857
IFD Inc. Associated Environmental LLC 847-364-6800
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
www.ifd-associated.com
Hard Surface Solutions 815-344-8400 / 630-674-4520 Contact Mark Neville
SOLAR ENERGY Solar Service, Inc. 847-677-0950
ProTop Roofing 847-559-9119
www.solarserviceinc.com
ROOFTOP GARDENS
TREE CARE & PRESERVATION
Environ International Corporation V: 312.288.3836
Autumn Tree Care 847-729-1963
New Construction • Renovation • Replacement/Repair Window Systems • Noise Abatement • Curtain Wall Systems Aluminum Windows: Wausau, Graham, Champion, Fulton Wood Windows: Andersen, Pella, Kolbe & Kolbe Steel Windows:Crittall
Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement 708 574 5661 www.renewalbyandersen.com Kim LaPaglia Kimberly.lapaglia@andersencorp.com Community Association Specialist
F: 312.288.3801
www.environcorp.com 333 West Wacker | Suite 2700 Chicago, Illinois 60606
Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc. 630-293-5444 Tree Pruning, Tree Removal, Cable Bracing, Plant Health Care, Tree Planting & Transplanting E-mail: KramerTree@aol.com
For Display or Professional Services Directory Advertising Info, Call (630) 663-0333
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
spring 2009
SPRING 2009
By  JaMeS a. Fizzell
The Weather and Your Landscape E
ven though the winter is just coming to an end, already we are seeing some effects of the severe weather the last six months. After the September 2008 deluge, the fall was dryer with only about two inches of rain in October and even less in November. The weather was warm as well. After a cold snap in early fall, there was very little frost, and as late as Thanksgiving, temperatures were mild. After the heavy rain in September, the soil dried quickly. This is a common occurrence as the drainage set up by the heavy rain continues after the rains stop. Three days after Thanksgiving, it snowed. Temperatures plunged to near zero. During the next week and a half another six inches of snow accumulated and for two weeks it stayed below freezing. On the 13th and 14th of December, temperatures warmed to near 50. Then it rained. But by Monday, December 15, everything froze and temperatures dropped to single digits where they stayed for another week. Christmas was cold, but on the 27th, it hit 61 degrees. There were thunder-storms raging through northern Illinois. The first week of 2009 was moderate but snow had once again begun to accumulate. Anyone who thought the worst of the cold and snow was over, was to be disappointed. January turned out to be one of the toughest in decades. Snow fell almost every other day, and temperatures did not rise to the freezing mark for weeks. The coldest weather was at midmonth when it never got up to zero. By then the snow machine did shut down, but by monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end the snow still had not begun to disappear.
spring 2009
February did bring some respite. After a bitter cold start, temperatures moderated and hit 50 degrees by the second weekend, rising to 60 by midweek. According to most experts, that was to indicate the beginning of a period of moderate weather extending well into March.
Tough on Plantings Several things about that weather were tough on our plantings. The mild, dry fall did not stimulate plants to develop the dormancy that allows them to survive the cold of winter. The sudden cold at the beginning of December caught plants unawares. Soils were dry and where the snow cover had blown away, roots were exposed to fatally low temperatures. Dry soils chill a lot faster than moist soils. The heavy snow accumulated on branches of trees and shrubs where it froze. Until the thaw in late December, plants suffered under the weight. Many were broken down. Others were bent under the load and would take some time to regain their form. The sudden mild spells, appearing after severe cold in the early part of the winter, warmed plants and further interfered with their attempts toward dormancy. Fortunately, the accumulating snow cover protected low-growing plants and the lower parts of flowering shrubs. As evidence of this, grass exposed from under the melting snow was still green and growing at the end of December. Snows, that accumulated later during the severe cold, were dry and did not stick to branches as had the earlier wet stuff.
Ice & Snow Ice and snow removal always results in a lot of damage to plantings. Even where plans are made well ahead of time for such activities, problems do occur. Salting is a major cause of damage. Accumulations on lawns and in flower beds kill plants. Salt spray from traffic damages unprotected stems and branches, particularly of evergreens. Mechanical damage by plows and snow blowers is unavoidable. It is sometimes difficult to see where the walks and drives end and the plantings begin. When a season is as snowy as this has been, places to put the snow begin to be filled up. The snow ends up on lawns or beds where the salt stays when the snow melts.
