CRPL Wins State Environmental Award

Cedar Rapids Public Library Wins First Place Environmental Award

Cedar Rapids Public Library was awarded first place in the commercial/civic category of the 2015 best development awards. These awards are presented by a non-profit called 1,000 Friends of Iowa that focuses on responsible land use. The awards are intended to recognize projects that connect development and quality of life, according to the group, which promotes smart growth principles as a way to achieve socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable communities.

The $45 million LEED Platinum library includes a 24,000 square foot green roof which features rainwater harvesting for irrigation. The rainwater harvesting system captures 90% of normal annual rainfall and 100% of all rainfall up to 1 inch. Sustainability was a core component of the project that is 11 percent bigger than the previous yet was touted as using one third of the energy as its antecedent.

Congratulations to the entire team on this great award!