Chicagoland buildings & environments spring 2014

CHICAGOLAND

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Buildings Environments Âť SPRING 2014

Green Thinking at City Colleges of Chicago The Weather and Your Landscape Concealed Carry Law Impacts Building Managers & Owners Chicago Continues Green Leadership Replacement or Restoration of Riser Pipes?

Weiss Recognized for Sustainable Building

table of contents

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COVER STORY

02 Green Thinking at City Colleges of Chicago

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09 Chicago Continues Green Leadership

By Michael C. Davids 12 Industry Happenings

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By Ryan Shpritz 14 Editor’s Message 15 Service Directory THE LANDSCAPE BUYER

19 The Weather and Your Landscape

By James A. Fizzell S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

22 Replacement or Restoration of Riser Pipes?

By Justin Maier, P.E., R.S. 26 Weiss Recognized for Sustainable Building

By Kimberly Ecker

Cover Story Photo courtesy of City Colleges of Chicago

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By M i c h a e l c . D av i D s

Green Thinking at City Colleges of Chicago the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) is the largest community college system in illinois and one of the largest in the nation, with 5,700 faculty and staff serving 115,000 students annually at seven colleges and six satellite sites city-wide.

CCC is in the midst of a Reinvention, a collaborative effort to review and revise programs and practices to ensure students leave CCC college- and career-ready. Its internationally-renowned College to Careers initiative partners faculty and staff with industry-leading companies prepare Chicagoans for careers in growing fields.

The City Colleges of Chicago includes seven colleges: Richard J. Daley College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Harry S Truman College, Harold Washington College and Wilbur Wright College. The system also oversees the Washburne Culinary Institute, the French Pastry School, two restaurants, two cafes, five Child Development Centers, the Workforce Academy, the public broadcast station WYCC-TV Channel 20 and radio station WKKC-FM 89.3.

From its leaders and facility managers to faculty and students, City Colleges has in recent years worked to embed “Green Thinking” at the center of its operations.

[ A rendering of the new Malcolm X College and School of Health Sciences, now under construction on Chicago’s Near West Side

Those sustained efforts are already paying off.

“From an environmental, economic and educational standpoint, strengthening City Colleges’ sustainability efforts is the right thing to do,” states Chancellor Cheryl Hyman. “For example, making our energy use and buildings more efficient reduces the institution’s carbon footprint, saves taxpayer dollars and demonstrates to our students what sustainability looks like in practice.”

Energy Efficiency Efforts During the last 10 years, City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) has achieved significant reductions in natural gas and electricity use through the successful adoption of energy-saving tools. By taking advantage of a new tool (Energy Connect) that gives realtime access to energy usage statistics at all

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of its colleges and satellite sites, CCC staff have gained a more sophisticated understanding of energy use patterns and acted to identify and realize efficiencies.

“This work is ongoing, and we anticipate continued energy savings as our building management techniques become even more sophisticated,” says John Sugrue, Associate Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services for CCC. “From 2003 to 2012, CCC’s annual energy usage has decreased by 600,000 Therms of natural gas and 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity,” adds Sugrue, who has been with CCC since 2002. Over the last 10 years, these energy savings averaged $1.2 million a year from the 2003 baseline, saving the City Colleges, and thus taxpayers, significant money. The institution has seen ten straight years of improvements in this area. Savings during the last three years have been part of a $51 million reduction in operations costs that have been redirected to the classroom.

To help achieve these energy efficiencies, CCC has used Energy Performance Contracting to automate its buildings and reduce energy usage. Building Automation Systems (BAS), lighting retrofits, equipment upgrades, occupancy sensors and variable speed controllers are paid for with future energy savings. These upgrades have given CCC building engineers the tools they need to track energy usage in real time, find faulty equipment and set schedules to reduce energy usage during

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[ New Malcolm X Campus [ Chicago Mayor Emanuel with CCC Chancellor Hyman at Olive-Harvey TDL Groundbreaking

unoccupied periods.

Purchasing energy as a District, rather than as separate colleges, has helped CCC realize cost savings. Locking in long-term rates for electricity and having the flexibility to choose when to lock in natural gas rates for the coming winter has proven to be a cost reducing formula. Additionally, City Colleges of Chicago has used aggregated energy purchasing to increase renewable electricity procurement by ten

percentage points above the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard. During FY2014, 18 percent of CCC’s electricity will be produced from renewable energy sources.

CCC has also found cost-savings by participating in a voluntary curtailment program that reduces electricity usage system-wide if the grid becomes unstable.

Participating in this program has saved more than $600,000 since 2008 and has

helped CCC find opportunities for daily reduction in energy usage. CCC has also begun piloting an energy usage program at two colleges and a satellite location that allows the institution to target savings throughout the year.

Additionally, CCC is now working with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) at the University of Illinois to audit its energy use. SEDAC started working with CCC in January 2012 to

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[ City Colleges students participate in Earth Day 2013 at Wright College retro-commission Kennedy-King College. CCC estimates that $150,000 in annual savings is possible at KennedyKing through the introduction of targeted energy scheduling techniques.

“City Colleges has always been mindful of energy use at its facilities throughout the city,” says Diane Minor, Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services, who oversees all of CCC’s facilities.

“We decided to hire our first-ever Sustainability Manager in 2012 to strengthen our commitment to sustainable practices and facilities. We continue to see energy efficiencies and savings and are now incorporating sustainable practices into all of our decisions.”

A New Sustainability Manager John Brophy is City Colleges’ first Sustainability Manager. Since being hired in November 2012, he has among other things facilitated energy savings and recycling initiatives, prepared applications to support the institution’s sustainability efforts and helped to plan facilities, classes

Y John Brophy, Sustainability Manager at CCC

Y New Olive-Harvey TDL Campus

and clubs that strengthen City Colleges’ commitment to sustainability. He is CoChair of U.S. Green Building Council’s Illinois Higher Education Sub-Committee.

Prior to joining City Colleges, Brophy worked for Green Roof Solutions, a leading distributer of American-made green roofing components. He has also worked for I-Go Car Sharing and was a consultant with AllCell Technologies. He holds a mas-

ter’s degree in environmental management and sustainability from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s in political science from Boston College.

Brophy’s role focuses on bringing sustainable practices into the operations of each of the City Colleges—and that includes major construction and renovation projects now underway across the city as part of CCC’s $524 million, five-year capi-

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tal plan. The system’s two high-profile capital projects now under construction are both targeting LEED certification, and they’ve both been designed with input from College to Careers industry partners, who are helping to better align City Colleges’ curricula to workplace demands. Since the launch of College to Careers in December 2011, more than 100 industry partners have joined the effort by committing to review curricula and offer City Colleges students and graduates first pass at internships and job opportunities.

The New Malcolm X College and School of Health Sciences Mayor Rahm Emanuel and City Colleges Chancellor Cheryl Hyman broke ground October 2nd on the new Malcolm X College and School of Health Sciences.

Designed with input from healthcare industry partners, the $251 million campus will serve as the hub of the College to Careers healthcare programs to prepare students for the 84,000 healthcare jobs

Y City Colleges Chancellor Cheryl Hyman

Y Shown here is the Chicago Divvy Bike sharing program location at Truman College

expected to come to the region over the next decade. Slated to be completed in late 2015, the new campus will host students beginning in January 2016.

“Here in Chicago, we are revolutionizing the educational model by linking highly-specialized, technical curriculums with the needs of our local employers — essentially creating a direct bridge between students and jobs of the 21st century economy,” Emanuel said.

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Located adjacent to the Illinois Medical District and across the street from the current college at Jackson Blvd. and Damen Ave., the 544,000 square foot new Malcolm X College, which is targeting LEED gold certification, will be able to accommodate approximately 22,000 students, 6,000 more than today. (See sidebar on the new campus’ sustainable design elements.) It will include a virtual hospital; skill and simulations labs; state-of-the-art

spring 2014

cover story

technology; a new conference facility with capacity for 1,300; and a student-accessible green roof that will be irrigated by a rainwater harvesting system. (Another CCC campus, Kennedy-King College, has a green roof spread across three different buildings, one of the largest such roofs in Chicago.)

“Today we lay the foundation for a best-in-class learning environment that will be the pride of the West Side and all of Chicago,” Chancellor Hyman said at the groundbreaking. “The new Malcolm X College will be a centerpiece of our efforts to ensure Chicagoans are prepared for careers in growing fields like healthcare.”

Moody Nolan, the nation’s largest African-American architectural firm, serves as the project’s Architect of Record. Due to this project, the firm is expanding its twoyear-old Chicago office from nine to 14 staff members.

City Colleges of Chicago is committed to ensuring that the construction project benefits Chicagoans, especially the surrounding Near West side community.

spring 2014

Of the approximately 950 jobs being created through the project, the vast majority will go to Chicagoans and up to 120 are being made available to qualified applicants residing in communities surrounding the college. To help people become qualified, last year it launched a Community Jobs Program that offers local residents free construction trade training at the Dawson Technical Institute (DTI), one of City Colleges’ satellite sites. More than 30 community members have already been hired. Program participants helped with site preparation throughout last fall, while studying carpentry or concrete masonry at DTI. The community college system has also worked to ensure that the construction process is an opportunity for good environmental stewardship. As an example, Brophy notes a decision made by CCC Senior Project Manager Dominick Owens before site preparation began for the new Malcolm X College. “We moved 140 trees from Malcolm X’s parking lot, where the new campus will be, and re-planted them

at the Daley College campus.”

Olive-Harvey College’s New TDL Center Chancellor Hyman was joined again

by Mayor Emanuel on October 28th last year to break ground on the nearly $45 million Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (TDL) Center at Olive-Harvey College, a first-of-its kind facility in the state of Illinois that will prepare students for the more than 110,000 TDL jobs coming to the region over the next decade in this sector.

“This new facility will supplement Olive-Harvey College’s transportation, distribution, and logistics-focused curriculum to prepare students for a career in an indemand, high growth industry,” Emanuel said. Current TDL programs at City Colleges include logistics (including warehousing and supply chain management), commercial driver training, forklift and public chauffeur courses (taxi and limousine).

The new TDL Center is funded by $31.6 million from the State of Illinois and $13.2 million from City Colleges and

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is being administered by the Illinois Capital Development Board, which oversees state-funded, non-road construction projects.

