St. Paul, Minn. (March 20, 2018)—The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation's addiction treatment facility in St. Paul has been awarded the silver-level LEED certification. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained, and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.
"As a place of hope, healing and health, it was imperative to us that our expansion in St. Paul result in healthy, green, high-performing buildings. We're proud of achieving LEED certification, which creates measurable contributions to a healthier environment and reduces operating costs while prioritizing sustainable practices," said Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation President and CEO Mark Mishek.
Minneapolis-based HGA Architects and Engineers designed the recent expansion and renovations at Hazelden in St. Paul, where the newest building features woodwork, brick and stained glass elements that echo the historic manor that has been part of the property since the 1800s. The two-year, $25 million project included renovation of the existing mansion; demolition of the former residential building; and construction of a new, 55,000 square-foot complex featuring dedicated space for outpatient treatment, mental health services and recovery support programming; patient housing; outdoor activity areas; an auditorium; a meditation room; a computer lab/classroom for vocational counseling and program groups; and a fitness room.
LEED is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. More than 92,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 2.2 million square feet of construction space in all 50 states and more than 167 countries and territories. Minnesota ranks sixth nationally in LEED-certified space per resident.
"Achieving LEED certification is more than implementing sustainable practices. It represents a commitment to making the world a better place and influencing others to do better," said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council. "Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role of the building industry in that effort, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation demonstrates leadership through its LEED certification of the St. Paul facility."
Earning LEED certification requires implementing practical and measurable design and construction strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in several categories, including:
- Sustainable site development and water efficiency – In expanding, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation developed a formerly vacated plot alongside Shepard Road and the Mississippi River and took pollution-prevention measures. More than 25 percent of the site area is "vegetative open space," complete with water-efficient landscaping that reduces potable water use by 50 percent.
- Energy and atmosphere – Compliance requirements in this area included improving electrical energy performance by 10 percent and phasing out chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants from the existing buildings.
- Materials and resource – The facility was recognized in this area for a variety of steps: from providing recycling for paper, cardboard, glass, plastic and metal to using construction materials with high-recycled content.
- Indoor environmental quality and innovation in design – LEED credits were earned in this area by increasing outside air ventilation to improve indoor air quality, providing individual lighting controls for 90 percent of individual occupants and installing low-mercury bulbs in light fixtures.
"I'm proud to say this project unfolded without a single day's interruption in the delivery of services to our patients," said Terri Hayden, executive director of Hazelden in St. Paul. "This green, healthy revitalized campus doubled capacity for our evidence-based treatment practices, enabling us to help more people at a crucial time in the opioid crisis."
About the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation's largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 17 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care to help youth and adults reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. It includes the largest recovery publishing house in the country, a fully accredited graduate school of addiction studies, an addiction research center, an education arm for medical professionals and a unique children's program, and is the nation's leader in advocacy and policy for treatment and recovery. Learn more at HazeldenBettyFord.org and on Twitter @hazldnbettyford.