Development News

Detroit Edison upgrades pollution controls at Monroe plant

metromode Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Monroe Power Plant is becoming a bit cleaner these days now that Detroit Edison has installed a new pollution scrubber in the coal-fired power plant.

This is the second flue gas desulfurization system installed this year. It reduces sulfur dioxide emissions by about 97 percent and mercury emissions by 80-90 percent on the plant's No. 3 generating unit. The No 4. unit has a similar system that went into operation in June. The plant has four generating units.

Detroit Edison, a subsidiary of Detroit-based DTE Energy, has also installed other pollution control devices in recent years, including selective catalytic reduction systems on three of the plant's generating units to reduce nitrogen oxide output by 90 percent.

The Monroe facility is the first power plant in Michigan to install both of these systems. Installation on the remaining generating units is expected to begin next year. The scrubbers and catalytic reduction devices are expected to help the plant meet federal and state emission limits.

Source: DTE Energy
Writer: Jon Zemke

Construction resumes on Upland Green's apt units in Ann Arbor

Concentrate Thursday, November 19, 2009

Upland Green is getting ready to open some more apartment living options on the north side of Ann Arbor this winter.

Excerpt:

The Upland Green project is in much more of a start than a fit these days, now that work has begun again on the multi-use development on Ann Arbor's north side.

New investors out of New Jersey have taken over the project --which has been on-again/off-again since 2004-- with plans to finish off the residential section by the end of the winter. Model units should be open by the beginning of the new year, bringing more life to the Plymouth Road corridor, adjacent to the University of Michigan's North Campus.

Read the rest of the story here.

EMU teams up with Chevron to make campus more sustainable

Concentrate Thursday, November 19, 2009

Who would have thought an oil company would help make Ypsilanti's Eastern Michigan University greener?

Excerpt:

Eastern Michigan University intends to tighten its energy belt by forming a partnership with Chevron Energy Solutions.

The two will conduct energy audits of the university's 16 buildings. Some of these buildings are 100 years old or older, but most were built in the mid-20th Century. Many have gone decades without updating their infrastructure, if it was upgraded at all.

"We're looking at more than $30 million in potential savings. And that is just in our housing buildings," says Steven Moore, energy and sustainability manager for Eastern Michigan University, a post that was created early last year. "There is a large potential for energy savings on this campus."

Read the rest of the story here.

Oakland U goes green with new hydration station

metromode Thursday, November 12, 2009

Going green could be as easy as offering people a choice to do so. That's what Oakland University is doing by adding a hydration station to the mix for its students.

Most of the time the term 'hydration station' comes across as fancy jargon for a water fountain. The university replaced one in the Oakland Center with a water dispenser that makes using a refillable bottle more convenient and lessens the need to buy bottled water.

"It's designed to refill water bottles quickly," says Richard Fekel, director of the Oakland Center.

The idea is to encourage more students to carry their own containers instead of buying disposable plastic ones that too often clog landfills. While this is the first hydration station on Oakland University's campus, however, more might be in the future.

"My guess is this will start a new trend," Fekel says. "We sell a lot of bottled water on campus so this is just another way for our students to give back to their environment."

Source: Richard Fekel, director of the Oakland Center
Writer: Jon Zemke

Farmington Hills Parks win environmental award

metromode Thursday, November 12, 2009

Farmington Hills green spaces are getting green awards for not going the extra mile to make their grass as green as possible.

The city's park system and gold club were recognized for their environmental stewardship by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program recognizes organizations for enhancing wildlife habitats and going above and beyond environmental compliance.

That could mean preventing pollutions and protecting waterways by using less fertilizer that contributes to water run-off pollution and reducing the maintained areas of the golf course. Other areas of recognition include conserving energy. For instance, the city received an energy audit of all of its buildings.

The city also created a new chemical storage room for its golf course, so spillage is contained in one area. Fertilizer and lawn maintenance is also limited to areas away from waterways and only done a few times a year.

"We have very good turf," says Bill Wright, parks supervisor for Farmington Hills. "People are shocked when they hear that."

Only 52 of the 230 properties participating in the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program have met the criteria for certification in Michigan. Farmington Hills is the first municipal park system to receive it.

Source: Bill Wright, parks supervisor for Farmington Hills
Writer: Jon Zemke

Oakland U adds more green vehicles to its campus

metromode Thursday, November 05, 2009

Oakland University's vehicle fleet is becoming greener around the mud flaps now that it has added some zero-emission trucks to its mix.