“The TDL Center will employ numerous skilled laborers during construction and prepare thousands of students for high paying, in demand careers once it is complete,” Governor Quinn said. “In addition, we will seek a LEED Silver designation for the center, which is a testament to the building’s energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly design.” (See sidebar on the TDL Center’s sustainable design elements.)

Scheduled to open in 2015, the 103,000 square foot Olive-Harvey facility will include automotive and diesel engine laboratories, an engine dynamometer, classrooms, simulated driving facilities, a testing center and vehicle bays, among other features. To give students hands-on training in the industry, the facility will also feature a high-tech central store warehouse environment that will act as a supply chain hub to efficiently provide office supplies to City Colleges’ seven campuses, six satellites and District Office.

“The central store will provide a practical, real-world training ground for students by integrating operations with the curriculum by teaching students how to take orders, how to fill them, and how to do so in a timely manner,” Chancellor Hyman said. “Our students will learn the key concepts of logistics and supply chain management needs in an organization that is the largest community college system in the state with thousands of employees and students.”

FGM Architects and construction management firm Gilbane Building Company have been contracted for the project.

Demolition of temporary buildings on the construction site was completed late last year and construction continues throughout this year.

Sustainable Building Renovations and Improvements Beyond brand-new facilities, City Colleges’ current five-year capital plan also includes improvements at all of its existing campuses and their satellites. For example, CCC is currently renovating the roof of Wright College’s library building, an iconic pyramidal structure designed by ar-

chitect Bertrand Goldberg. Goettsch Partners has designed a façade replacement for the library that doubles the insulation of the building envelope from R-10 to R-20 and brings in natural daylight through the addition of a skylight above the central atrium space. This renovation project, which began in Fall 2013 and is being overseen by Associate Director of Facilities Planning Robert Tamillo, is true to the original Bertrand Goldberg pyramid profile while providing a much-needed energy efficiency and performance update. It will be completed in 2014.

Also this year, following the replacement of Daley College’s roof a large array of solar panels will be installed at this campus on Chicago’s Southwest side. This project, supported by a $245,000 grant from the Illinois Green Economy Network, will generate 130,000 kilowatt hours/year, saving CCC $13,000 per year.

Costs associated with the project will pay themselves back in about 18 years. (There are also small arrays of solar panels at Olive-Harvey and Wright Colleges.)

“We look for opportunities to incorporate sustainable initiatives into our ongoing building maintenance and operations as well as our capital projects,” Brophy says.

For example, CCC is upgrading its HVAC systems, with the commissioning of energy-efficient HVAC systems at Kennedy-King College scheduled for the current fiscal year. Window replacements are being done district-wide, with OliveHarvey being the most recent campus to receive this upgrade. Contracts are being finalized with architects and plans are underway to replace windows at Truman and Daley Colleges.

CCC facilities have also installed LED lights as part of the energy efficiency efforts. These have mostly been installed in exit sign lighting in all buildings, although an LED project to upgrade the lighting in Truman College’s parking garage was also completed successfully in late 2012. New LED fixtures throughout the garage have reduced energy use by more than 70 percent, saving approximately $41,000 annually.

Greening Student Habits Recycling is an important part of City Colleges’ sustainability efforts, and an area

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that Brophy is focused on. “Recent improvements in this area have been very exciting,” Brophy says. The institution transitioned to a single-stream recycling effort in late 2012 and early 2013, and recycling rates since then have increased. By the third quarter of 2013, “the rate had increased to nearly 20 percent,” Brophy noted.

At Malcolm X College, a “Green Committee” worked with engineering/ maintenance staff to implement the new recycling system and “has been instrumental in educating students and staff of the importance of recycling,” Brophy said.

But CCC is also trying to reduce its stream of recyclable materials. Three of the colleges, Dawson Technical Institute and the District Office have in recent months installed water bottle refilling stations, which encourage students and staff to avoid using plastic bottles.

CCC also encourages students to take advantage of more sustainable transit options. The U-Pass program provides unlimited rides on city trains and buses and Divvy bike-sharing stations are located within a few blocks of most campuses. Additionally, Wright College has an electric car charging station; Brophy hopes to add more stations down the road.

The new TDL Center at Olive-Harvey will have a car-charging station when it’s completed, and the college plans on using two electric-powered step vans for intercampus deliveries. “Students in the logistics program at Olive-Harvey will get hands-on use of electric vehicles as part of their classes,” Brophy adds.

Environmental Programs and Practices at Wright College While Malcolm X and Olive-Harvey colleges should soon have LEED-certified facilities, Wright College is frequently recognized for its commitment to sustainability. It achieved Bronze Level status from the Illinois Governor’s Campus Sustainability Compact in October 2012 and been named a Tree Campus USA by Arbor Day Foundation for three years in a row.

The college, on Chicago’s northwest side, has had an ongoing relationship with the U.S. Green Building Council (both national and the Illinois chapter) for a number of years. It has coordinated with the continued on page 24 »

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s p e c i a l f e at u r e

By M i c h a e l c . D av i D s

Chicago Continues Green Leadership the City of Chicago continues to demonstrate leadership in its sustainable programs and initiatives.

A

s part of “sustainable Chicago 2015” in september of 2014, Chicago set 24 goals across seven sustainability categories including: economic development and job creation; energy efficiency and clean energy; transportation options; water and wastewater; parks, open spaces, and healthy food; waste and recycling; and climate change. since that time, the City has marked several key accomplishments and one third of those goals are delivering ahead of schedule.

Sustainable Chicago 2015 Report mayor rahm emanuel takes pride in reporting significant progress in the first year of the sustainable Chicago 2015 action agenda. “the City of Chicago is a world-leader in fostering sustainability and has proven without question that environmen-

tally friendly practices and good business practices go hand in hand,” said emanuel. “ensuring Chicago’s long-term livability and competitiveness is an ongoing effort and we will continue to foster economic growth and job opportunities as we improve sustainability throughout the city.” in support of a global approach to sustainability, Chicago is the first major city to report under the global reporting initiative (gri) sustainability reporting Framework, an international standard for sustainability reporting. over 14,000 gri-compliant reports by organizations in 92 countries have been produced, primarily by private corporations. “around the world, cities and local government are responsible for managing a wide range of sustainability impacts,” mike Wallace, director of gri’s us & Canadian Focal point said. “through

transparent and consistent sustainability reporting, organizations can help attract investment and drive innovation. We applaud the leadership example Chicago sets with this precedent setting step in sustainability.”

Building on Chicago’s legacy of planning, action, and leadership on climate and environmental issues, the sustainable Chicago 2015 action agenda offers a concrete roadmap for the City and its residents to make Chicago an even more prosperous, healthy, and vibrant place to live and work. all advancements are currently on track to make significant advances to save taxpayer dollars, pollution reduction and climate change. the City has marked several key accomplishments this year. the final two coal-fired power plants in Chicago closed and the City Council passed an important energy benchmarking ordinance. the energy Benchmarking ordinance was initially met with resistance from some owners of large buildings (those over 50,000 square feet are

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covered by this ordinance), particularly condo buildings, but now seems to be more widely accepted. the City added an additional 338,000 households to the blue cart recycling program, replaced 75 miles of water mains, reduced the permitting time for residential solar projects to one day, and electricity for residents and small business was procured free of coal. Chicago continues to make sizeable investments in green infrastructure, access to parks and healthy food, and transit options. residents and businesses have also played a key role as Chicago’s divvy bike sharing program and retrofit Chicago continue to grow in success and popularity.

Finally the City launched the greencorps Chicago Youth program which provided 600 sustainability related summer jobs to Cps high school students, becoming the largest city run green career training program in the country. “under mayor emanuel’s leadership the sustainable Chicago 2015 action agenda has been broadly successful in just the first year,” said Karen Weigert, Chief sustainability officer. “the City of Chicago has made significant progress in all seven categories. We look forward to continuing our work and meeting all 24 set goals by 2015.” sustainable Chicago 2015’s seven categories are the result of a stakeholder engagement process which began with mayor emanuel’s inaugural transition team. Chicago’s sustainability goals represent input from city leaders and community members from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. in total, the mayor’s office staff convened over one hundred organizations in a series of conversations, discussing community needs, materiality, and strategy over the short, medium, and longer term. the first year progress report also identifies specific areas where Chicago residents, families and communities can drive the impact of the City’s sustainability goals. resident engagement is absolutely essential if Chicago is to achieve its ambitious sus-

tainability aspirations. the City welcomes your questions, feedback, and success stories related to sustainable Chicago 2015. please contact the City at sustainability@cityofchicago.org. several other recent environmental successes for Chicago that have occurred recently are the City’s new electricity supply agreement and it’s “solar express” program.

Reduced Costs and Cleaner Energy in New Electricity Supply Agreement for City Facilities in november of 2013, mayor emanuel and the department of Fleet and Facility management (2Fm) selected Constellation newenergy, an exelon company, as the electricity supplier for the City of Chicago’s facility and street lighting accounts under a 25 month contract. the new rates secured under the agreement deliver a 2 percent discount from the City’s last electricity contract despite escalating regional transmission and other tariff costs, amounting to a reduction in City electricity costs of $1.2 million over two years. the new agreement also builds upon the zero coal municipal electricity aggregation agreement approved by the City Council in december 2012 by eliminating coal from the electricity sourced for the supply of City facilities, removing the equivalent of 221,000 cars from the road. “through the success of the municipal aggregation program, the City of Chicago has decreased its carbon footprint while delivering savings to residents and small businesses,” said mayor emanuel.

Constellation was selected from a pool of Qualified Bidders that represent some of the most sophisticated and financially stable suppliers in the region. Constellation was selected after three planned pricing events yielded successive reductions in bidder pricing. Constellation was the lowprice bidder in all categories, and has agreed to meet all City contract terms and conditions. the actual rate and price weighted average price for the

fixed facility portion is $42.67mWh (annualized). the new savings will apply to the 2Fm portfolio which includes all City owned facilities that 2Fm manages, including all City libraries, police and fire stations as well as buildings like the Cultural Center, City hall, harold Washington library, o’hare and midway airports. 2Fm manages 450 facilities and all of the City’s street and traffic lights.

