FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LACCD RECEIVES FIRST-EVER VISIONARY LEADERSHIP AWARD
FOR ITS DEDICATION TO GREEN BUILDING
USGBC-LA will recognize the district's commitment to sustainable design and construction at the fourth annual Sustainability Conference, "Get Real, Be Sustainable" on Dec. 2
Dec. 1, 2005 (LOS ANGELES) - Highlighting again its commitment to an environmentally-friendly approach to its construction program, the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) today announced that it has been chosen as the recipient of the first-ever Visionary Leadership Award from the US Green Buildings Council, Los Angeles Chapter (USGBC-LA). The award recognizes the LACCD for its commitment and efforts in sustainable design and construction at its nine colleges. The award will be presented to Sylvia Scott-Hayes, President of the LACCD Board of Trustees at the fourth annual Sustainability Conference and at the USGBC-LA gala that follows.
"When LACCD envisioned the type of environment they wanted their students to learn in, they ventured into uncharted territory," said Bharat Patel, Chair of the USGBC Los Angeles Chapter. "When they began there were only a handful of architects, engineers and contractors experienced in LEED(tm) principals and design. Today there are hundreds. They have shown true vision and leadership in the field of sustainable design."
"Receiving this award from the USGBC-LA validates once again the vision of the Los Angeles Community Colleges' Board of Trustees to make our $2.2 billion building program as green as possible," said Eisenberg. "We are showing that public agencies can undertake large-scale construction programs in an environmentally-sensitive manner, and we are gratified by the recognition by this prestigious organization."
"Like USGBC-LA, the Los Angeles Community Colleges are committed to create a greener Los Angeles," continued Eisenberg. "Each new building will incorporate teaching principals into the fabric of the building. Students will be able to experience the benefits of efficient energy designs, and open-air and natural daylight policies. They will be able to learn from the buildings through education stations. They will know that through every stage of our construction process we are committed to providing them the best higher education available."
Background:
The mission of the USGBC Los Angeles Chapter is to improve the economic, social and environmental performance of Southern California regional development through the integration of green building practices. Today, USGBC-LA represents over 400 individuals from over 100 organizations in the greater Los Angeles area who are committed to making their communities better places to live through smarter planning, better public policy, and greener development. For more information, visit the website at www.usgbc-la.org.
LACCD is currently undertaking the largest public sector sustainable building program in the United States. The Los Angeles Community College District's new construction, renovation and upgrade projects are funded by Propositions A and AA, which provide $2.2 billion in voter-approved funds. The District is executing an extensive building program to address much-needed campus improvements and transform its nine community colleges into state-of-the-art educational resources for students and the community.
Throughout the process, the District has shown strong leadership in its adoption of sustainable energy principles. LACCD has set the goal to self-produce 25 percent of its energy needs with 10 percent utilizing photovoltaic cells. For more information, visit the website at www.PropositionA.org.
2005 LACCD Sustainability Conference:
The District and the USGBC-LA are sponsoring the 2005 LACCD Sustainability Conference, Get Real, Be Sustainable on Dec. 2, 2005 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
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MEDIA CONTACT: David Herbst/Kristen Rockwell, MWW Group (213) 486-6560
Los Angeles Community Colleges
770 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90017