Kentucky convention center project officials seek LEED certification

Louisville, Kentucky-based Kentucky International Convention Center officials are seeking The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification after its renovation and expansion, a report by the Courier-Journal says. One of the components to achieve certification is recycling the construction and demolition (C&D) debris created at the site.

Hunt Construction Group, Indianapolis, are the contractors for the $207 million, 22-month project. The western half of the convention center, which is being demolished, opened in 1977 while the eastern half being renovated was added in 2000. Construction began in August.

The renovations and expansion will have new features to promote water and energy efficiency, the report says, and plans for the recycling aspect include diverting at least 77 percent of the C&D debris from landfill, which will total to 18,851 tons of concrete, metal, bricks and blocks.

Local companies, including Innovative Crushing and Aggregate Inc., Louisville, Kentucky, River Metals, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, and EcoTech, Louisville, Kentucky, are involved in the recycling aspect of the project. According to the report, 8,800 tons of concrete will be used as a foundation for new roads and buildings, 65 percent of the 3,000 tons of bricks and blocks will either be recycled or reused as parts of the renovation and 2,700 tons of steel and metal will be melted and turned into new construction materials.

The project is part of Jefferson County’s goal to divert 90 percent of all solid waste from landfill by 2042. Currently, its diversion rate is 54 percent.