“We’re pleased to partner with the City of Chicago on an agreement that will lower costs, enhance sustainability and advance Chicago’s clean energy leadership,” said louis J. hutchinson iii, vice president, public sector, Constellation. in addition to capturing historically low market prices, the contract also requires Constellation to source the electricity from non-coal fueled assets. By eliminating coal and transitioning to cleaner energy produced by nuclear and natural gas generation facilities based in illinois, the City will reduce its carbon emissions by 99.5 percent and remove the equivalent of 221,000 cars from the road. the City’s agreement with Constellation also complies with illinois renewable portfolio standards. meeting this no-coal supply requirement does not add any cost to the City, and will contribute to meeting the City’s Climate action plan goals. mayor emanuel announced this new agreement while accepting the “Carbon Crusher” award at a national municipal electricity aggregation conference hosted by lean energy us. lean energy, a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to the accelerated expansion and competitive success of clean energy municipal aggregations nationwide, provided this award to the City for setting new standards for clean energy with its municipal aggregation agreement with integrys energy services. the City’s aggregation program, approved by the City Council in december 2012, provides approximately 750,000 customers with electricity while saving Chicago residents and small businesses $26 million since February 2013 on their electricity bills. this agreement, the largest of its kind in the country, has earned national recognition for eliminating coal from the City’s portfolio and containing 5 percent wind energy sourced from illinois wind farms, doubling what customers received via Comed.

Chicago Solar Express to Drive Solar Development and Create Green Jobs in october of 2013, Chicago mayor rahm emanuel, the environmental law and policy Center and West monroe partners announced the launch of Chicago solar express, a streamlined and progressive permitting, zoning and interconnec-

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

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s p e c i a l f e at u r e

Choose the Solar Experts!

Under the updated policy,

tion process established for residents and developers seeking to place solar installations on residential and commercial projects. this project intends to help transform Chicago into a national leader in rooftop solar panels. these improvements will slash wait times for solar permits for small installations from 30 days to one day, cut fees by 25 percent and simplify and streamline key processes. the City of Chicago and its partners developed these reforms with the assistance of a $750,000 “sunshot” grant received from the department of energy (doe). “the City of Chicago continues to take action and lead the way in solar innovation,” said mayor emanuel. “the Chicago solar express will make it easier for residents and developers to make long term investments that will improve the performance of their buildings while creating a more sustainable environment for the residents of Chicago. driving solar development and creating green job opportunities will establish a bright future for Chicagoans.” the City and its partners received the sunshot grant as part of the doe sunshot rooftop solar Challenge. this is a national initiative to make solar energy cost competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade. this grant provided additional funding for mayor emanuel’s environmental action agenda, sustainable Chicago 2015. the deployment of such initiatives is a critical part of economic development in Chicago and integral to the City’s goal of becoming the greenest and most sustainable city in america. the Chicago solar express reforms support a vibrant solar sector while helping to mitigate the City’s carbon footprint. the City will launch an expedited permitting process where qualifying projects can receive same-day permit approval at reduced fees. the permitting process was cut from 30 days to one day and the fee schedule decreased from $375 to $275, a 25 percent reduction. along with the expedited permitting process, Chicago’s department of Buildings has published new guidelines, outlining clear steps for general contractors to follow for designing both small and large systems to City standards, making requirements clearer and making doing business with the City easier. significantly lowering the cost to install large roof top solar arrays, the new guidelines

update structural design requirements to recognize improvements in the design of ballasted systems over recent years. other reforms include simplifying the zoning process by providing policy interpretation and design guidance for all solar types in all sectors and streamlining the process for connecting solar panels to the electric grid. this partnership will introduce the online interconnection and net metering enrollment, a tool to be launched by Comed by year-end that will allow applicants to submit, track, and pay for applications through an online platform. this will enable applicants to connect their solar generator to the grid and receive credit on their bills for producing their own electricity. the new policy introduces flexibility for projects covered by the sustainable development policy, a set of requirements for large developments going through the planned development process or receiving City financial assistance. launched in 2004, the sustainable development policy requires large developments to install vegetated green roofs and pursue leed certification, and has been instrumental in helping make Chicago the north american leader in green roofs with 359 vegetated roofs covering 5.5 million square feet and leed certified buildings numbering 405 totaling 114 million square feet. under the updated policy, these projects can swap a portion of their green roof requirement for solar panels, giving property owners additional flexibility while maintaining high standards for project sustainability in Chicago. to spread the word of the reforms to accelerate solar, the Chicago department of Buildings held training sessions to educate contractors and architects on the new processes. the events were well received with nearly 100 design and construction professionals in attendance. to make access to solar for Chicagoans as easy as possible, the City has launched a new website for solar, a one-stop shop with a step-by-step process for getting rooftop solar approved, installed, and connected, as quickly and efficiently as possible: solar.cityofchicago.org. $

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IREM Sustainability Program

The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®) has launched a sustainability program open to the industry at large to help property managers and other practitioners strive for efficient buildings, enhance financial performance and property values, and make a positive environmental impact. Called IREM® Sustainability, the program has a dedicated website – www.iremsustainability.com – and consists of three integrated parts: a web-based platform, a challenge competition, and a new property– level certification.

Commenting on the initiative, IREM® President Joseph Greenblatt, CPM®, said: “IREM is committed to serving all industry practitioners with products, programs and services that help them address their day-to-day challenges while adding value to their companies and the properties they manage.”

ROLE OF WEB-BASED PLATFORM The web-based platform, powered by Green Per Square Foot, provides energy and sustainability management tools that give practitioners free and immediate access to a wealth of information that makes it easy for them to take action. They can profile their buildings, find savings opportunities, and connect with qualified contractors, product manufacturers, and projects finance companies that can assist them in moving forward. As well, the platform greatly simplifies the process of implementing

efficiency projects and helps educate and engage owners and tenants to get by-in.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FRIENDLY CHALLENGE The IREM® Sustainable Property Challenge is a friendly, cost-free competition that calls for the completion of activities for individual properties drawn from seven main categories: education and outreach; energy; water conservation; materials and waste; interiors, exteriors and purchasing; transportation; and tenant engagement. Completing activities earns points, and points move participants up a leader board. The Challenge runs through September 2014, with winners to be announced during IREM’s Fall Leadership Conference in October 2014. Top performers will be rewarded with prizes and industry-wide publicity.

EARNING THE CERTIFICATION The IREM® Certified Sustainable Property certification provides a pragmatic path to efficient operations for property managers and other industry professionals and is accessible to most properties. To get certified and distinguish a property as a high-performance building, participants must complete core activities in the Sustainable Property Challenge program. Properties that have already obtained LEED EB or NC certification are eligible to “fast track” about half of the core activities.

THE IREM® SUSTAINABILITY DIFFERENCE Simply stated, IREM® Sustainability enables participants to: Gain a thorough understanding of the numerous opportunities available to achieve profitable sustainability for a particular property and its interior spaces – including a financial/cost-benefit analysis.

Engage and educate owners and tenants to understand the NPV-positive sustainability opportunities available to them.

Achieve a minimal level of property performance across a variety of categories – e.g. energy, water, and waste – and put plans in place to make incremental improvements over time. www.iremsustainability.com contains detailed information on all components of the sustainability program, including applying for certification.

Superior Reserve Engineering & Consulting

Industry veterans Nik Clark and Justin J Maier, PE, RS have launched Superior Reserve Engineering & Consulting. Clark was formerly Director of Client Services and Maier was Senior Engineer at a leading reserve study company. Both have over 25 years of experience performing reserve and transition studies for Chicagoland corporations, community associations and other buildings.

Chicago Building Commissioner In December 2013, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel named Felicia Davis Commissioner of the Department of Buildings. In this role, she will be responsible for enforcing the building code; continuing efforts to modernize the department, including reducing permitting times; fostering economic opportunities by working with developers and builders on economic development projects; and promoting public safety.

“Beginning with her role in my transition, Felicia has been an invaluable member of my team, bringing to public service a unique skill set that has served Chicago and our residents well” said Mayor Emanuel. “Felicia’s diverse background as a police officer, college administrator, and in community engagement will continue to serve her well as she takes on this new role to enhance service efficiency, promote safety, and advance economic development throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods.”

The Department of Buildings is a 285-person department with an annual budget of $32 million. It enforces the building code by reviewing and issuing permits for construction projects, performing inspections of buildings under construction as well as annual inspections of systems and structures. Building inspectors also respond to more than 50,000

residential complaints each year, ranging from unsecured, vacant properties to complaints from tenants about inadequate heat in rental buildings. The Department is also responsible for working with high-rise owners on compliance with the Life Safety Ordinance and addressing vacant buildings in communities across the City.

“The Department of Buildings plays a vital role in public safety and neighborhood protection, and it also has a responsibility to help review plans and issue permits efficiently to allow new developments to revitalize neighborhoods, create new jobs, and expand economic activity,” said Davis. “I am honored to continue serving the Mayor in this new role.”

Davis was the first Executive Director of the Office of Public Engagement, which serves as a direct link between the Mayor’s Office, City departments, Sister Agencies, external partners and communities across the City to make city government and its resources more accessible.

With a professional career spanning more

than 20 years, Davis has worked in a wide range of environments with diverse populations and built strong networks and partnerships along the way. Prior to leading the Office of Public Engagement, Davis was the First Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Emanuel from May 2011 to June 2012. She served as a member of the Mayoral Transition Team and Chaired the Public Safety Committee in 2011.

Before returning to public service, Davis served as the Vice President of Administration at Kendall College. Prior to Kendall College, she served the Chicago Police Department, with distinction, for 10 years. During her tenure at CPD, she worked in many roles, completing her law enforcement career as a Detective in the Department’s Violent Crimes section, where she also oversaw the Community Policing Strategies.

Davis is a Chicago native and life-long resident; she resides on the City’s South Side with her family.

Like us on Facebook/mcdmedia and view past issues at www.chicagolandbuildingsandenvironments.com

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

spring 2014

BuilDings & environMents

Greening the Heartland Conference

The BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland 2014 Conference will take place September 29-October 1, 2014, at North America’s largest LEED Gold-certified hotel, the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza. Now in its second year, the event is sponsored by Building Design+Construction magazine, AIA Chicago, the Builders Association, USGBC-Illinois, and the Greening the Heartland Committee.

