The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation announced today that Sturgis Hall, the restored 1899 Choctaw passenger train station adjacent to the Clinton Presidential Library, has received Gold LEED certification from the United States Green Building Council.
The Earth Day announcement makes the 115 year-old Clinton School building the oldest building in Arkansas to be LEED certified and one of the oldest university buildings in the world.
Jason Hartke, vice president of national policy with the United States Green Building Council, presented Debbie Shock, director of operations and facilities for the Clinton Presidential Center, with the award during a morning press conference in Little Rock. Shock was the project coordinator. Stephanie Streett, executive director of the Clinton Foundation and Skip Rutherford, dean of the Clinton School both spoke at the event.
In August 2009, the Clinton School received a stimulus grant from Governor Mike Beebe to implement sustainable and maintenance practices for reducing the environmental impact of the building. Shock said utility bills costs have already been lowered by $38,000 annually and water usage has been significantly curtailed.
“This LEED designation confirms that higher education, historic preservation and environmental protection can work hand in hand,” Rutherford said. “Outcomes do matter and the successful greening of this historic passenger train station is a collaboration that has worked.”
http://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-presidential-center
http://www.clintonschool.uasys.edu
http://www.usgbc.org/