According to Thornton Tomasetti, Inc., the Acadia Gateway Center administrative and maintenance facility has received LEED Gold Certification. Fore Solutions, the green building consulting company acquired by Thornton Tomasetti in 2012, provided LEED consulting services for the project located at the gateway to Acadia National Park.
Fore Solutions was hired by the mechanical engineer on this project, Allied Engineering, to provide LEED consulting. Fore Solutions reviewed the energy model, tracked compliance with LEED throughout design and construction and reviewed and submitted LEED documentation to the Green Building Certification Institute.
The Acadia Gateway Center administrative and maintenance facility is the first phase of a multi-phased project to implement a Transportation Demand Management Plan for Acadia National Park in order to reduce automobile traffic on Mount Desert Island. Phase I of the project consists of a 22,000 s/f center located on Rte. 3 that will function first as a bus maintenance and storage facility for the seasonal Island Explorer bus system and as a summertime park-and-ride parking lot for people who want to ride the propane-powered buses onto Mount Desert Island.
The second phase will include a visitor center and intermodal facility for the Island Explorer bus service.
Key points:
* This $14.7 million facility was funded through a combination of federal and state sources, including $11.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration.
* The Acadia Gateway Center is anticipated to reduce more than 10 million vehicle miles per year with the Island Explorer buses. Local bus routes will stop at the park and ride on-site to connect building visitors and staff to the surrounding area. Preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles is being provided for employees and visitors.
* Water used to wash buses is collected, filtered and reused - reducing water demand by 88%. No irrigation will be used on-site and temporary irrigation will only be provided for one year.
* The project demonstrates a 38.3% improvement in the building performance rating compared to the baseline building performance in ASHRAE-90.1-2004. Energy efficiency measures include an improved thermal envelope, high-efficiency glazing, reduced interior lighting power density and high-efficiency HVAC systems.
* Solar collectors are being used on the project to pre-heat domestic water for the domestic hot water system. Roof materials with a high SRI (Solar Reflectance Index) value have been installed on the roof.
* Materials with recycled content and local materials were used in the project wherever possible, and 70% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
* Low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet and composite wood materials are being used in the project.
* Accessible temperature and lighting controls have been installed for building occupants.
Jay Waterman, LEED AP BD+C / HOMES, associate with Thornton Tomasetti said, "Months of hard work and planning by all parties on behalf of the Acadia Gateway Center administrative and maintenance facility have resulted in LEED Gold Certification. We are proud to have provided the sustainable design review services needed for Phase I of this project that will eventually take thousands of cars off the roads and replace them with cleaner transportation alternatives."
U.S. congressman Mike Michaud said, "This project is an exciting step toward making the Acadia Welcome Center a reality. Tourism is vital to our economy in Maine, and today's progress means that we are on our way to making the Acadia National Park experience better than ever."
Maine DOT chief engineer Kenneth Sweeney, said "From the initial design phase to the contractor's efforts in building this state of the art facility to the people who will enjoy what this opportunity has to offer, I am excited to help ease the area's traffic congestion and make this experience more environmentally friendly for generations to come."