LEED Gold Certification Achieved By Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School On City’s Northwest Side

The Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) today announced the achievement of LEED Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) for the Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School located at 3231 N. Springfield Avenue on the city’s northwest side.

Since Chairman Emanuel announced his goal last June to double the number of municipally-owned LEED certified buildings in the City of Chicago, PBC has achieved five additional Gold certified. Emanuel serves as both Chicago Mayor and PBC Board Chairman.

In September, the PBC reported LEED Gold Certification for Calmeca Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language, Mariano Azuela Elementary School, 23rd District Police Station and Valley Forge Park Fieldhouse.

“Chicago leads by example with 46 municipally-owned LEED certified buildings, more than any other city in the nation,” said Erin Lavin Cabonargi. “The PBC is proud to have developed 37 of these facilities, including 11 schools, four police stations, four firehouses, ten libraries, three park facilities and five additional municipal buildings, and we have 35 additional projects registered for LEED certification.”

Complete and open to students in Fall 2010, Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School features aggressive stormwater management, native and adaptive landscape species, durable and recycled building materials, lighting sensor and daylight harvesting in addition to a community garden with identified plant species for enhanced learning and a combination green and reflective roof to combat the urban heat island effect.

The PBC also implements an economic sustainability program for each project it takes on that includes bid incentives for the employment of apprentices, and minority and female workers; community hiring and resident workforce requirements; and contract provisions that require minority- and women-owned business participation and local business participation.

The Public Building Commission of Chicago manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its sister agencies. Mayor Rahm Emanuel serves as the PBC’s chairman. Erin Lavin Cabonargi serves as the Executive Director of the PBC.  Additional information about the PBC and its projects can be found at www.pbcchicago.com