The BUILDINGChicago track will provide a wide variety of AIA-accredited education through its BD+C University. The Greening the Heartland track will explore interdependent elements of sustainability across the Midwest region. These sessions will advance the USGBC mission and enhance the knowledge of the green building community and interested parties about design, construction, and operational practices and promote greening building best practices. The intent of all USGBC education programs is to help those involved in LEED and green building projects to learn from others’ best practices, challenges and successes and move the green building market and movement forward. For more information visit www.greeningtheheartland.squarespace.com

USGBC Illinois

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) announced its 2014 Board of Directors.

2014 BOARD OFFICERS Chair: Ari Kobb, Siemens Industry, Inc. Vice Chair: Jenny Carney, YR&G Treasurer: Jason Westrope, DMA Secretary: Jamie Peters, EnergySavvy Ex-Officio Chair: Ben Bischmann, Jones Lang LaSalle 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Stuart Brodsky, Cannon Design Abigail Corso, CNT Energy Anthony Corso, Architect Michael Dudek, Larson & Darby Group Sandra Henry, ComEd Smart Ideas Sharon Krohn, Sharon Krohn Consulting Kimberly Lombardozzi, KAL Sustainability Consulting Adam McMillen, Energy Center of Wisconsin Marya Ryan, City of Urbana Rachel Scheu, CNT Energy 2014 EXTENDED BOARD John Albrecht, ChicagoGreen, LLC Jeff Gavin, Gavo Communications Candis Queen, Careerbuilder.com Brian Imus, Executive Director

spring 2014

B y r ya n h . s h p r i t z , K o v i t z s h i f r i n n e s B i t

The Firearm Concealed Carry Act Impacts Property Owners & Managers on July 9, 2013, illinois passed the Firearms Concealed Carry act (“act”) (public act 0980063), making it lawful for citizens to carry a concealed loaded handgun in the state.

T

he law was passed partly in response to the united states supreme Court case, mcdonald v. City of Chicago, wherein the Court made the City’s restrictive handgun ordinance unenforceable and essentially held that the second amendment of the u.s. Constitution protects the right to keep handguns in the home for self-defense. the Court left many questions unanswered, and acknowledged that it may result in extensive and expensive litigation to answer those questions. in just the first quarter of 2014, illinois issued thousands of concealed carry licenses, which has prompted owners of property and managers to consider their position on the issue.

Overview the act provides that a person may carry a concealed handgun in illinois, so long as they are properly licensed. the act also provides twentythree (23) exceptions to where a concealed handgun is prohibited at all times (which broadly excludes public and government property, public playgrounds, schools, and hospitals). the act allows owners of private real property to prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns on the property under his control, so long as signage is posted in compliance with the act. not to confuse the issue, if the owner of property prohibits the carrying of concealed handguns on their property, there is a parking lot exception, and applies where a duly licensed individual under the act shall not be prohibited from i) carrying a concealed handgun into a parking area within the prohibited property, and may store it in a case within the vehicle; and ii) carrying a concealed handgun in the immediate area surrounding his vehicle for purposes of storing or retrieving the handgun from the trunk, so long as it is unloaded. the ability to restrict concealed weapons is limited to the building and common areas and does not extend to parking areas. of interest, a stun gun, taser, machine gun, rifle or paintball gun is not considered a handgun, and therefore, is not permitted to be carried as a concealed weapon.

Signage a prohibition on the carrying of concealed weapons on premises must be documented with appropriate signage conspicuously at each entrance to the building, and as may otherwise be required by law. specifically, a 4 x 6 inch signage must be clearly and conspicuously posted, as approved by the illinois state police, at the

entrance of the property and each building therein. the illinois state police website provides a template of the approved sign for use and can be found at www.isp.state.il.us/firearms/ccw.

Non-Residential Building Owners as referenced, owners of private real property may restrict the carrying of concealed handguns. this also applies to those business owners who own their own buildings and desire to restrict the carrying of concealed handguns in the workplace, as the threshold requirement to prohibit concealed handguns is ownership of real property. Business owners that do not own their own building, i.e. a law firm that leases office space in a large downtown building owned by a California pension fund, must rely on the property owner to determine whether a policy shall be adopted. otherwise, the business owner cannot enforce such a restriction. those business owners of restaurants and bars that derive more than 50% of the establishment’s gross receipts within the prior three months from the sale of alcohol prohibits any person from carrying a concealed handgun into the building or parking area. the business owner should be aware of this requirement and strictly enforce this prohibition, as the act provides that if a business owner knowingly fails to prohibit concealed handguns on premises, the owner can be subject to substantial fines. appropriate signage is required and other remedial steps may need to be taken.

Condominium Associations as for Condominium associations, the right to restrict the carrying of concealed handguns lies with the Board of directors. While a Condominium association is owned by its owners as tenants in common, its elected Board of directors constitutes the representative body of the owners of the condominium building. the Board of directors can adopt rules and regulations for the association that restrict the right to carry concealed handguns in certain areas of the association. as the Board represents the owners collectively, the determination of the proper restriction for an association may be more difficult than for a business owner or landlord. in a Condominium association, some owners may feel their safety has been compromised by the passage of this law, as they live in close proximity of their neighbors, while other owners may feel safer. some owners may feel that the new law highlights the right to bear arms and increase the likelihood that an owner continued on page 21

ChiCagoland Buildings & environments

13

BuilDings & environMents

Chicagoland

&

Buildings Environments Volume 9, No. 2, Spring 2014

A

fter such a brutal “old school” Chicago type of winter, most of us are more than ready for a change of seasons. it’s easy to

THE

welcome in longer days, warmer temperatures, and increased sunshine

Landscape La Lan ndscape scape BBuyer uyer uyer Volume 20, No. 2, Spring 2014

that typically come with spring time in Chicagoland. this past winter here has been trying in many ways – bitter blasts of cold, frequent snow events, frozen and burst water pipes, roof and water damage from ice dams, and the list goes on. a number of weather

» editor’s message

records related to extreme winter conditions were set this year causing snow removal and utility costs to soar along with a host of other unexpected expenses. although it’s not always possible, we’ll have to make adjustments in some other areas to somehow meet overall budget requirements for our Editor & Publisher Michael C. Davids Vice President Sherri Iandolo Art Director Rick Dykhuis

property(s). our cover story for this issue of CBe features City Colleges of Chicago and highlights their recent and current green building programs and initiatives. schools and Colleges are one of the leading forces of the green movement and City Colleges’ efforts offer a great example of how building owners and managers can help our environment. our second story is a feature on Chicago’s continued leadership in sustainability. among the initiatives covered in this article is Chicago’s sustainability 2015 report, a new electricity supply

Contributing Writers James A. Fizzell, Cathy Walker, David Mack Circulation & Administration Carol Iandolo, Mary Knoll, Arlene Wold

agreement for city facilities, and the Chicago solar express program. a summary of how recent legislation regarding how firearm concealed carry laws will impact various types of building owners, managers, and residents or tenants is featured in this issue. it seems as though many questions on this subject remain unanswered and more laws will likely be needed to provide further guidance on this controversial topic. the recent accomplishments of sustainable homebuilders Weiss Building and development

The Landscape Buyer and Chicagoland Building &

are profiled in this edition. an article on whether to replace or restore riser pipes in buildings is also

Environments is published Winter/Spring and

offered in this issue.

Summer/Autumn by MCD Media, as informational and edu-

Jim Fizzell’s regular feature (in the landscape Buyer) on the weather and your landscape

cational tools for the buyers, users and providers of green in-

provides some helpful tips on preparing your outdoor landscape for the coming season and what

dustry products and services. For editorial, advertising and subscription information contact: 935 Curtiss, Suite 5, Downers Grove, IL 60515, 630-932-5551 or 630-663-0333. Fax: 630-6630339 or 630-932-5553.

CIRCULATION: The Landscape Buyer and Chicagoland Building & Environments maintains a circulation of 8,500.

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

to watch for in terms of winter damage on your plants. our regular industry happenings columns along with highlights from a variety of special events can also be found in this issue.

We will continue to explore many other green building trends and initiatives in coming issues of CBe. if you have a green story to share please let us know. if your property has a special need or challenge, mCd media produces special events that feature a variety of resources and experts to assist you. many members of our CBe advisory board will attend these events. there are also key resources from our sister publication –Condo lifestyles available at our special events. please consider attending our upcoming mCd golf invitational on July 18 and our luncheon at arlington international racecourse in late summer. You can view photos from various events we produce and others we participate in at the mcd media Facebook page.

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

thanks to the many new subscribers that have found our publications useful and informative.

tion may be reproduced whatsoever without written con-

special thanks to the firms, associations and groups that are authorized distributors of Chicagoland

sent from the publisher.

Buildings and environments, the landscape Buyer and Condo lifestyles. those of you who are interested in becoming subscribers can obtain subscription information on our website

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.

It is issued with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal or accounting services. If legal advice is required, the services of a competent professional

www.chicagolandbuildingsandenvironments.com as we continue to grow our publications and programs, we encourage you to make your environment and your community all it can be. $ Michael C. Davids Editor and Publisher

should be sought.