Nuisance Wildlife The prolonged snow cover, along with the cold, limited forage for wild animals. Deer, rabbits and voles turned to ornamentals where they could find a ready food source. Last fall we warned that the predicted snows would result in grazing damage. Those who took that warning seriously, protected plants with screens and guards. Unprotected yews were eaten down to the snow line by deer, and rabbits trimmed back exposed stems of shrubs. Voles were working below the blanket of snow, girdling stems and trunks of shrubs and thin-barked trees, as well as devouring carefully planted spring flowering bulbs. The evidence of their movements would appear as the snow melted from lawns. Myriads of trails and paths used by these creatures under the protective layer were exposed, alarming those who were not aware of the cause. These trails would soon disappear as the grass began to grow, but the damage to the other plants would take some time for
ChiCagoland Building & environments
19
recovery. Stems clipped back would soon re-grow. Girdled trunks and branches would likely not recover. Flowering from bulb plantings would be severely affected.
Not Seen Until Spring
Of particular concern is the Emerald Ash Borer. This insect spends the winter beneath the bark of the affected tree where it is safe from the worst of the weather.
Much of this damage will not appear until plants begin growth in Spring. However, experienced landscape maintenance contractors already have assessed the situation, and as soon as the weather allows, will carry out the carefully laid plans.
Weather Forecast For what to expect for the remainder of the winter and spring, we talked to our long-range weather prognosticator and professional Meteorologist, Greg Soulje. According to Soulje, the El Nino that was expected this winter never did develop. Instead, the atmosphere remained in a neutral condition, neither an El Nino nor a La Nina. Last summer the atmosphere was dominated by a moderately strong La Nina. It was responsible for the mild temperatures and the adequate moisture. It does appear that a moderate La Nina is beginning to develop and it should be in
full force by mid-spring. Precipitation diminished in February after the heavy snowfall in December and January. Most of the snow melted with the thaw that began in early February. The warmer weather had been expected to arrive in mid January, but arrived about three weeks late. The rest of the winter should be mild with little in the way of snow. Then, as the La Nino develops, temperatures again will average below the norm and precipitation should increase. Spring, says Soulje, will have a tough time arriving, with a return to cold and rain or possibly snow through mid-spring. There is a lot of moisture and frost still in the ground in the northern tier of states and in the prairie provinces. Winds mostly will be from the East and there may well be a late-season snow. The weather will not be continuously cold, he says. There will be some spikes of warmth, providing a day or so for outdoor work for those ready to take advantage of it.
La Nina Developing In retrospect, it sounds a lot like
Providing Pest Management Services in the Chicagoland Area since 1888
what we experienced last year. It seemed like there was no spring, then suddenly it was summer. Late spring and early summer will feature an abrupt shift to normal rainfall and normal temperatures. There will be some hot days in summer, but cooler weather will dominate, and moisture will be sporadic. Last summer was similar. There were few really hot days and moisture was just adequate. The weather last year was dominated by the La Nina. The U. S. Weather Service agrees that a La Nina is developing. If so, we can expect similar weather patterns again this year. Considering the above, some predictions regarding our plantings can be made with a fairly good assurance that they will pan out.
Cultural Practices Repair of winter damage will occupy the earlier part of the season. Some trimming of trees and shrubs as well as replacement of plants completely killed will be necessary. Repair of the lawns may require removal and replacement of salty soil and re-sodding or seeding. Grass scuffed up by plows often can be set back in place and will re-knit. As the season progresses, plants susceptible to cankering from the severe temperature changes will begin to die back. As this happens, simply trimming out dead parts will improve the looks of the plants. The evergreens clipped back to the ground will need replacing, but those simply nipped back by the cold or by salt exposure will re-grow. Do not be too quick to cut out brown parts of these plants. Often, while the needles are brown and dead, the buds beneath them are still alive. Wait until the new growth begins before cutting out any of these parts. Beds of bulbs damaged by voles will be disappointing. Early replacement with annuals may be necessary.
