Apr 2, 2008 5:50 pm US/Eastern
Miami City Hall Goes Environmentally Friendly
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
At one time, Miami City Hall, like other governmental buildings, did not have an environmentally friendly stance or position, but now its building is incorporating energy-efficient technology to be an example of taking on 'green initiatives' across South Florida.
The building now features a one-of-a-kind solar grove that is using solar energy to help power city hall. The energy savings have been exceptional.
"In just this office alone, this office uses 60% less energy," said its innovator Paul Polizzoto of
EcoMedia, who is a partner with
CBS4 in allowing such initiatives to occur.
"The big picture obviously is that we are protecting the environment. But, the thing I think people need to understand that whether its at home in your business, or in city hall which is everybody's home, what we are doing is saving the taxpayers a tremendous amount of money," Mayor Diaz said about the building.
One of the challenges of designing a city hall with an environmentally friendly focus was the weather dangers in South Florida. The free-standing solar panels are engineered to withstand hurricane force winds. Plus, specially designed filters outfit the 16 drains around city hall to prevent garbage and sludge from getting into the bay.
The new focus on cleaning up the environment in and around Miami seems to be paying off. Forbes magazine just named Miami the cleanest city in America.
The greening of Miami has even drawn praise from the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Christie Todd Whitman. "I think it's really exciting, because what it proves is this can happen today. It's not just something in the future. It is something that is practicable now. It can happen today and you need leaders, like Mayor Diaz and this city to show it can happen.," Whitman said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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