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

spring 2014

Professional Services Directory

ATJ’s Home Improvement 630-432-3238

ACCOUNTANTS

ASPHALT

Frost, Ruttenberg & Rothblatt, P.C. 847-282-6340

FM&J Asphalt Paving, Inc. 708-544-6700 / 630-279-0303

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Contact: Steve Silberman, CPA

ARCHITECTS / ENGINEERS Coder Taylor Associates 847-382-4100

Concrete & Asphalt Paving / Pavers & Color Stamping Drainage Systems & Sewer Repairs Sealcoating, Crack Filling & Striping www.fmjasphalt.com

Hard Surface Solutions 815-344-8400 / 630-916-8005 www.hsshardsurfacesolutions.com

Architects • Research • Engineering Specifications • Reserve Studies

ATTORNEYS

Full Circle Architects, LLC (847) 564-0884

Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit (847) 537-0500

(847) 564-3880 fax Daniel Baigelman, AIA dan@fullcirclearchitects.com Capital Improvements • Reserve Studies • Engineering Reports

www.fullcirclearchitects.com 85Revere Drive, Suite B, Northbrook, IL 60062

J. Hershey Architecture (847) 549-5900 “Autographed with Excellence” www.jhersheyarchitecture.com

Superior Reserve Engineering and Consultants (888) 688-4560 www.superiorreserve.com

www.ksnlaw.com Advising and Consulting with Business Owners, Community Association Law & Collection Services, Construction Defects, Real Estate Assessed Valuation Reduction, Litigation, Commercial Restructuring, Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights, Real Estate, Business ,Estate Planning

contact: Rob Sternberg RSternberg@ksnlaw.com

Energy Benchmarking Studies & Compliance Services, Reserve Studies, Specifications www.waldmaneng.com

www.atjshomeimprovement.com

Bral Restoration, LLC 847-839-1100 Masonry and Concrete Restoration www.bralrestoration.com

Dakota Evans Restoration, Inc. 847-439-5367 Tuckpointing ~ Masonry Repairs Waterproofing ~ Terra Cotta Repairs Caulking & Sealants ~ Structual Repairs Cleaning ~ Balcony Restoration Concrete Restoration www.dakotaevans.com

FM&J Services, Inc. (708) 544-2219 General Maintenance & Handyman Services General Carpentry, Flooring, Painting, Concrete & Tuckpointing Parking Lot Maintenance, Striping, Sealcoating Catch Basin & Sewer Repairs Custom Chimney Caps, Flashing, Gutters & Metal Roofs Waterproofing & Pressure Washing

www.fmj-services.com

Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC 312-476-7556 Howard Dakoff / hdakoff@lplegal.com www.lplegal.com

Riggio/Boron Ltd. A Total Exterior Facade Restoration Company

847-531-5700 www.RiggioBoron.net

BUSINESS EXPENSE REDUCTION

BANKING Community Advantage 847-304-5940

Oceans Cost Containment (312) 925-3047

Loans, Reserve Investments & Lock Box Services

info@oceanscc.com | www.oceanscc.com

A W I N T R U S T C O M PA N Y

Waldman Engineering 630-922-3000

BUILDING RESTORATION & MAINTENANCE

www.communityadvantage.com

Mutual of Omaha Bank Community Association Banking 312-209-2623 HOA Banking - Internet Cash Management HOA Loans - Online Payment Systems Dedicated Customer Service tom.engblom@mutualofomahabank.com www.mutualof omahabank.com

CONCRETE Hard Surface Solutions 815-344-8400 / 630-916-8005 Concrete Flatwork Specialists / Asphalt Paving Curbs & Driveways / Sidewalks Footings &Foundations / Colored & Stamped Concrete Aggregate Finish Concrete www.hsshardsurfacesolutions.com

FOR DISPLAY OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INFO, CALL (630) 202-3006 spring 2014

ChiCagoland Buildings & environments

15

CONCRETE RAISING

ENERGY USE/BENCHMARKING

FIRE SAFETY & PROTECTION

Viking Concrete Raising & Repair, Inc. (847) 808-7400

Waldman Engineering 630-922-3000

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

Raising Settled Concrete throughout Chicagoland wwwWeCanRaiseIt.com

DOORS Woodland Windows & Doors 630-529-Door (3667) Window and Related Masonry Interior & Exterior Doors | Siding & Gutters www.woodlandwindows.com

Energy Benchmarking Studies & Compliance Services, Reserve Studies, Specifications www.waldmaneng.com

Westside Mechanical Group 630-618-0608 / 630-369-6990 Serving the Tri-State Area Since 1970 Contact: Jackie Loftis * jloftis@wsmech.com www.wsmech.com

FIRE / FLOOD RESTORATION DUCT CLEANING Airways Systems, Inc. (630) 595-4242 Cleaning: Air / Laundry / Toilet Exhaust Ducts, Coils, Trash Chutes, Parking Garages. Also Air Filters, Belts www.airwayssystems.com

Brouwer Bros. Services

www.firesprinklerassoc.org

EMCOR Services Team Mechanical (847) 229-7600 www.emcortmi.com

GREEN SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS Oceans Energy 312-870-0580 info@oceansenergy.com | www.oceansenergy.com

All types of Environmental Cleaning.

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

GROUP BENEFITS

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

Oceans Advisors 312-508-3032

www.bbsteamatic.com

info@oceansadvisors.com | www.oceansadvisors.com

QCI Restoration 847-891-2929 | 866-832-6724

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

Brouwer Bros. Services All types of Environmental Cleaning.

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

www.QCIrestoration.com

ELEVATORS/CONSULTANTS Smart Elevators Co. (630) 544-6800

The Restoration Group, LLC 630-870-0658

www.balancedenvironments.com

www.trgrestore.com

HVAC

FIRE SAFETY & PROTECTION

Althoff Industries 312.332.5700

(630) 544-6829 FAX

smartin@smartelevators.com

www.smartelevators.com

Mechanical - Plumbing - Electrical - Building Automation

Suburban Elevator Co. 847-743-6200 Simplifying Vertical Transportation Contact: Max Molinaro www.suburbanelevator.com

ENERGY GAS & ELECTRIC

Balanced Environments 847-395-7120 630-916-8005

ConTech MSI Co. 847-483-3803 Fire Detection & Signaling Systems Fire Alarm Systems Chicago Life Safety Evaluation Solutions Security Systems/CCTV Card Access Systems www.contechco.com

Oceans Energy 312-870-0580 info@oceanscc.com | www.oceanscc.com

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

www.althoffind.com

EMCOR Services Team Mechanical (847) 229-7600 www.emcortmi.com

Westside Mechanical Group 630-618-0608 / 630-369-6990 Serving the Tri-State Area Since 1970 Contact: Jackie Loftis * jloftis@wsmech.com www.wsmech.com

spring 2014

HVAC CLEANING Brouwer Bros. Services (800) CLEAN54 www.bbsteamatic.com

INSURANCE Hollinger Services, Inc. 847-437-2184

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS Kinsella Landscape, LLC 708-371-0830 Creating Lifestyles from the Outside In...™ www.kinsellalandscape.com

www.landscapeconcepts.com

Interior & Exterior Painting Wallcoverings • Decorating • Remodeling Drywall Repair • Decks & Staining Tile Installation • Metal & Iron Painting www.certacommercial.com tivanov@certapro.com

Mesirow Financial 312-595-8135

www.sebert.com

info@oceansadvisors.com www.oceansadvisors.com

JANITORIAL SERVICE

PARKING GARAGE CLEANING

LAWN CARE Spring Green Professional Lawn & Tree Care 800-830-5914 www.spring-green.com

MOLD REMEDIATION Brouwer Bros. Services

DJR Cleaning Enterprises (773) 640-1588 “GREEN” Janitorial & Sanitizing Services for hospitality businesses, health care providers and commercial, industrial and multi-unit residential buildings.

David Melone www.djrcleaning.com

www.aaapaintco.com

CertaPro Painters of the North Shore (847) 287-2642

Sebert Landscaping, Inc. 630-497-1000

Oceans Advisors 312-508-3032

AAA Painting Contractors, Inc. 630-231-8350

Landscape Concepts Management 847-223-3800

www.HollingerInsurance.com

Nancy Ayers

PAINTERS

All types of Environmental Cleaning.

800 CLEAN54 (253-2654) 708-396-1447 (24-hour service line) QCI Restoration 847-891-2929 866-832-6724 www.QCIrestoration.com

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS

Extreme Power Cleaning Inc. (630) 532-0345 www.ExtremePowerCleaning.com info@extremepowercleaning.com

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

FM&J Asphalt Paving, Inc. 708-544-6700 / 630-279-0303 Concrete & Asphalt Paving / Pavers & Color Stamping Drainage Systems & Sewer Repairs Sealcoating, Crack Filling & Striping www.fmjasphalt.com

Alan Horticultural Services, Inc. 630-739-0205

NUISANCE WILDLIFE

PEST MANAGEMENT SERVICES

www.alanhorticultural.com

Smithereen Pest Management Services 847-647-0010

Smithereen Pest Management Services 800-336-3500

Balanced Environments 847-395-7120 630-916-8005 www.balancedenvironmentsinc.com

ILT Vignocchi 847-487-5200

www.smithereen.com

OFFICE RENTAL/LEASING The Alter Group 630-620-3600 www.altergroup.com

www.ILYTVignocchi.com

FOR DISPLAY OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INFO, CALL (630) 202-3006 spring 2014

ChiCagoland Buildings & environments

17

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

ROOFING

SNOW REMOVAL

ACM Community Management 630-620-1133

B.T. Lakeside Roofing 630-628-0093

Hard Surface Solutions 815-344-8400 / 630-916-8005

www.acmweb.com

www.lakeroof.com

www.hsshardsurfacesolutions.com

Alter Asset Management 630-620-3600

ProTop Roofing 847-559-9119

SOLAR ENERGY

www.altergroup.com

We’re Here When You Need Us! www.protoproofing.com

Baum Property Management, LTD. 630-897-0500

CSR Roofing Contractors 708-848-9119

www.solarserviceinc.com

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

TRADE GROUPS / NON-PROFIT

S&D Roofing Service (630) 279-6600

TREE CARE & PRESERVATION

www.baumprop.com

Caruso Management Group, Inc. Residential & Commercial

630-717-7188

Solar Service, Inc. 847-677-0950

ACTHA Association of Condominium, Townhome and Homeowners Associations

312-987-1906 actha@actha.org / www.actha.org

www.carusomanagementgroup.com

DK Condo 312-346-8600 Managing Chicago’s Finest Homes www.dkcondo.com

FirstService Residential 312-335-1950 Contact Asa Sherwood or Elena Lugo www.fsresidential.com

100,000 roofs installed TEAR OFFS • SHINGLES • FLAT ROOFS Our experience & technical know-how gets the job done right the first time!

