The Green & Main initiative creates community revitalization through sustainable renovation.
Green & Main is an initiative focused on the social and environmental transformation of existing buildings and neighborhoods into sustainable communities.
Through its renovation and rehabilitation efforts, Green & Main gives new life and purpose to historic buildings and neighborhoods that may otherwise fall into decay or continue to operate with overly-intensive energy use. Green & Main’s use of environmentally conscious designs, and building methods and materials make a long-term, positive impact on our communities and our planet. Learn more »
Latest Updates on Green & Main
Historic Preservation Resources
The National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior provides guidelines that the Green & Main Pilot Project follows as it merges energy efficient technology with historical preservation. This article provides links to various online resources for these areas.
Read More»Posted In: Historic Preservation
Recent Construction: Site Development and Seasonal Preparation
October is typically a month of extremes, when temperatures and temperaments often span the whole spectrum. Anticipation of the first freeze, the first measurable snowfall and bitter northern rains can easily dampen schedules and moods. We were blessed, however, with incredible weather, and my gratitude extends to the many people who stretched themselves to meet the pilot project deadlines.
Read More»Posted In: Construction Updates, E-Newsletter, Stormwater Management
Join ‘The Tomorrow Plan’ this Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Join The Tomorrow Plan this coming Tuesday, November 22nd, for a strategic conversation in planning a sustainable future for Greater Des Moines. The Natural Living Community has been asked to help shape the future of Greater Des Moines. Let your voice be heard at a public conversation for The Tomorrow Plan, a 20-month process to craft a strategy for a vibrant and enduring future in the Greater Des Moines area. Your opinion will be influential in shaping the planning of our community for our generation and those that follow.
Read More»Posted In: Community, Events
Soil Management and Erosion Control at Green & Main
Teeming with life-giving organisms that transform inorganic minerals in the ground into food for flora, soil is a vibrant and diverse ecosystem. It is a fundamental building block of life. When embarking on any building or renovation project, managing soils and the handling of erosion control may be one of the first thoughts to occur. [...]
Read More»Posted In: E-Newsletter, Stormwater Management
What is LEED Certification and What Does it Mean to Green & Main?
What is LEED? LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a multi-tiered voluntary rating system for the construction, renovation and/or rehabilitation of buildings. Administered by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), LEED classification reflects the spectrum of the environmental performance of a building. The Council is comprised of engineers, architects, designers and building officials, who, through committee and in adherence to USGBC policy and procedure, develop and guide the rating systems.
Read More»Posted In: Construction Updates, E-Newsletter
Windows: Opening a New Perspective on Historic Renovation
Renovating a historic 1930′s brick building presents many challenges. Renovating that same building to exceptionally high energy standards adds further layers of complexity to the project. Fortunately, for a vacant 5,000-square foot brick storefront in Des Moines’ Sherman Hill neighborhood, developer Chaden Halfhill has not shied away from these challenges.
Read More»Posted In: Construction Updates, E-Newsletter, Sustainability
