Even Parking Lots Can Get LEED Certified

Why would a parking garage be eligible for LEED certification when the goal is get rid of cars in cities? It turns out that as much as 30% of the congestion in major cities is caused by cars circling and idling while they search for parking. Cities would have lots less cars driving around if they didn’t have to look for spaces, leaving more room for public transport, walking, bicycling and just breathing better air. The time consuming practice of circling city blocks or driving up and down garage ramps searching for open parking spaces frustrates drivers, wastes gas and contributes to global warming and deteriorating air quality. Parking lots and garages also takes up a lot of space – a Facebook page devoted to parking in Columbus, Ohio points out that 233 acres or 24% of the city’s developable land is consumed by parking lots. One solution is automated parking garages, which VLF Development LLC is about to pioneer in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. Its Green ParkTM Eco Garage will be the first LEED-Gold certified parking facility in the U.S. Its patented automated parking system will double or triple the number of cars that can be parked with a smaller […]

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