Green Buildings

Boston is the first city in the nation to require a green building standard through municipal zoning requirements. By amending Article 37 of the municipal zoning code, the City requires that all large-scale projects meet the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification standards.

See Article 37, Boston's Green Building standard

Mayor Menino Breaks Ground on Phase II of Green Affordable Housing
On November 7th, Mayor Menino broke ground on Phase II of the Homes at Old Colony, Boston's newest sustainable affordable housing.
Mayor Menino, Boston Housing Authority Announce Groundbreaking at the Old Colony Public Housing Development »
Mayor Menino's "Energy Positive" Program Promotes New Generation of Green Home Building
The Energy Positive "E+" Green Building Demonstration Program, a residential design and construction initiative, will bring energy, environmentally, and equity-positive green homes to Boston's neighborhoods. The program seeks to promote the future generation of home construction.
E+ Press Release »
E Positive Boston »
Mayor Menino Introduces Boston's First LEED Platinum Skyscraper, Atlantic Wharf
On June 7th, 2012, Mayor Menino announced that Boston Properties’ Atlantic Wharf, Boston’s first skyscraper to designated LEED Platinum under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Core & Shell program. A collaborative development between the City of Boston and Boston Properties, Atlantic Wharf is a shining example of the Mayor’s transformative green building policies in Boston.
Mayor Menino Announces that Atlantic Wharf, Boston's First Green Skyscraper, Receives LEED Platinum Plaque »
Allston Green District
The Allston Green District is an eco-friendly area that will encompass seven buildings owned by the Mount Vernon Company. It will feature the city’s first innovative “Green Tenant Declaration,” three new LEED Certified Silver, Gold and Platinum residential buildings, along with three existing residential buildings and one ground-level retail space that will be upgraded with new high-efficiency heating systems, super insulated walls and additional green practices.
Green District debuts as eco-friendly area »
Allston Green District Press Release »
Castle Square Gets a Green Makeover
Castle Square, a 500 unit affordable housing complex, received a Deep Energy Retrofit achieving a 72% energy reduction and LEED Platinum certification.
www.castledeepenergy.com »
Castle Square Fact Sheet »

New Roxbury Neighborhood Police Station

The new station incorporates energy-efficient building systems as well as brand new site utility systems and achieves Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification, a globally recognized green building certification program.

Read Release »

Mayor Menino Announces Fraunhofer New Headquarters in Boston's Innovation District
Mayor Menino joined the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems to announce its company's plans to move its headquarters to Boston. Fraunhofer CSE creates jobs through transitional R&D work that takes place at the facility. The center will continue to focus on development of low-cost, high-efficiency systems, products and best practices.
Read Release »

Watch Video »

City of Boston and EPA hosted second public symposium on "Greening Government Center" February 7th, 2011
The City of Boston and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted the second symposium on the Greening of Government Center to update the public on the design process. The event took place February 7th at the Modern Theatre at 523-525 Washington St in Downtown Crossing. The symposium featured a presentation by the design firm heading the project, Utile Inc, as well as commentary from prominent Boston design experts.
Read Release »

Greening Government Center First Symposium Program 12/9/10 »

Watch Event Video »

Brighton Branch Library is City's First Renovated LEED Green Building
The Brighton branch library will be one of the first renovated City of Boston buildings that will incorporate the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership Energy Environmental Design) Commercial Interiors guidelines toward achieving LEED status.

Boston Public Library Announces Opening Date for Renovated Brighton Branch »

City Promotes Green Roofs
Under Mayor Menino's leadership, the city of Boston has initiated several green roofs projects on city-owned buildings. There is currently a green roof demonstration being exhibited on the 8th and 9th floors of City Hall. In addition, in cooperation with the Boston Schoolyard Initiative, the city has started a green roof at the Josiah Quincy School in Chinatown so students will have a great place to play and to learn about their environment.
City Hall Green Roof Demonstration Project »

Greening Municipal Operations
A Mayoral initiative designed to establish green cleaning methods, increase the purchase of environmentally preferable products, expand recycling programs in City facilities, and create a green information technology roadmap to reduce energy use.
Greening Municipal Operations »

Mayor Menino's Stretch Energy Code Ordinance
On November 17th, 2010 the Boston City Council unanimously approved a proposal submitted by Mayor Thomas M. Menino to adopt stronger energy efficiency regulations for new buildings in the City of Boston. The stretch energy code requires new residential and commercial buildings to achieve approximately 20% better energy efficiency than is required by Massachusetts' base energy code.
MA Stretch Energy Code Appendix »

Stretch Energy Code Q&A »

cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

Green Buildings

New Roxbury Neighborhood Police Station

Mayor Menino Announces Fraunhofer New Headquarters in Boston's Innovation District

City of Boston and EPA hosted second public symposium on "Greening Government Center" February 7th, 2011

Brighton Branch Library is City's First Renovated LEED Green Building

City Promotes Green Roofs

Greening Municipal Operations

Mayor Menino's Stretch Energy Code Ordinance

Environmental & Energy Services

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