Insects & Pests
pest management services Your Partner for a Healthy Environment 1-800-336-3500
www.smithereen.com
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
With a severe winter such as we have just gone through, some people think the bug problems will be reduced. Surely the bugs canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stand the cold. This may be true for some kinds, but those well protected beneath the snow, or within the
spring 2009
trunks of trees, are generally unaffected. Of particular concern is the Emerald Ash Borer. This insect spends the winter beneath the bark of the affected tree where it is safe from the worst of the weather. There may be some mortality of these insects, but most will survive. (See Sidebar Article) Grubs spend the winter deep in the ground. The snow cover prevented deep penetration of the cold, so they should have survived without difficulty. Mites and aphids winter as either eggs beneath the bark, or well-protected at the bases of plants. Those beneath the snow and will be relatively unaffected. However, if the weather turns out to be cool and wet this spring, many of these
insects will be attacked by natural-occurring fungi which will keep numbers down. Some insects are killed by the cold, but these readily repopulate the area from populations that move in from the South where the winters are not as severe. Cutworms, turfgrass greenbug and some others are in this category. The anticipated wet spring could mean severe fungus diseases such as apple scab, cedar quince rust, sphaeropsis and diplodia in spruces and pines, and leafspot on lawns. Your Landscape Contractor is aware of the timing and materials to prevent these problems.
Plan for Early Landscape Work Since most prognosticators feel this
season will be much like last year, our landscape contractors are well aware of the things to look for and are prepared to do what is needed to repair and protect your plantings. As mentioned above, especially if you have a multi-year maintenance contract, your contractor has already been making plans for the early work that will need to be done. You may not even realize that the work is going on until you see your plantings leafing out and blooming this spring. Experienced landscape contractors are skilled at identifying problems and correcting them before they destroy the looks of your plantings. Take advantage of their expertise. They are just as interested in keeping your plantings attractive as you are. $
Concerns about Emerald Ash Borer
E
merald ash Borers are of particular concern to those who have large numbers of ash trees on their properties. ashes were heavily planted in many developments because they are so tolerant of the tough conditions. these trees will stand soils compacted during construction, cold wet soils, and urban stresses. they are attractive and relatively fast growing. latest reports continue to disclose new infestations in illinois, and now in other states as well. While these insects can fly to new locations, the vast majority of the infestations are due to the insects being transported in firewood. the outbreaks in popular camping spots are evidence of this. the insect is well established in illinois and eradication seems to be increasingly unlikely. a tremendous amount of research is now underway to try to stem the outbreaks, and to find some kind of control that will reduce the damage these pests do. until recently, the only means of eliminating an infestation is clear-cutting of all ash trees within a given distance from known infestations. millions of ash trees have been removed in michigan, indiana and ontario. Within the last year or so, several insecticides that will control the pest have been registered and are available to professional arborists who do your tree work.
the urgency earlier considered necessary for locating and treating infestations has faded. trees can survive ▲ Shown above are symptoms affecting a tree with Ash Borers. several years of photo credit: The Care of Trees infestation before they begin to deteriorate. newer control chemicals eliminate the borers even in severely affected trees. trees with up to as much a 30 percent dieback can recover. this makes preventive treatment of unaffected trees unnecessary. in no case do trees more than 15 miles from a known infestation need treatment. also the cost of treatments would suggest that only trees of special value be treated. these might include among others those at the entrance to the development, or trees in golf courses that if lost might affect par.
Treatments Available Difficult to Identify infestations are difficult to identify until the beetles have been active in a location for a few years and the trees begin to die back. in an attempt to identify the infestations more quickly, two methods are being utilized. traptrees are smaller individual ash trees especially located to attract beetles. these trees are sacrificed to ascertain the presence of an infestation. purple traps which you may have seen hanging in trees last year will attract beetles which are then identified and the infestation located. these traps are set every mile or so and may not locate newly developing infestations. the beetles do not leave an infested site until the population gets so great that they are being crowded. they move no more than about ½ mile per season.
spring 2009
the chemicals registered for emerald ash Borer treatments include imidacloprid (merit, ima-Jet, Xytect, pointer) and emamectin Benzoate (tree-age) injected into the tree annually; imidacloprid ( merit, Xytect) annually in the soil around the tree; and dinotefuran (safari) applied in pentrabark annually to the trunk. For now, annual treatments are being recommended. tests are underway to determine the longevity of such treatments and to see if annual treatments are needed in all cases. For the time being, it is probably not wise to plant ash trees unless they are considered as temporary. resistant ash cultivars and naturally occurring predators or diseases of the emerald ash borers now being investigated would provide relief from this pest.
