This project was unique due to a variety of reasons including the project was awarded to our firm based on best overall value demonstrated through our technical proposal submission. Furthermore, we initially joined efforts with the project team consisting of the Owner and consultants to develop cost saving suggestions while increasing efforts to maximize LEED points and maintain youth initiatives and established youth programs. Our firm held weekly meetings with City Officials, the Parks and Recreation Department and the staff of the adjacent middle school to incorporate project requirements , establish safety guidelines, develop quality control procedures, and coordinate day to day construction activities.

The project was located on a narrow site surrounded by businesses and adjacent to the middle school. Access to the project was limited to one construction entrance for all activities. The site was further constrained by the placement of 14 geothermal wells drilled at an average depth of 350 feet. The location of the wells required them to be installed prior to any further advance of site improvements or erecting the building’s structure.

In addition, the project required a new sanitary sewer line to be installed from East Diamond Ave though the length of the site. To access the existing line, detailed coordination was required with both WSSC and the City of Gaithersburg to conduct nightly street closures to minimize the impact on the community and school activities. The City’s schedule outlined two weeks for this activity, but with careful planning and coordination, the work was completed in four nights and the street was re-opened for full use.

While the above mentioned is unique , the following achievement is what we believe is the highlight of this project. The Center required to achieve specific points for US Green Building Council’s outline for sustainable sites, energy & atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design to obtain a LEED Silver certification. More than 95% of the construction waste from this project was diverted and recycled. This earned an additional LEED point beyond the requirement for silver certification.

The project required material with recycled content that included post consumer and pre-consumer content to constitute at least 10% of the total value of material in the project. The project achieved more than 20% which earned an additional LEED point beyond the requirement for silver certification.

The project required material or products that have been extracted, harvested, or recovered, as well as manufactured within a 500 mile radius of the project site. The minimum was 10% of the total value of material in the project. The project achieved more than 20% which earned an additional LEED point beyond the requirement for silver certification.

Based on all the efforts of the team and achieving goals beyond the established point structure, The Olde Towne Youth Center met and exceeded the rating of LEED Silver Certification and has achieved the highest level rating of Platinum Certification awarded by US Green Building Council.