The university's Facilities Management department purchased three Miles ZX40ST electric trucks. Each one charges from a standard 110-volt outlet and has expected regenerative breaking and a battery life measuring out to 25,000 miles.

The trucks have a payload capacity of more than 1,000 pounds each. They are street legal and can drive as fast as 50 mph, although they are built to go at speeds of around 25 mph.

"They're not only lightweight but they can do all of the work the little Mitsubishi gas-powered trucks can do," says Jon Barth, manager of custodial and grounds for Oakland University. "They're working very well for us."

Oakland University bought them from North Central Zenn in Ohio for about $14,000 each. Officials expect to save as much as $2,500 on annual gas and maintenance costs. The vehicles will be evaluated over the winter and summer to see if these projections pan out.

These are not the first environmentally friendly vehicles the university has purchased for its Rochester campus. It also uses an assortment of gas-powered pickup trucks and vans built by the Big Three.

Source: Jon Barth, manager of custodial and grounds for Oakland University
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ypsilanti City Hall begins installation of solar panels

Concentrate Thursday, November 05, 2009

The solar panels are going up and onto the backside of Ypsilanti's City Hall.

Excerpt:

The solar panels are starting to go up on the back end of Yspilanti's City Hall.

The grassroots group of solar-power activists making the project happen (with the help of a $36,000 grant and some local fundraising/volunteer efforts) are putting up the framing and getting ready to install 12 solar panels by the end of the month. The goal is to have the whole thing wired and ready to go in the very near future.

"We're hoping by the end of the year, hopefully sooner," says Dave Strenski, volunteer with the Ypsilanti Solar Panel Project.

Read the rest of the story here.

Brownfield tax credits OK'd for Station 65 in Mount Clemens

metromode Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Station 65 project in downtown Mt. Clemens took another step forward this week when the state approved the brownfield tax credits for its redevelopment.

Downtown Mt. Clemens-based Partners in Architecture is working to turn the historic Firehouse No. 2 into its new headquarters. The 16-person-firm (including interns) plans to turn the second floor and part of the first floor into its offices. The remainder will be available for retail or office uses.

"The rest of the first floor is still available for lease," says Mike Malone, a partner with Partners in Architecture.

The nearly century-old building is across the street from the New Street Lofts. The ornate structure dates back to the turn of the 20th Century. It went from being a fire station to offices to a combination of office and commercial space. Plans to turn it into lofts had been discussed before Partners in Architecture, which rents space less than a block away, bought it.

The firm plans to put an extensive green roof on the 2-story building so its employees can use it as a green space to relax. The plans also call for removing part of the second floor to make office interiors visible. Work is set to begin within the next few weeks and wrap up by next spring.

Source: Mike Malone, a partner with Partners in Architecture
Writer: Jon Zemke

Novi recognized for its greenways and conservation

metromode Thursday, October 29, 2009

The word sustainability isn't regularly used with a sprawlburg suburb like Novi, but the municipality recently won the first Oak Land Award at the 2009 Oakland County Green Infrastructure Celebration.

The awards recognize communities that contribute and demonstrate successful efforts toward the planning, promotion, design, development, and support of green infrastructure in Oakland County. Novi won for its interconnected network of open spaces, natural areas, and waterways.

"They really have a whole host of natural resources that nicely blend the natural environment with development," says Jim Keglovitz, a senior planner for Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services.

Novi employs a number of conservation initiatives, including a wildlife habitat plan, a linear greenway system, and wetland protection plan, among others. For information about the county's Green Infrastructure Vision, click here.

Source: Jim Keglovitz, a senior planner for Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services
Writer: Jon Zemke

Woodbridge container housing project gets big green lights: City Council OK and predevelopment funds

Model D Thursday, October 29, 2009

An innovative container/housing development is making headway in Detroit.

Excerpt:

A visionary project that will turn 93 reused shipping containers into housing units has achieved some important milestones.

The project, called Exceptional Green Living, will be located at the southeast corner of Rosa Parks and Warren in Woodbridge. The much buzzed about development is moving ahead, having just received unanimous approval to proceed from Detroit City Council and secured initial predevelopment funding.

Read the rest of the story here.

Oak Electric adds wind turbines to Waterford HQ

metromode Thursday, October 22, 2009

Oak Electric is walking the walk by installing the product it sells.

The 11-year-old firm recently installed a wind turbine at its Waterford headquarters. The Swift Wind Turbine (made in Grand Rapids) is the same one that Oak Electric sells and installs, along with other renewable energy products.