ChiCagoland Building & environments
21
Chicago Names Department Heads Created by Consolidation
C
hicago mayor richard m. daley recently announced the appointments of commissioners to head two new city departments created by department consolidations. the mayor also announced the appointments of a new Commissioner of Buildings and executive director of the Board of ethics, both of whom have been serving in those positions in an “acting” capacity. “as the people of Chicago know, the City has always put the better management of government first before turning to taxpayers. With the nation in a financial crisis, our city revenues have been lower but the demand for services continues,” daley said in a City hall news conference. “recently i announced that in our 2009 budget we would consolidate several city departments as another way to manage government more efficiently and to protect our working families and those Chicagoans who are most in need.” daley said that in addition to delivering city services more efficiently and making them more accessible for residents, the overall department consoli-
dations will reduce headcount by almost 240 positions, 103 of which are in the corporate fund, and reduce costs by about $5 million in that fund. the city began implementing the consolidations upon City Council’s passage of the 2009 budget and expected the new departments to be up and running by the beginning of the new Year. the appointments announced are: patti scudiero, Commissioner of the new department of Zoning and land use and planning and Zoning administrator. she has been the city’s Zoning administrator since 2006. this department is created by merging the Zoning department and the land use section of planning to provide a centralized location where people can receive economic development, land use, business and consumer services. norma reyes, Commissioner of the new department of Business affairs and Consumer protection. she has been Commissioner of Consumer services since 2004. this department combines the departments of Business affairs and licensing and Consumer services to provide
streamlined services for businesses and consumers - from licensing to inspections to protection from unfair practices. rich monocchio, Commissioner of the department of Buildings where he has been serving as acting Commissioner. steve Berlin, executive director of the Board of ethics, where he has been serving as acting executive director. “all four of these individuals are committed to public service and bring significant experience to these positions. they are dedicated leaders who will help move our city forward. i have made it clear to them that during these challenging times, we all need to work together to provide the services our people need, but in a way that our taxpayers can afford,” he said. “the challenge of operating with lower revenues but increasing demand for services is not a short-term one. looking to the future, every city needs to be concerned about the effects of our nation’s deteriorating economy.
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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
spring 2009
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. WRD Environmental spring 2009
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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
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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
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.
ChiCagoland Building & environments
23
By larry SchaFFel
Creating an Environmentally-Sensitive ‘Green’ Community A Multi-Dimensional Challenge for Developers P
romoting a healthy environment is a challenge of many dimensions for real estate developers. For example, smart solutions at lakeshore east, the award-winning 28-acre village under development near the confluence of lake michigan and the Chicago river, range from the design of an eco-friendly storm sewer system to green rooftops with numerous other environmentally-aware processes and practices in-between. “environmental impact has always been paramount to magellan development group,” declares david Carlins, president of the developer of lakeshore east. “We have established many policies and initiatives and implemented them to ensure that we observe earth-conscious planning and practices.”
Green Roof & Eco-products its international award-winning master plan calls for 590,000 square feet of green and open space. much of the open space is in the form of the green space, including the 6-acre botanical park that is the centerpiece of the community, scattered ‘pocket’ parks, landscaped setbacks, landscaped plazas, etc. magellan also has committed to the city that 15 of its rooftops will be constructed as
green roofs, thus eliminating much of the “heatisland” effect caused by traditional roofs. “at 80,000 square feet, aqua at lakeshore east will feature the largest outdoor amenity deck and green roof in Chicago,” notes Carlins. eco-products are utilized throughout the site where possible, including a storm sewer system utilizing filter inserts and large in-line interceptors, a children’s playground surface made out of recycled tires, park fountains that utilize recycled water, and lighting/signage that uses energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (led’s) that consume a fraction of the energy used by conventional lighting.
340 On the Park magellan has also long practiced designing and constructing environmentally-sensitive buildings. the community’s 340 on the park condominium building, which magellan co-developed with related midwest, is the first residential tower in the midwest region of the united states to receive the united states green Building Council’s silver certification in leadership in energy and environmental design (leed) standards. Building practices range from recycling programs aimed at both construction activities and building operations to using locally procured products wherever possible to minimize transportation
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
impacts. magellan utilizes low-e tinted glass in its buildings to maintain optimal temperature control in each residence, thus minimizing energy loss and reducing energy consumption. in addition, individual homeowners are offered many earth-friendly interior choices through its partners that practice sustainability and conservation within their manufacturing processes. these choices include: • Bamboo flooring- a durable hardwood that is considered a rapidly renewable resource. • Mosaic tiles made from recycled glass. • Floor and wall tiles that are specially treated to resist mold, mildew, dirt, and grease- thus drastically reducing the frequency of cleaning as well as the use of harsh chemical cleansers that affect indoor air quality. • Hanstone Quartz countertops: ‘Greenguard’ certified material (low emitting). Hanstone is a nonporous material, inhibiting mold, mildew, and bacterial growth which are harmful to indoor air quality. • Plumbing fixtures: Faucets, shower heads, and toilets focusing on water conservation (from HansGrohe, Grohe, Moen, Delta, & Toto). These fixtures reduce gpm or ‘gallons per minute while using technology in such a way that doesn’t hinder the comfort or convenience of the user, but maintains responsible conservation.