Serving the area since 1963 www.sdroofing.com | sales@sdroofing.com

Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc. 630-293-5444 Tree Pruning, Tree Removal, Cable Bracing, Plant Health Care, Tree Planting & Transplanting www.kramertree.com

SHEET METAL [CUSTOM]

WASTE SERVICES/REC YCLING

McGill Management, Inc., AAMC 847-259-1331

J.J. Superior Sheet Metal, Inc. (708) 544-3757

Lakeshore Recycling Services 773-685-8811

www.mcgillmanagement.com

Architectural Sheet Metal Specialists Coping, Counter Flashing & Specialty Copper Work Gutters & Custom Roofing Accessories

www.LakeshoreRecyclingSystems.com

Tairre Management (847) 299-5740

www.jjsuperior.com

WINDOWS/REPLACEMENTS

tsutton@tairremgmt.com

SIDING / RENOVATIONS

Woodland Windows & Doors 630-529-Door (3667)

B.T. Lakeside Roofing 630-628-0093

www.woodlandwindows.com

Legum & Norman, Mid-West (312) 944-2611

www.lakeroof.com

www.lnchicago.com

Vanguard Community Management 847-490-3833 www.vanguardcommunity.com

Woodland Windows & Doors 630-529-Door (3667) www.woodlandwindows.com

FOR DISPLAY OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INFO, CALL (630) 202-3006 18 C h i C a g o l a n d B u i l d i n g s & e n v i r o n m e n t s

spring 2014

the lanDscape Buyer SPRING 2014

By JaMes a. fizzell

The Weather & Your Landscape

A Good Old-Fashioned Chicagoland Winter ... Just What Our Plantings Need after some unusually mild winters, we finally are being treated to a good, oldfashioned, Chicagoland winter, a continuation of the latter part of last winter.

W

hile this might be quite trying for many of us, in contrast to the past few winters, it actually is better for our plantings. And, we also can see the smiles on the faces of those who appreciate snow.

Last Winter

had enough water. They leafed out prolifically. Spring flowers were late, but they lasted a long time because it was cool and there were no storms.

Then the rain stopped, not a good sign. In wet seasons with heavy rains, soil percolation becomes well developed.

When the rain stops, the percolation continues. Instead of rain percolating into the soil, it is replaced by air being sucked into the ground by the descending soil water. The soil dries very rapidly.

Last winter started out mild, conditions to which we had become accustomed over the last few years. By late-January, 2013 there had been no below-zero low temperatures and there had been only 1.5 inches of snow. That was not really the best for our plantings which need the gradual cooling and winter cold for complete dormancy.

The last half of winter 2013 was dominated by a breakdown of the polar ridge that had kept the winter weather bottled up in the arctic. A polar shift to winter arrived with a vengeance in early February, bringing cold and snow to the delight of those contractors who offer snow plowing and removal. Temperatures were mostly below normal. The sudden cold damaged plants, the injury apparent as they leafed out in spring.

As long as the weather was cool, plants showed no sign of the increasing dryness. Mild temperatures continued throughout most of July and August with only a few 90-degree days. The hottest weather actually developed in late August and early September.

By then, trees were dropping leaves, shrubs were losing branches, and gardens without irrigation were hanging. Site managers were scurrying to get water to distressed landscapes. Actually, many site managers and landscape contractors had recognized the situation and were watering.

Last Spring

Native Plants

A few warm spring days suggested a return of the hot, dry conditions of the past two years. However the mild temperatures were quickly supplanted by cool weather. Rains began, raining for 15 straight days in April 2013, and 20 of the 30 days totaling more than 10 inches that month. It rained 15 days in May, and 14 days in June. Total rainfall for the spring season was more than 2 feet.

Plants, parched for years, suddenly

Some landscape buyers have switched to native kinds of plants which developed under these Midwest conditions. Mostly, these plants were unfazed. Native plants are well adapted to the heat, cold, drought, and flooding of Midwest weather.

spring 2014

Last Summer

Last Fall The lack of summer rains was due to the path of the jet stream carrying weather patterns far north, and with them, fronts

that generate system rains. Any rains were of the pop-up variety, not very predictable and not reliable. Most predictions were for a wetter fall.

At the end of September, general rains did begin to develop with passing fronts.

Plants began to recover from the drought.

Fall color and leaf-drop were delayed several weeks by the good weather.

The moisture continued and temperatures gradually dropped with no dramatic swings of heat or cold throughout the fall; whereas, the last few years had experienced unusually warm autumns. The gradual decrease in temperatures was exactly what plantings needed to achieve winter dormancy.

Cold & Snowy Winter Some weather prognosticators, including our weather guru, Greg Soulje, were predicting early-arriving cold and above normal snowfall. For fun we checked The Old Farmer’s Almanac which concurred, saying, “Illinois and surrounding states will have bitter, piercing cold, and snow.” Curiously, the US Weather Service was predicting warmer-than-average temperatures and normal precipitation.

The first sub-zero temperatures arrived the second week of December, and by the end of the month the temperatures had dropped to zero or lower on eight occasions. The cold was interrupted briefly as winter began on December 20 and 21.

A half an inch of rain, and nearly two feet of snow fell during the month. Christmas was white.

Ridging in the West shoved the jet stream way north along the Pacific coast, and then troughing dropped it into this area bringing the storm track and Alberta Clippers directly into the Midwest. With them came multiple snow events followed by severe cold.

ChiCagoland Buildings & environments

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BuilDings & environMents

More Snow and Cold in the New Year The new year began with a bang.

More then a foot of snow fell the first week of January, and several straight days of subzero temperatures arrived for the first time in years. On January 6, the low was minus 20 degrees and the daytime high a stunning 11 degrees below zero. The disorganized polar vortex had migrated to the upper Midwest.

The annual January thaw provided temporary relief with the high of 44 degrees on January 12, but temperatures fell to the below zero a week later. By midJanuary, the polar vortex had made an encore visit. As of this writing, the temperatures have dropped below zero on seventeen nights and stayed below zero as the daily high on six occasions.

Forecast for Spring and Summer Because of his uncanny ability to foresee the weather months in advance, we contacted Meteorologist, Greg Soulje for his take on the rest of the winter, and what we might expect for the Spring and early Summer of 2014.

For a window into the upcoming seasons, forecasters consider the ENSO, (El Nino Southern Oscillation), currently neutral possibly moving either to a weak La Nina or to a weak El Nino; the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, negative, suggesting Midwest snows; the North Atlantic Oscillation, also negative allowing polar cold to escape from the Arctic into the lower 48.

Soulje says, the Polar Vortex will remain displaced through mid-spring. This pattern indicates extended periods of below normal temperatures into very early spring combined with more short periods of much below normal temperatures.

Early to mid-spring will still feature these bouts of cold, but interspersed with short-term warm periods away from the effect of Lake Michigan. Expect more pronounced periods of temperature extremes, both warm and cool, through mid-to-late spring, he said. Higher-than-usual odds favor late-season frosts and freezes.

For the rest of the winter, the precipitation pattern looks increasingly snowier.

The number and frequency of light-tomoderate snow systems versus major storms will continue to push seasonal snow totals to approaching 65 inches across much of Chicagoland by winter’s end.

Odds favor one or two spring snows, too.

As for moisture into mid-spring, the pattern looks awfully wet to Soulje, with above average rainfall, along with the potential extending into late spring with regions of excess wetness developing. Wet

As for moisture into mid-spring, the pattern looks awfully wet to Soulje, with above average rainfall, along

with the potential extending into late spring with regions of excess wetness developing. Wet episodes look to outweigh drier periods. “I’m concerned for a cold and wet summer outlook,” says Soulje.

episodes look to outweigh drier periods.

“I’m concerned for a cold and wet summer outlook,” says Soulje.

Strengthen of the upper air pattern, colder-than-usual air aloft, and any sense of sunshine should be enough to ramp-up severe weather on a more heightened basis this spring, he warns.

Harsh Winter Not All Bad for Plants This kind of winter is actually quite kind to our plantings. The gradual cooling in fall allowed deep dormancy to develop. The coldest weather has been accompanied by heavy snow cover, an excellent insulator. Low-growing plants and buried root systems are well protected from the cold. Digging in some protected locations has uncovered soils that either have never frozen, or have melted beneath the snow. The water from this melting is certainly been beneficial for plants especially evergreens.

Injury to Plants Can Occur The heavy snow has been of concern because of the weight bending down branches. The first inclination is to sweep the snow off. If this is done quickly after the snow falls, it is probably OK. Once frozen, the snow is very difficult to dislodge and frozen branches become quite brittle. Most branches bent down by the weight of the snow will return to their normal positions once the snow melts.

Snow removal can injure plantings.

Salting of pavements and salt spray will damage unprotected lawns, flowers, and shrubs. Make sure the screens set up to protect plantings from salt are still in place. Plowing often scuffs turfgrass. As soon as the ground is dry enough, repair damage to lawns.

Damaged tree and shrub branches can be trimmed up in spring, but don’t be too hasty. Many “dead” branches, especially on evergreens such as yews or boxwood may not be dead. Wait until woody plants begin to grow so you can see what is actually dead before doing any heavy pruning. As plants come out of the winter, the result of last summer’s dry weather also may show up as dead branches in trees and shrubs.

Native plants have been relatively unaffected by the severe cold or by last year’s drought. In the last few years, the mild weather resulted in more and more non-

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

native kinds being introduced. Without added protection, the survival of these plantings may be in jeopardy.

Plants that spend most of the winter well-protected should be unscathed. Occasionally, although the plants themselves are completely hardy, the flower buds are not. Some flowering shrubs such as forsythia may bloom only where the buds were buried under snow.

Animal Damage Snow makes it difficult for wildlife to find food. Deer will forage plants they normally avoid. Rabbits can stand on the snow and graze above the protective guards installed last fall. Mice are happy to have the snow, developing extensive trails under it to their favorite feeding places. These trails will show up in lawns when the snow melts, but will soon disappear when the grass begins growing.

Clipping off tips of stems will not permanently damage plants. Girdling will!

Both mice and rabbits will readily girdle plants. Check the protective guards and raise them if necessary. Destroy the mouse trails by walking down the snow around plants. Set out mouse baits such as Gladiator.

Deer repellant’s work sometimes and may not work at all other times. The only sure protection from deer is to install fences, or to install wire cages over the plants. Cages should be constructed with hardware cloth over re-bar frames. Obviously, this is expensive and only used to protect high-value plants.

Be Ready for Early Good Weather If the cool wet spring does materialize, it may result in delayed cleanup, and planting. Be ready to take advantage of any early good weather to get a head start. Meet with your maintenance contractor to make sure you both are on the same page. A little planning now can make a big difference when time is short and too many things needing doing.

Landscape & Tree professionals are well informed and able to help with your planning. Its worth the effort to find vendor resources that are as interested as you are in keeping your plantings attractive, and making sure your landscaping and trees are an asset to your property(s). $

spring 2014

l e g i s l at i v e u p Dat e

from page 13

Firearm Conceal Carry Act will bring a firearm into an association situation. however, the mere passage of this law does not increase that likelihood.

