Charlottesville, Va., Transit Station Awarded LEED Certification

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded the city of Charlottesville’s Downtown Transit Station (DTS) in Charlottesville, Va., with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED-NC) Gold-level certification.

The Downtown Transit Station earned the recognition for a number of key design accomplishments. Materials used in the construction of the DTS incorporate recycled components, and local industry and businesses were supported by the use of regional materials.

In addition, the building minimizes environmental impacts through site-related measures, affecting heating and cooling, energy, water use and air quality. Operating costs are reduced through a geothermal heat pump system, where energy is generated by the earth’s natural cycle of heating and cooling, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. According to a press release from the USGBC, initial capital costs are recovered in approximately seven years and heating costs are reduced between 30 and 70 percent.

The project architect was WRT of Philadelphia, and the general contractor was Daniel & Co. Inc., Richmond, Va.

More information is available at www.usgbc.org or www.charlottesville.org.