The Greater Lynchburg Transit Co. (GLTC) Kemper Street Station, has been recognized by the Greater Virginia Green Building Council (GVGBC) for Commercial Building achievement and first place for 2015 Award. The Kemper Street Station has achieved LEED Platinum, the U. S. Green Buildings Council’s (USGBC) highest recognition for sustainable design and energy usage. GLTC officials were notified in December by GVGBC of this recognition and award. Attending the award ceremony in Richmond, Virginia, Dec. 3, were Margaret “Peggy” Whitaker, GLTC board president, Josh Baker, GLTC CEO, and Chip Badger of Wendel the principal design firm.
The Kemper Street Station joins 16 other LEED Platinum facilities in Virginia and approximately 200 for the entire nation. Josh Baker, CEO for GLTC stated “This is a significant achievement for GLTC, the City of Lynchburg and our entire transportation network. The very heart of Public Transit is to provide a sustainable service to many, while reducing our dependence on vehicles and improving the environment. The Kemper Street facility serves as a model to how we can all do our part to preserve our environment for the future generations. I hope all the residents of Lynchburg will come by and tour the facility and share in the pride what we have achieved.”
Among the sustainable design elements featured at the Kemper Street station are; photovoltaics’ that generate energy from the sun; a green roof that provides cooling to the building; improved drainage systems that allow the storm runoff to be collected back into the ground; and energy and water efficient devices within the building minimizing the use of electricity and potable water.
The Kemper Street Station opened in June 2014 and serves the GLTC bus system as well as providing regional service. 800 Kemper Street Station is located across from the train station where Amtrak currently operates.
The building, designed by Wendel and constructed by Jamerson-Lewis is roughly 8,000 s.f. and cost $7.9 Million.