Based upon the intent of the act, and the concerns that associations may have related to concealed handguns, a Board may consider the adoption of rules and regulations governing concealed weapons. While an owner is permitted to carry a concealed weapon during the ingress and egress from the building, a Board may restrict the carrying of a concealed weapon in public, social events and meetings. For example, an association may consider restricting the carrying of concealed weapons in meetings, violation hearings, laundry rooms, elections, swimming pools and other recreational facilities. upon adoption of such rule, a sign incorporating the foregoing shall be placed conspicuously at each entrance to the building, and as may be required by law. the same parking lot exception applies to any restrictions in the rules and regulations by the Board of the condominium association.

Apartments living in close proximity to your neighbors lends itself to unique issues. gun issues are highlighted in an apartment complex. landlords and managers must decide whether to prohibit the car-

spring 2014

rying of concealed firearms on their property. the safety of its tenants is of primary concern to a landlord. Whether concealed handguns increase or decrease the safety of its residents is at the crux of this determination. landlords can prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns in the common areas and building, excluding the parking lot areas, by posting signage in compliance with the act. of greater debate is whether a landlord can prohibit the keeping of handguns within an apartment. this highlights the constitutional issue of an individual’s right to keep a weapon in his home. While the common opinion is that a landlord may prohibit a tenant from keeping a handgun within his apartment, it is not definitively settled in the law. if a landlord is considering extending the ban beyond the common areas of the building and into an apartment, a lawyer should be consulted to discuss the potential pitfalls of such a policy. at a minimum, any prohibition on the carrying of concealed handguns in the apartment premises should be documented in the lease between the landlord and tenant.

cealed. property owners that are willing to consider the installation of x-ray machines, security guards or scanners will be able to enforce their own policies. For many property owners, such measures are not financially possible, or are inconsistent with the character of the building. in any case, the policies that an owner adopts should consider a procedure to address the suspicion of an owner carrying a concealed weapon in violation of the stated policies. regardless of the methods necessary to enforce a restriction on concealed handguns, liability may be the primary consideration. although other states laws absolve the owner from liability if certain procedures are followed to prohibit concealed weapons, illinois law does not do so. owners may have risk of liability if some injury were to occur where concealed handguns were prohibited, yet the owner failed to implement proper procedures to enforce the prohibition. the owner should consult both his insurance company and attorney for advice on how to minimize the risk of liability in this situation.

Enforcement

Laws Will Evolve

property owners should consider the challenges in enforcing any restrictions associated with the carrying of concealed handguns. as the carrying of concealed weapons is permitted, it may be difficult to detect them, as they are con-

as the laws evolve related to the carrying of concealed weapons, the application to property owners in illinois will become clearer. $

ChiCagoland Buildings & environments

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BuilDings & environMents

B y J u s t i n J . M a i e r , p e , r s - s u p e r i o r r e s e r v e e n g i n e e r i n g & c o n s u lt i n g

Replacement or Restoration of Water Riser Pipes? one of the greatest capital project expenses a building will incur is the cost to replace the water riser pipes.

R

eplacement typically occurs at a pipe age of 70 years and beyond.

The time of replacement differs as a result of the pipe composition (thickness and material), chemicals the local government source uses to treat the domestic water and chemicals used by the building to treat the building heating and cooling water. Ongoing and extensive leaks, and low water pressure are indications the pipes are nearing the end of their useful lives and will require replacement. One can expect that the original construction of the building did not account for a replacement event 70 years into the future.

Therefore, replacement projects are expensive and disruptive, and require wall openings to access the pipes. This can be especially problematic for homeowners with ornate wall finishes, and expensive kitchen and bathroom cabinets, countertops and fixtures.

“In-place” pipe restoration technology is an alternative to pipe replacement.

This process involves the following: » drying the pipe interior » sandblasting away interior pipe occlusions » applying an epoxy lining to the interior surfaces of the pipes Restoration technology can extend the useful life of an aged pipe system.

This would defer a complete pipe system replacement. Restoration does not require wall openings to access the pipes.

Experience indicates that few high rise buildings have opted for pipe restoration rather than replacement. Reviews of bid costs indicate that the cost of restoration is nearly equivalent to the cost of replacement, excluding the cost for replacement of room finishes. Contractors must enter each unit to determine the extent of work necessary to restore the finishes once pipe replacement is complete.

Therefore, room finishes are typically excluded from bid costs. These costs are added in once the project is underway.

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

Proper total replacement should ensure an additional 70 years of pipe use.

Restoration companies may provide warranties on the liners. However, the liners have not been in use long enough in this type of building application to determine their useful life. Extensive usage can only determine if an epoxy liner installed in aged pipes has an equivalent useful life of a new pipe system.

When evaluating pipe replacement or restoration, consider the following: » Excluding the cost of finishes, is restoration or total replacement more economical? » What types of finishes will require restoration when replacing the pipes? » Who is responsible for the cost to restore the finishes in the homes?

Buildings with relatively simple finishes should consider pipe replacement.

Buildings with ornate finishes might consider pipe restoration to defer eventual pipe replacement. $

spring 2014

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BuilDings & environMents

[ Students walk to class at Wright College, on Chicago’s Northwest Side

City Colleges » from page 8 organization on a series of continuing education workshops (“Nuts & Bolts - Green Building for Contractors”) for construction professionals. More than 600 professionals have participated in these workshops. Wright also offers a two-week module in LEED as part of one of Wright’s environmental technology program courses, taught by longtime USGBC-IL Education Committee Board member John Albrecht.

In addition, USGBC participates in Wright’s Green Apple Day of Service each year.

Wright’s Environmental Technology program has received an annual award for education by USGBC-IL, and its Building

Energy Technologies program curriculum received a national award from USGBC. The program offers quality, affordable education to building engineers and operations staff requiring certification in energy

monitoring.

David Inman is the Director of Wright’s environmental program at Wright, the mission of which is to provide quality education that prepares students with the knowledge and skills required for technical and managerial positions in the energy efficiency, emergency management, and environmental, health & safety fields.

Inman oversees various academic curricula and staff relating to the college’s sustainability programs. These include associate’s degree and basic certificate programs in environmental technology, and associate’s degree program in emergency management and other basic certificate programs.

S U S TA I N A B L E D E S I G N E L E M E N T S I N C C C ’ S N E W FAC I L I T I E S : NEW MALCOLM X COLLEGE CAMPUS Sustainable Site » reusing existing impervious urban site that qualifies as a Brownfield site. » Close proximity to public transportation, for both buses, elevated train and bike route. » providing bicycle storage; CCC also plans to partner with the City to have a divvy bike-sharing station at building.

Water Efficiency » using low-flow water fixtures to save approximately 33 percent of the potable water versus standard fixtures. » using a Cistern to collect rain water for irrigation of plantings on the roof garden.

Energy and Atmosphere » using roof monitors over large gym spaces and large skylights over the main concourse and circulation. » using enhanced refrigerant management. » pursuing providing a portion of the electricity from renewable sources.

Materials and Resources » exceeding the energy efficiency performance requirements. » utilizing high performance thermally broken curtainwall frames and glass. » utilizing regional and recycled materials. » using FsC Certified Wood products. » requiring the contractor to recycle construction waste, and provide indoor air quality management plan during construction. » using high reflectivity membrane roofing materials » providing extensive green roofs for 25 percent of the roof. » Creating an outdoor plaza on the 3rd floor as part of the green roof that also uses high reflectivity pavers.

Indoor Environmental Quality » using low emitting materials: adhesives, paints, flooring, composite wood. » separating out exhaust for janitors and copy rooms.

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

OLIVE-HARVEY COLLEGE TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS (TDL) CENTER PROJECT Sustainable Site » reusing an existing site that may be considered a Brownfield development » College campus with excellent public transportation access » maximizing open space on the existing campus » stormwater quality and quantity control with the use of rain gardens and bio swales » minimizing the heat island effect with reflective roof and pavement surfaces (exemplary credit since all new pavement is concrete) Water Efficiency » Water efficient landscape design with native and adaptive plantings that do not require irrigation » reducing water usage by at least 35 percent Energy and Atmosphere » optimizing energy performance with a highly efficient building envelope » highly efficient mechanical heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems including the use of an energy recovery wheel. » on-site renewable energy with the use of a transpired solar collector » enhanced commissioning of building and mechanical systems with future and verification Materials and Resources » Construction waste management will recycle a minimum of 75 percent » recycled content for new materials will be a minimum of 20 percent » regional materials will be used for a minimum of 20 percent of new work » Certified wood products will be utilized.

Indoor Environmental Quality » outdoor air delivery will be monitored » the indoor air quality will be managed and measured as part of the construction and prior to occupancy. » low-emitting materials will be used for interior finishes.*

spring 2014

cover story

“Wright College’s award-winning Environmental Technology programs prepare students to chart a more energy-efficient future,” said Inman, who has worked at Wright for nine years and is a former Deputy Commissioner at the Chicago Department of Environment. “Our courses cover everything from how to manage buildings’ energy use efficiently, to weatherization and renewable energies. And with photovoltaic and solar water heating systems and a green roof, among other sustainable practices, the college’s awardwinning campus is itself a learning opportunity.”

One of Wright’s offerings in particular is probably of interest to Chicago building managers: its Building Energy Technologies basic certificate program. That program helps people learn how to comply with the new Chicago Energy Benchmarking Ordinance that City Council approved last year, which requires buildings in excess of 50,000 sq. feet to report energy consumption data.

“As City Colleges works to comply with the new ordinance, the program at Wright is helping other building owners comply using the EPA’s Portfolio Manager monitoring tool,” says Jeremy Gantz, a City Colleges spokesperson. The City of Chicago expects to employ the EPA tool as part of the newly approved building energy use reporting rules.

Building a Greener Future With new energy use tools and a fulltime sustainability manager in place and two new facilities targeting LEED certification on the way, City Colleges is confident it can continue to increase energy efficiencies in the coming years. Its optimism is understandable: the system managed to reduce its overall energy costs by $913,000 in the most recent fiscal year (FY2013), compared to the previous year. Ongoing building energy audits and improved facility management techniques will likely deliver further value to the environment and taxpayers alike.

