It’s a bit complicated to work through all the ins and outs it
would take to make Gilroy’s new library a certified
”
green
”
building. But the Council is doing the right thing by seeking a
review before determining that it’s too expensive.
1. Review should be detailed and the Council should scrutinize the plans
It’s a bit complicated to work through all the ins and outs it would take to make Gilroy’s new library a certified “green” building. But the Council is doing the right thing by seeking a review before determining that it’s too expensive.
That review should be thoroughly detailed and carefully scrutinized.
Raw calculations suggest the energy savings alone could be more than $7 million over the life of our new 53,500 square foot library, and doing a comprehensive return on investment calculation is worth the time now before construction begins.
The fact that the design is more than 90 percent complete and that the $37 million construction budget estimate is on the books should not preclude an analysis now, particularly in the light of the current economy.
2. Economic crisis gives Gilroy a window of opportunity to upgrade
This could be an opportunity for Gilroy to get more bang for it’s bucks and the taxpayers would sure appreciate that after giving the new library construction bond a two-thirds thumbs up vote in November.
The Council should be looking hard at the cost of construction which has rapidly fallen in the midst of the economic crisis. The cost of steel is down, the cost of concrete flat. Coupled with the fact that many construction outfits are simply looking to survive by keeping their key people employed, the city should seek a qualified opinion on whether or not a shift in the design, with the associated costs, could stay within the budget.
3. Meeting the highest environmental design standard should be the goal
It should also answer the question of what’s in the current design that could be “traded out” to accomplish an energy-saving design and construction. Everything should be weighed.
It’s difficult to believe that within a $37 million budget, there aren’t significant opportunities for both construction savings and trades that would make building an energy-efficient library possible. The goal should be to meet the highest standard set by the non-profit Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design group. If it simply doesn’t pencil out, then drop it one level.
The LEED standards deal with a long list including water use, recycled materials and transportation issues.
It’s tempting to just say the library is too far down the road and be done with it, but the better choice is to do everything possible to build it green for the long term.
