The
Green Garage, an ambitious project located in Midtown that is part business incubator and part green building model, received approval to move forward with construction from
both the Historic District Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. The next step is approval from the Buildings and Safety Department; then construction will begin in earnest.
The Green Garage is a 11,000-square-foot building located on Second Ave. between Canfield and Prentis. It was built in 1920 and was used for a number of auto-related businesses, including a Model T showroom. Most recently a warehouse, it was purchased in December of 2007 by Peggy and Tom Brennan for use as a sustainable business center.
Over the last eighteen months, brainstorming and work sessions have developed an extensive vision for the property based on a foundation of the triple bottom line, which rests on economic, social and environmental equity. To that end, the building will work to support the community while incorporating the latest in green building techniques with a goal of zero carbon emissions.
The building's exterior will be returned to its original configuration and will add fencing and native trees and landscaping. The existing loading dock will be transformed into an indoor/outdoor space with a kitchenette. The bulk of the interior space will house three green businesses, but there will be room for "rent-a-desk" enterprises and micro-businesses as well as an information center for the public and conference and meeting space. There will be indoor and outdoor bike parking and bathroom facilities that include lockers and showers.
Most of the interior ceiling will be removed to showcase the building's bow tresses. Two mezzanines will look onto the main floor. The one along the rear of the building will have an "imagination room" for relaxation and room for rent-a-desks, while the one that fronts Second will house a library and a patio deck and garden.
An annex, which is located in an addition built in the 1960's, will have workshop space and room for equipment storage. A greenhouse will lead to the adjoining
Green Alley.
Green Garage plans to take energy efficiency to a whole new level, with a comprehensive passive energy design reducing energy needs by 90% right off the bat. Remaining energy needs will come from solar, wind and geothermal sources. Look for more detailed information on the project's innovative energy design in future Model D coverage.
Over 40 volunteers from various professional worlds including architecture, engineering, accounting and business are involved in the various aspects of the complex project. Two interns are also currently working on energy modeling and design.
In the two week interim before hammers start swinging, Green Garagers are focusing their attention on materials sourcing. Their goal is for 90 percent of construction materials to be reused from within the building -- for example, pipes that will be used to fabricate the stairs that will lead to the mezzanine that facing Second Ave. -- and for 50 percent of the remaining needed materials to be pulled from within the current waste stream.
Sources: Peggy and Tom Brennan, Green Garage
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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