spring 2009
• Appliances: ‘Energy Star’ rated (Kitchen Aid refrigeration and dishwashers) and other energy efficient appliances. For example, a Sub Zero refrigerator has dual refrigeration- controlled by two compressors so that each operates with minimal energy consumption. Microprocessor controls ensure constant and accurate temperatures.
Green Transportation “there are countless other ways that we try to promote environmentally-friendly green living, from recycling programs at each property to encouraging employees to walk or bike to work where possible to cut down on car emissions,” adds Carlins. “Because of our location, residents are able to walk to almost everything – errands, work, shopping, dining – just about everything that downtown Chicago has to offer and keeping fit at the same time,” he also points out. magellan also utilizes a propane-powered courtesy shuttle to provide visitors with a motorized tour of lakeshore east. another eco-friendly service that is also efficient and economical is i-go, a membership car-sharing service that provides members with access to a vehicle on an hourly
basis as part of the magellan rewards program. Carlins notes that i-go cars are also low-emission vehicles so that car-sharing helps ease traffic congestion and helps reduce pollution.
Preview of the Future the iconic $4 billion lakeshore east mixed-use development incorporates all the elements of a traditional city community, a lifestyle center that includes homes, retail, recreational opportunities and amenities such as the lush award-winning 6acre public park and a planned elementary school. lakeshore east is viewed as a preview of the future, a neighborhood where people can live, work, shop, eat and pursue whatever interests them without having to get into a car. its master plan allows for the construction of up to 4,950 residences, the park, 2.2 million gross square feet of commercial space, 1,500 hotel rooms, 400,000 square feet of retail space and a proposed elementary school.
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Complete and Underway residential developments at lakeshore east currently include six completed and occupied buildings. they include the 29-story lancaster, the community’s first condominium building with 209 homes; the shoreham, a 46-story apartment tower with 548 residences; the regatta, a 44-story condominium building with 325 units; the Chandler; a 35-story condominium building with 304 condo homes; 340 on the park, a 62-story condominium tower with 344 units and the 51-story the tides, the community’s second rental property with 607 luxury units now accepting applications. Construction is progressing on the 82-story aqua, which will be the first high-rise in the city designed uniquely to combine condominiums, rental apartments, hotel and retail spaces. the first phase of the parkhomes at lakeshore east, an enclave of 25 gracious townhomes, is also under construction. a diverse retail component of the community already includes a Fifth third Bank facility and Café rom gourmet coffee shop. $
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spring 2009
ChiCagoland Building & environments
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• The second biggest cost item for residential buildings was for automatic sprinklers, at an average cost of $64,000 per building, when such a system was required. Sprinklers were only required in 11 buildings, and they were proposed typically as an alternative to upgrading the fire-rated enclosure of storage rooms or other areas required to be enclosed or separated by fire-rated construction.
TABLE 3: Average Cost of Common Recommendations per Building
from page 11
Major Findings of Schirmer Engineering Survey: • Of the 222 buildings evaluated, 195 were residential and 27 were commercial. • Of the 222 buildings evaluated, only 13 Residential and 3 Commercial Buildings received an initial passing score. • The majority of the buildings evaluated were constructed between 1920 and 1929 (64 buildings) or between 1960 and 1969 (61 buildings). • Only 5 buildings required sprinklers throughout in order to pass; all were commercial buildings and 4 of the 5 were built prior to 1926. • 86% of the buildings surveyed lacked a voice communication system, not surprising given that this is a new requirement for existing high-rise buildings. • The average cost of remediation work for residential buildings was estimated to be $183,000 per building. • For residential buildings, the average cost of compliance was estimated to be $1,800 per dwelling unit, or $9,600 per story.
