Page 38 - January 2020 BarJournal

FEATURE EXTRA

THE NEXT JUSTICE CENTER

GOING GREEN?

BY KEVIN CRONIN

arlier, in a prescient article in this nities. While many of these challenges may seem Access to sunlight has medical and pacifying
CMBA publication, we discussed the daunting, we believe some of the most innovative impact, yet the current Cuyahoga Justice Center
concept of LEED (Leadership in En- and greatest cost savings solutions can be found resembles more of a fortress. By contrast, this facil-
ergy and Environmental Design) cer- in the greening of corrections.” ity incorporates narrow window to permit natural
E tification by the US Green Building The report stressed both short-term and long- light and keep the cells cool in the summer and
Design Council and adopting advanced environ- term benefits of greening correctional facilities, warm in the winter reducing energy usage. Energy
mental standards for the design and construction citing reduction in resources and pollution, efficient boilers and ventilation systems cut energy
of any proposed new Cuyahoga Justice Center. while providing healthier environments for in- demand by 50%, saving roughly $400,000 per year.
Designing and implementing advanced environ- mates, staff, visitors, and administration. Some The facility also addresses solar energy generation
mental concepts could deliver environmental im- strategies for sustainability and green practices with solar energy panels installed on building roof-
provements for energy and water use, strengthen address facility construction, operation and tops, supplying about 13% of the facility’s needs.
the environmental commitment of local govern- maintenance; resource consumption; vehicle use; Water use was carefully studied, with low-flow
ment and enhance the local capacity for advanced purchase of goods and services; and strategies for toilet fixtures, drought-resistant landscaping and
design and practices. inmate training for post-release employment op- use of gravel instead of grass to cut water use by
LEED promotes environmental commit- portunities in an emerging green economy. 25%. The facility reduced energy consumption by
ment and sustainability for building design by Some important environmental consider- more than 50% per square foot, with energy effi-
urging design and construction practices ad- ation begins right from the start, with site se- ciency features such as heat reclamation, ventila-
dressing six priority areas: lection and planning and commitment to local tion and boiler systems.
1. Sustainable site development construction materials to reduce shipping and
2. Water efficiency transport costs, wherever possible. The follow- Butner Federal Correctional Institution, Butner,
3. Energy efficiency and atmosphere ing justice facilities, some moderate security North Carolina
4. Building materials and resources and juvenile facilities, offer some interesting The Butner facility was the US’s first LEED certi-
5. Indoor environmental quality environmental components in their plans for fied prison. This medium security prison totals
6. Innovation and design construction and design, water use, and energy 530,295 square feet, houses approximately 1,500
Without pre-judging (we’d never do that) the generation, a few examples that Northeast Ohio inmates in 16 separate buildings, all of which
idea of construction versus renovating the cur- should consider in “going green.” This article is meet LEED certification requirements. Some fea-
rent Justice Center, we want to present some intended to identify some steps for Northeast tures include stormwater management, low-flow
ideas already in place in jails around the coun- Ohio to consider in the prison context of a pro- plumbing fixtures, recharging stations for electric
try, where pursuing LEED design and strong posed Justice Center. In future articles, we can cars, bicycle parking and an exterior design to
environmental standards for energy efficient review green ideas options for the court func- reduce heat absorption.The construction process
construction and operation have been important tions of a proposal as well. stressed sourcing materials from local distributers
elements in jail projects around the country. and 70% of construction waste was recycled.
Environmental commitment is not an abstract Coyote Ridge Corrections Center, Connell, John Eisenlau, an architect with Atlanta-based
concept, but acknowledges that with proper Washington firm HOK, stressed designing buildings with more
planning, some important concepts in public The facility, designed and executed in 2006-08, insulation, reflective roofs, and other features.
construction and operation can generate longer- adopted plans for the re-use of water, utilizing Design elements, including orientation and water
term operation savings and better outcomes for over five million gallons of water less than sim- reclamation, eco-friendly construction materials,
the area, operators and inmates. ilar-sized facilities. The $230-million, 2,048-bed and even green roofs can reduce long term energy
A 2011 report of the National Corrections medium-security expansion project at Coyote and operational costs. Prisons need to reconsider
Institute, “The Greening of Corrections,” noted Ridge, which is adjacent to a minimum security the concrete block buildings and inefficient high-
“These challenges range from rising energy costs, facility. The facility is one of 15 LEED facilities rise designs. Changing building design can make a
increased water use and food, to the provision in the Washington State corrections system, the prison “faster and easier to maintain.”
of education and training for prisoners to help most LEED-certified buildings of any criminal Environmental aspects of the Butner facility
them successfully transition into their commu- justice agency in the US. include: sites selection, alternative fuels refueling
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