But City Colleges’ sustainability efforts aren’t only about cost-savings. Brophy hopes they introduce City Colleges students to the importance of everyday habits like recycling and bicycling, as well as less visible institutional practices like energy-monitoring and sustainable procurement. (CCC’s goal is that all purchasing should meet or exceed the EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) guidelines.) To help students learn about all these efforts, earlier this year CCC created a new web resource at ccc.edu/sustainability.

“Ultimately, as a higher educational institution, we’re trying to lead by example,” Brophy says. “City Colleges is committed to being environmentally responsible in our daily operations and our long-term planning. But we’re also trying to help students commit to sustainable habits they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.” $

Had enough of BIG CORPORATE COOKIE CUTTER reserve studies?

spring 2014

ChiCagoland Buildings & environments

25

BuilDings & environMents

B y K i M B e r ly e c K e r

Weiss Recognized for Sustainable Home Building Weiss Building & development llC (WBd) is a Chicagoland homebuilder and general contractor delivering residential projects that are both environmentally sound and aesthetically pleasing.

W

eiss Building & Development believes that customer satisfaction is linked to keeping each client educated and informed about their construction and remodeling process. The company applies extensive performance, health, and building science testing to ensure that all of their projects are third party certified. Weiss Building & Development founder, Brandon Weiss, embraces and applies efficiency-driven, healthy home strategies.

Recent Awards WBD had a milestone year in 2013, earning a total of 12 awards and recognitions, including the 2013 U.S. Green Building Council Illinois (USGBCIL) Home Innovation “Green Home” Emerald Award and the 2013 Department of Energy (DOE) Housing Innovation Grand Award. Additional recognitions awarded to WBD in 2013 are: » The DOE Housing Innovation Award for Systems Built » The DOE Housing Innovation Award for Custom Innovation

» The 2013 Crystal Key Award presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago » The 2013 Green Builder® Home of the Year Award » The 2013 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Master Certified Green Professional of the Year Award » The NAHB Green Award for Single Family Custom Home Project of the Year » Four ICON Awards of Excellence from Northern Illinois Home Builders Association

GreenBuilt Home Tour As a leader in sustainable home building, WBD also orchestrated Chicagoland’s first “GreenBuilt Home Tour,” which featured 16 award-winning, nationally recognized, sustainable Chicago-area homes.

The Lema Passive House, built by WBD, served as the headliner of the GreenBuilt Home Tour, which utilized the highest level of building science, energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

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

“In every project we take on, the longevity of the home and the health and happiness of the occupants are of the utmost importance,” notes Weiss. “We ensure all methods are qualified and quantified, and people really took notice this year. What we’re doing is revolutionizing the way homes are built by consistently assessing and evaluating performance and efficiencies.”

Green Home Emerald Award WBD was recognized with the “Green Home” Emerald Award for the Lema Passive House project - Chicagoland’s first certified Passive House - presented by the USGBC Illinois Chapter. A Passive House refers to the most stringent, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, reducing its ecological footprint. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling. The “Green Home” Emerald Award recognizes outstanding individuals, organizations, corporations, projects and technologies implemented across Illinois, which advance both buildings and communities to become more sustainable, prosperous and healthy.

spring 2014

s p e c i a l f e at u r e

DOE Housing Innovation Awards WBD also received three awards at the first annual Department Of Energy (DOE) Housing Innovation Awards including the 2013 Grand Award. WBD’s Passive House won the Systems Award and Illinois’ first DOE Challenge Home, also built by WBD, won the Custom Award category.

The DOE Challenge Home designation marks the symbol of excellence in home building and is presented to distinguished builders who are evolving the way homes are designed and constructed.

Crystal Key Award Brandon Weiss was individually honored with the Crystal Key Award for creativity and innovation in new home construction. Presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago, the award recognizes excellence in housing design, architecture, interior merchandising, remodeling and landscaping.

NAHB Green Awards WBD also won the 2013 Green Builder® Home of the Year Award in the “Best Behind The Walls” category as well as two additional awards at the 2013 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Awards—the 2013 NAHB Master Certified Green Professional of the Year Award and the NAHB Green Award for Single Family Custom Home Project of the Year—presented at the International Home Builders Show in Las Vegas in February.

ily $350,000 to $555,000

» 2013 ICON Award of Excellence Gold Award: New Construction Single Fam-

» WBD just broke ground on the first certified non-toxic Passive House in the Chicagoland area (Geneva) » WBD will be building a healthy home for Serosun Farms — a sustainable real estate and farming community in Hampshire, IL.

Additionally, Weiss serves as the Committee Chair of the Green Building & Education Committee at NIHBA, is a Board Member at Passive House Alliance Chicago, is a HBA liaison for the Residential Green Building Committee at the USGBC-Illiniois Chapter, and Board of Director at the Northern Illinois Home Builders Association.

» WBD is in the beginning stages of four new Passive Homes to be built in the Chicago area in 2014 » WBD will be opening a new office in Geneva in 2014

Tom Engblom

Larry Myers

CMCA AMS PCAM

Assistant Regional Account Executive

Vice President/Regional Account Executive

779.435.2937 Toll Free 866.800.4656 ext. 7429 larry.myers@ mutualofomahabank.com

312.209.2623 Toll Free 866.800.4656 ext. 7498 tom.engblom@ mutualofomahabank.com

)0" #BOLJOH t *OUFSOFU $BTI .BOBHFNFOU )0" -PBOT t 0OMJOF 1BZNFOU 4ZTUFNT %FEJDBUFE $VTUPNFS 4FSWJDF AFN44519_0112

spring 2014

» The company has started out 2014 with more plans for green initiatives:

» 2013 ICON Award of Excellence Gold Award: Specialty Room Wine Cellar Over $50,000

NIHBA Awards WBD ended the year with four more awards at the Northern Illinois Home Builders Association awards ceremony in December including: » 2013 ICON Award of Excellence Gold Award: Energy Efficient Project Passive House $750,000 to $1 Million

More Green in 2014

» 2013 ICON Award of Excellence Gold Award: New Construction Single Family $750,00 - $1 Million

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender

National Corporate Member of Community Associations Institute.

ChiCagoland Buildings & environments

27

inDustry happenings

Illinois Ranks No. 1 State in Nation for LEED Green Building On February 18, 2014, the U.S. Green Building Council

(USGBC) released its ranking of the Top 10 States for LEED, in which the state of Illinois placed first. The list highlights the regions around the country that are at the forefront of the movement for sustainable building design, construction and operation. Utilizing less energy and water, LEED-certified spaces save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce carbon emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

“Illinois has a strong base of dedicated individuals who are using LEED to transform its built infrastructure into highperforming spaces that promote the health of our planet and the people who use these buildings each and every day,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “Illinois’ national ranking is the result of the robust network of businesses committed to sustainability working together with elected officials who understand the benefits of green building,” said Brian Imus, executive director of the Chicago-based USGBC Illinois Chapter.

The per-capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional green building projects that were certified throughout 2013. Illinois certified 171 projects representing 29,415,284 square feet of real estate, or 2.29 square feet per resident, in 2013.

USGBC calculates the list using per-capita figures as a measure of the human element of green building, allowing for a fair comparison of the level of green building taking place among states with significant differences in popula-

The full ranking of the top 10 states includes: Projects Rank State certified in 2013 Illinois 171 1 2 Maryland 119 3 Virginia 160 4 Massachusetts 101 259 5 (tie) New York 595 5 (tie) California Oregon 47 6 North Carolina 133 7 8 Colorado 124 9 Hawaii 17 10 Minnesota 51 Washington, D.C. 106 *

Square feet LEED certified in 2013 29,415,284 12,696,429 16,868,693 13,684,430 37,839,395 72,729,476 6,991,942 17,183,099 8,894,187 2,323,379 8,205,155 19,524,216

Per-capita square footage 2.29 2.20 2.11 2.09 1.95 1.95 1.83 1.80 1.77 1.71 1.55 32.45

tion and, accordingly, number of overall buildings.

A few notable projects that certified in Illinois in 2013 include: » The Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie, LEED Gold » Choices Mental Health Facility in Ottawa, LEED Platinum » 300 North LaSalle, a 57-story, 1.3 million-square-foot tower *Washington, D.C., is not ranked as it is a federal district, not a state. in Chicago developed and managed by USGBC Platinum representing 226.8 million square feet of real estate.

Member Hines, LEED Platinum Worldwide, 4,642 projects were certified in 2013, repre» The Caterpillar Visitors Center in Peoria, LEED Gold senting 596.8 million square feet. » Engine Company 16 in Chicago, LEED Platinum More than 20,000 projects representing 2.9 billion » Lincoln Hall at the University of Illinois at Urbanasquare feet of space have been LEED-certified worldwide, Champaign, LEED Platinum with another 37,000 projects representing 7.6 billion » Powell Elementary School in Chicago, LEED Gold square feet in the pipeline for certification. » Lincoln Land Community College Workforce Careers The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building Center in Springfield, LEED Silver certification system is a program for the design, construction, There are 541 USGBC member organizations with headmaintenance and operations of green buildings. Every day, quarters in Illinois, employing more than 14 million people more than 1.5 million square feet of space is certified using and grossing more than $106 billion in annual revenue. In LEED. More than 57,000 commercial and institutional projaddition, there are more than 8,600 LEED credentialed proects are currently participating in LEED, comprising 10.5 bilfessionals in the state. lion square feet of construction space in 147 countries and Collectively, 1,777 commercial and institutional projterritories. In addition, more than 50,000 residential units. ects became LEED certified within the top 10 states in 2013,

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spring 2014

Smart Elevators Taking Care of Chicagoland the Smart Way!

Try the Smart Way, Choose Smart Elevators Smart Elevators is a full service elevator maintenance and repair firm that operates with honesty, integrity and pride.

Our business is built on referrals, with safety and reliability our foremost concern.

Services Include: » Systematic and comprehensive maintenance service. » Modernization and ADA upgrades » Pressure Testing and Annual State Safety Testing.

P. 630.544.6800 1636 Canyon Run Rd., Naperville, IL 60565

www.smartelevators.com

» We repair all brands and types of escalators, freight, Lifts, dumbwaiter and private residence elevators.

Mention this ad and receive 10% of your first year maintenance service