Residential Buildings Category Cost Communication System $131,123 • Sprinklers The most(when common deficiency – and required) $64,167 the Doors single biggest cost item$45,983 for remeFire diationDetection work – was for the $35,465 voice comSmoke munication system, with an average Enclosure Requirements $28,179 cost of $131,000 per residential buildElevators $23,129 ing, when such a system was required. Door Hardware $22,812 Emergency Lighting $22,033 Egress $13,826 Penetrations $9,169 HVAC $6,890 Access Panel $5,448
TABLE 4: Average Cost per Building Age Group All
<1920
1920-1939 No buildings built in '40s 1950-1959
1960-1969
1970-1979
1980-1989
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
Total per Unit per # of Stories Total per Unit per # of Stories Total per Unit per # of Stories Total per Unit per # of Stories Total per Unit per # of Stories Total per Unit per # of Stories Total per Unit per # of Stories
Residential $182,926 $1,804 $9,606 $87,601 $2,795 $7,167 $240,725 $3,618 $15,717 $124,397 $1,128 $7,324 $179,662 $771 $6,623 $185,183 $924 $6,811 $165,900 $2,604 $17,114
• The second most common deficiency noted was problems associated with fire doors. Recommendations typically included a requirement to have the fire rating of the existing doors verified by an approved testing laboratory or to have the doors replaced with new fire rated doors. The doors were typically exit stair doors (which are required under the Ordinance to be at least 1-hour fire rated), or doors to storage rooms, trash rooms, or in walls separating other occupancies such as garages.
Common Problems Not surprisingly, a majority of the deficiencies noted in the evaluations are related to improving the fire containment / compartmentation features of the building, the most critical of them related to protecting vertical openings such as exit stairs, trash chutes, elevator hoistways and mechanical shafts. Common problems included lack of fire rated doors, use of non-fire rated access panels into shafts, trash chute doors that would not close, broken door closers, and unprotected penetrations of shaft walls by cables, pipes and/or ducts. A number of residential buildings were evaluated that had floor levels open between each other without proper fire separations. Also, secondary exit routes from dwelling units in a number of buildings were configured with the rear dwelling unit exit access door opening directly into a stairway, (without an intermediate corridor), and the doors were not one-hour fire rated. In some cases these doors included ordinary glass vision panels, which provide little resistance to fire spread. Also a common deficiency, and critical to providing adequate protection, is the lack of or inadequate fire-rated walls and floors enclosing hazardous areas such
spring 2009
as storage rooms, trash collection rooms, and boiler/furnace rooms. Similar violations were found with fire-rated walls required to separate other occupancies from the residential portions of the building, such as parking garages and various mercantile occupancies. A number of buildings were found to have corridor doors without self-closers (which are required). In regards to corridor doors, the use of existing “panel” type corridor doors (doors that are made up of a number of thin wood panels), while not required to be replaced, provide only 5minutes or less of fire resistance. Buildings having this type of corridor door are strongly encouraged to replace them with 1-3/4 inch solid wood doors or 20-minute fire rated doors. Similarly, use of glass transoms in corridor walls, which provides little or no fire resistance, should also be considered for upgrading or removal. Another common problem observed in many buildings were fire doors that needed maintenance or repair, such as doors that did not close properly, either
non-functioning latching hardware or none provided, non-functioning selfclosers or none provided, or the doors were warped or out of alignment and would not fully close. Also, it was common to find fire-rated walls and floors enclosing hazardous rooms with unprotected penetrations for cables, conduits, pipes, or ducts. In an even worse scenario, some buildings were found with non-enclosed and unprotected storage rooms opening directly into exit stair enclosures, a serious exposure to people attempting to exit the building. These various types of deficiencies, many of them common, some unique, are the types of problems that the Life Safety Evaluation hoped to identify. By requiring a licensed engineer or architect to perform the LSE, City Officials have ensured that a qualified professional will look at and report on each and every non-sprinklered high-rise building in the City. Apartment and condominium building owners are encouraged to verify your building’s fire safety and complete your LSE today.