"We wanted to test the data for ourselves," says Gary Pipia, president of Oak Electric.

The turbine is expected to produce 2,000 kilowatts of clean energy each year. To put that in context, an average home consumes 400-600 kilowatts of energy, so the turbine could satisfy the energy needs of up to five homes. The turbine costs $12,000 installed.

Oak Electric has installed a number of these throughout Metro Detroit, especially in the Ann Arbor area. It also installs other wind turbines and solar energy systems. It's in the process of installing a five kilowatt solar system at its headquarters, where it already has energy efficient lighting. All of these are products the 11-person firm sells.

"We've got some jobs out there," Pipia says.

Source: Gary Pipia, president of Oak Electric
Writer: Jon Zemke

A3C installs solar panels on downtown Ann Arbor office

Concentrate Thursday, October 22, 2009

A3C is making the sun shine a bit brighter and work a bit harder in downtown Ann Arbor these days, thanks to its new solar panels.

Excerpt:

Just when you thought A3C Collaborative Architecture's downtown Ann Arbor headquarters couldn't get any greener, it did.

The Gold LEED certified structure on 210 Huron Avenue is putting the finishing touches on the installation of three new solar panels on its roof. Each solar panel will serve as an example of just what type of environmentally friendly options are available to A3C's customers.

"It demonstrates some of the great renewable energy systems out there," says Dan Jacobs, founding principal and director of sustainable design for A3C Collaborative Architecture.

Read the rest of the story here.

Steel skeleton rises on Michigan International Speedway green project

metromode Thursday, October 15, 2009

The old section is down and the steel structure is going up at the new expansion of the Michigan International Speedway facilities.

The Brooklyn-based NASCAR racetrack begun an ambitious environmentally friendly project earlier this year. It razed its old media center and suites along the racetrack to make way for a much more environmentally friendly addition. The project is ahead of schedule and the exterior is expected to be framed in before Christmas.

"Our plan is to get as much done before the winter weather sets in," says Dennis Worden, public relations manager for MIS.

MIS is rebuilding its 31 suites and media center, adding 8,000 square feet of solar panels. The panels, provided by Auburn Hills-based Uni-Solar, will produce 70,000 kilowatts per hour of alternative energy, making the racetrack one of the largest such producers in U.S. sports. The electricity will be utilized by MIS, which is also looking at adding wind power next year.

The $17 million eco-friendly project is expected to complement the rest of the facility's green features, such as an expansive recycling program that covers the entire complex. Work is expected to be complete by June of 2010.

Source: Dennis Worden, manager of public relations for Michigan International Speedway
Writer: Jon Zemke

Lawrence Tech talks sustainability at home, abroad

metromode Thursday, October 15, 2009

Lawrence Technological University is going short and long to drive home its point about using sustainable practices in construction.

Faculty members are preaching the merits of green building as far away as Asia and here at home. The university will host a forum on the use of wood construction materials as a preferred sustainable practice on Oct. 27.

"Wood: the More Sustainable Structural System" will be held at Lawrence Tech's Southfield campus, 21000 West 10 Mile Road. It features a panel of green building experts who will talk about how using wood, a carbon neutral material, is more sustainable and energy efficient than alternatives. The experts will also discuss its aesthetic values.

The Detroit chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers will co-host the event with Lawrence Tech. For information, contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@drc-usgbc.org or (248) 228-3190.

On the other side of the world, Lawrence Tech Prof. Nabil Grace is leading a study called "Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Materials for Infrastructure." He is working with researchers from Stanford University and Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. They are developing and testing methods for new alternative construction materials that will increase the longevity for infrastructure like bridges.

The research will show how spending a little more up front will make for a much longer lifespan for such installations, ultimately saving on materials and money for those tax payers.

Source: Lawrence Technological University
Writer: Jon Zemke

Alvin's, an old campus hangout, becomes new again

Model D Thursday, October 15, 2009

An old name in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood is reborn again in its old/rehabbed home.

Excerpt:

Every Detroiter of a certain age has a memory of Alvin's, and owner Stacey Jazz hopes now that it is reopen, the restaurant, bar and music venue will again become a vibrant part of Wayne State's campus life.

To that end, Alvin's is hosting happy hours weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and for two hours following every WSU home football game. Lots of seating, free wi-fi, and an affordable, fresh food menu give the space a friendly, hang-out vibe.

Read the rest of the story here.

Sustainability : Development News