Community Center Contruction Update.... Check Out the Construction-Cam!
The Ocean City Community Center will be the City’s first green building. Many steps are being taken to provide for energy efficiency, reduce waste, and limit the operating costs of the Center.
The first phase of construction on the Community Center is completed which includes the new Senior Center and expanded space for the Library and Aquatic & Fitness Center. Phase II is underway, which includes the construction of a new front entrance, renovations to the existing Library and the first floor of the Aquatic & Fitness Center.
The entire Community Center project is expected to be completed in mid 2010.
“The City is doing all it can to control utility costs and this building will be a good example of what can be done to save energy,” noted City Administrator Jim Rutala.
Energy efficient lighting is being installed throughout the building and daylighting will be employed in the new areas to provide for natural lighting.
The ceiling tiles are being removed to retrofit the building with a fire suppression system. Most of the ceiling tiles are being recycled by Armstrong Ceilings. One ton of ceiling tiles recycled will save:
· 456kg CO2 equivalents of greenhouse gas emitted, the global impact of not driving a car 3,675 miles
· 11 tons of virgin raw material, which saves 1,892 gallons of potable water
· 1,390 kWh of electricity – the monthly energy to power a home for 1.4months
Solar panels that have been installed on the roof of this sprawling complex are already providing electric to the building reducing the rising cost of power.
Much of the carpet that is being removed will be recycled and the new carpet squares are manufactured by Interact and include 38 percent recycled content.
The Center is also designed to encourage residents to use alternative means of transportation. More bike racks will be added as the Community Center is located on the Haven Avenue Bike Route – a City street that has been transformed to a safe bikeway by reducing the speed limit. Haven Avenue also displays a new sharrow symbol on the street, unique signage that brands the bike route as well as four way stop signs. The Haven Avenue Bike Route provides access to the Community Center from the downtown area and downbeach neighborhoods.
Also the County senior citizen fare free transit and summer trolley service will serve the expanded Community Center making it more accessible by residents and visitors of all ages.
The Community Center will not be the City’s only green building. The new Visitor’s Center that will be built by the State as part of the massive Route 52 Causeway Reconstruction will be powered by solar and geothermal energy.
The Community Center improvements are being funded by the Ocean City Library Board, County of Cape May, various grants and private contributions.
During construction, access to the Library, Arts Center and Museum will be provided on the 17th Street side of the new North addition. Access to the Aquatic & Fitness Center and Senior Center will be provided on the 18th Street side of the new South addition. The Library Book drop has been relocated to the 17th street side entrance.
The new parking lots to the north and south of the Community Center are now open.