Conclusion The High-rise Life Safety Ordinance is intended to provide occupants of Chicago’s high-rise buildings a reasonable level of safety, without requiring excessive expenditures. It was shown that for existing commercial buildings, automatic sprinklers were the primary means to achieve that fire safety goal. However, for Chicago’s residential buildings, an alternative approach was used, relying on the built-in compartmentation features normally provided in such occupancies and the high fire resistance requirements for structural elements long required by the Chicago Building Code. In order to ensure that the compartmentation features of these existing residential high-rise buildings have been maintained and provide the necessary minimum level of protection, the Life Safety Evaluation is required to be performed by a licensed architect or professional engineer who knows what to look for. The Life Safety Evaluations were due to be submitted to
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ChiCagoland Building & environments
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the City no later than Jan. 1, 2006. The owner of a building not passing the LSE had to also include in the LSE evaluation a plan to upgrade the building so that it will pass the LSE. A 7-year deadline was established to allow sufficient time to budget for and implement the necessary upgrades, with completion of all work required by January 1, 2012. Those buildings that have not completed their LSEs are now risking fines and penalties that could potentially be more than the total cost of the fire safety improvements required to bring these
buildings up to Code. Given the relatively low cost to conduct a Life Safety Evaluation (very low cost compared to the potential fines and penalties), there is no good reason not to have the LSE completed and submitted to the City as soon as possible. For additional information on the Chicago High-Rise Life Safety Ordinance, visit the Buildings Department website at egov.cityofchicago.org/buildings and click on the Life Safety Ordinance icon. Just before going to press with this article, the Chicago Fire Prevention
Bureau (CFPB), in cooperation with BOMA, gave a presentation on the current status of the High-Rise Life Safety Ordinance and the pending deadlines. We learned that there are no plans to roll back this ordinance or to change any of the deadlines. However, a concern raised by the audience had to do with the issue of the Department of Buildings approvals of the LSEs. It appears that some building owners are not moving forward with their LSE upgrade work as they are under the impression that their LSE submittals must first be approved by the City. At the presentation, CFPB stated that they believe that building owners should not be waiting for City approvals, but rather they should rely on the signed and sealed report of the licensed architect or engineer performing the LSE to be sufficient for them to move forward with their required upgrades. This is, we believe, a reasonable interpretation. If and when the City approves the LSEs, the approvals will most likely be to determine compliance with the required procedures, as they will have no first hand knowledge of the conditions at each of these buildings, but instead are relying on the professionals conducting the LSEs to correctly identify the issues and provide an appropriate remediation plan. In the next issue, we will discuss high-rise voice communication systems voice communication systems, what the high-rise ordinance requires, and what other factors should be considered when designing and contracting for the installation of these systems. Lastly, as the down turn in the economy has had a significant impact on building construction, now is a good time to start contracting for any required fire safety improvements. Contractors are looking for work, so competitive bids should be to a building ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advantage right now. Waiting to 2010 or 2011, just before the compliance deadline, will most likely cause contractor prices to rise as demand for their services increases. $ References: Ref. [1], NFPA 550, Guide to the Fire Safety Concepts Tree, 2007 Edition.
28 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
spring 2009
ANSI APPROVAL OF NATIONAL GREEN BUILDING STANDARD
WEGMAN & LONCO SEMINAR
the national green Building standard for all residential construction work including singlefamily homes, apartments and condos, land development and remodeling and renovation was approved on January 29, 2009 by the american national standards institute (ansi). the approval signals a new era for the nation’s builders, remodelers and developers and also provides an extra measure of reassurance for home buyers, said Joe robson, a home builder in tulsa, okla., and Chairman of the national association of home Builders (nahB). “the national green Building standard is now the first and only green building rating system approved by ansi, making it the benchmark for green homes,” said ron Jones, who chaired the consensus committee charged with developing the standard. “the standard provides home builders and remodelers with a much more expansive thirdparty rating system that they can use to achieve green certification under nahBgreen and the national green Building Certification program,” said mike luzier, Ceo of the nahB research Center. the research Center provides certification for nahBgreen projects, which until now have only included single-family homes. “Consumers are
on February 18th, lonCo inc. and r.C. Wegman held the first of a series of seminars. the first seminar was on the topic of Wind energy and was attended by nearly 30 professionals. the program featured experts from manufacturing and government present material on their specific turbines and current/pending legislation and financial incentives. speakers included Bill epp, p.e. and s.e. of lonco, inc., emmit george of eltrictechmidwest distributor for aerovironment (av) architectural Wind avX1000 turbines, William o'donnell of entegrity Wind systems inc., Wayne hartel, Bureau of energy and recycling – illinois department of Commerce and mark Baum of r.C. Wegman. overall, the presenters lectured on how to further your green initiatives, producing clean, wind energy and at the same time reduce energy costs. the second seminar will repeat the Wind energy seminar again soon. if you would like an invitation to the upcoming seminars please contact Carol Ksiazek, at cksiazek@lonco.com.
looking for authentic, verifiable green building practices, and now they’ll find them with a true industry consensus standard for residential green building,” luzier said. the standard defines what green practices can be incorporated into residential development and construction and how homeowners can operate and maintain their green homes. But the national green Building standard also provides for flexibility - allowing home builders and home buyers to make green choices based on climate and geography as well as style preferences and budget. as part of the stringent process required by ansi, nahB and the international Code Council gathered a fully inclusive and representative consensus committee composed of a broad spectrum of builders, architects, product manufacturers, regulators and environmental experts. the work of the consensus committee was administered by the nahB research Center, an ansi accredited standards developer. the consensus committee deliberated the content of the standard for more than a year, held four public hearings and evaluated over 3,000 public comments in the development of the standard.
