Twins stadium behind the curve on LEED certification
In a June 29 article, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports that the new Minnesota Twins stadium is unlikely to win LEED certification. Those guidelines are designed to make new buildings more environmentally sound by encouraging architects and contractors to make earth-friendly decisions. HOK Sport is pursuing LEED certification on three sports stadiums: the Twins and Washington Nationals ballparks and the Gopher football stadium at the University of Minnesota. But reporter John Vomhof Jr. writes that the U.S. Green Building Council, the nonprofit that administers LEED, doesn't have specific requirements for stadiums. HOK is asking for that. When in use, ballparks tend to slurp up massive amounts of energy, but the $522 million Twins stadium could get LEED points for its proximity to mass transit, existing parking lots, use of local materials (limestone) and other features. Groundbreaking for the ballpark, which will be wedged between a garbage burner and parking ramps on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, is set for Aug. 2. (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins)