GBA Team Provides Commissioning Services for First LEED Platinum Facility in Greensburg, Kansas

On the evening of May 4, 2007, Greensburg, Kansas, was devastated by a tornado that traveled rapidly through the area, leveling at least 95 percent of the city and killing eleven people. The tornado was estimated to be 1.7 miles wide with winds reaching 205 mph. After the damage was assessed and calm returned to the southwest Kansas community, the city council passed a resolution stating that all new city buildings would be built to LEED platinum standards. 

The Greensburg Business Incubator was the first LEED Platinum facility constructed in downtown Greensburg following the tornado. The two-story, 9,580 sf facility provides opportunity for startup businesses to obtain office space and meeting space.

A GBA team provided services to achieve LEED v2.2 EA Prerequisite 1, Fundamental Commissioning, and EA Credit 3, Enhanced Commissioning. The building achieved LEED Platinum certification with greater than 50% energy savings and innovative water-reuse systems.

Kudos to the citizens of Greensburg for making a commitment to “green” and for making it happen. The community is an inspiration and a model for communities everywhere. And kudos to the GBA team for being part of this important effort.

Thanks to Wikipedia for facts and figures cited about the tornado.