GRUBB & ELLIS grubb & ellis Company, a leading real estate services and investment firm, announced on in early december of 2008 that shawn p. mobley, executive vice president, managing director, of the Chicago offices has been promoted to oversee the entire midwest region. mobley, 41, joined grubb & ellis in 2005 as managing director of the company’s Chicago offices. in addition to having responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Chicago offices, he will also oversee the detroit and Cleveland offices, as well as its 16 affiliate offices throughout the midwest. the announcement was made by Jack van Berkel, president, real estate services. mobley earned a bachelor’s degree from the university of arizona in tucson and a master of Business administration from the university of Chicago. he is active in many industry and civic organizations, including Corenet, national association of industrial and office properties and the university of Chicago Booth school of Business. mobley is also a frequent speaker at
BMRA ANNUAL CONFERENCE-DECON ‘09 local real estate events, and currently serves on the economic advisors panel for the City of Chicago department of planning and development. grubb & ellis Company also announced the addition of Jenna nelson to the company’s Chicago-area offices as vice president and senior project manager. according to tom Fioretti, managing director of project management for grubb & ellis’ Chicago-area offices, nelson will be responsible for the management of construction, tenant improvement and relocation projects for grubb & ellis clients in need of project management services. nelson joins grubb & ellis from Freedomroads/Camping World, where she was director of design and construction for the company’s over 100 rv dealerships and Camping World stores. she began her career in real estate as a designer/project manager for Whitney architects inc. nelson holds a bachelor’s degree in interior architecture from the university of Wisconsin – stevens point.
FIRST INDUSTRIAL First industrial realty trust inc. recently announced as their new Ceo the former chief executive of equity residential. Bruce W. duncan, who was Ceo of equity residential from 2002 to 2005, replaces W. ed tyler, First industrial’s interim Ceo since october, when Ceo michael Brennan recently resigned. mr. tyler, a director, was named non-executive chairman of First industrial, a Chicago-based real estate investment trust. mr. tyler replaces Jay h. shidler, who had been chairman since the reit was formed in 1993. mr. shidler remains a director.
spring 2009
a reit veteran, mr. duncan, had previously served as chairman of starwood hotels & resorts Worldwide inc. since 2005. he was the hotel reit’s Ceo for about five months in 2007 during a difficult transition period for starwood. Between 1978 and 1994, mr. duncan rose through the ranks at Chicago-based investment firm JmB realty Corp., where he became president and co-Ceo of JmB institutional realty Corp. From 1995 to 2000, mr. duncan was chairman and Ceo of Canada-based Cadillac Fairview Corp., a publicly held owner/developer of retail and office properties.
the Building materials reuse association recently announced the 2009 international Conference on deconstruction, Building materials reuse, and Construction and demolition materials recycling. the conference will be held on april 28,29 and 30 at the university of illinois-Chicago Campus. the conference is designed to showcase the state of knowledge in building deconstruction, materials reuse, & recycling. For more information on conference details, registration and abstract submissions, please visit http://www.bmra.org/events/conference.
HABITAT COMPANY habitat Co. has promoted mark segal to president and Ceo, replacing valerie Jarrett, who left the Chicago-based company for a job in the obama administration. mr. segal, 44, has been habitat’s chief operating officer since 2007, about five years after joining the firm as general counsel. habitat Company is an apartment developer and manager that oversees more than 23,000 units and has 1200 employees. habitat’s major downtown properties include Kingsbury plaza, a 420-unit apartment tower at 520 n. Kingsbury st. completed in 2007, and Columbus plaza, a 532-unit building at 233 e. Wacker drive. it also manages several downtown condo buildings, including lake point tower at 505 n. lake shore drive and public housing projects in Chicago, atlanta and st. louis. mr. segal has both a law degree and mBa from northwestern university. he spent about 12 years practicing corporate and real estate law, leaving law firm schwartz Cooper in 2002 to join habitat, a client of mr. segal’s for nine years.
ChiCagoland Building & environments
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