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Aug 14, 2007 7:41 pm US/Central
New Green Roof Opens On Magnificent Mile Building
Native Plants Helping Keep 900 N. Michigan Ave. Cool, While Saving On Energy Costs
by Diann Burns
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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The newly installed green roof at the Residences at 900 North Michigan has flowers that will bloom year-round. The plants help reduce flooding and cut down on energy costs.
CBS
Chicago's green movement has a brand new star. Mayor Richard M. Daley Tuesday morning cut the ribbon on a new green roof 150 feet above the Magnificent Mile.
As CBS 2's Diann Burns reports, the green roof of the Residences at 900 North Michigan is full of native plants, ornamental grasses and flowers that will bloom year-round. But this urban meadow is more than just a pretty face. There's function along with form.
"The advantages of a green roof include reducing storm water runoff, lowering building temperatures, reducing energy requirements of a building," Daley said Tuesday.
Because the roof is lined with plants instead of tar, the building absorbs less heat and requires less air conditioning. The plants reflect the sun's heat, cooling the air. They release rainwater gradually, reducing the chance of water damage and flooding.
But structurally, putting a green roof on an existing building can be weighty issue. You can even damage or puncture the roof.
So, project manager Douglas Hoerr and his team put sturdy, but lightweight Styrofoam under the surface of the roof at 900 North Michigan.
CBS 2 has followed the progress of this green roof over the last year, all the way from barren to beautiful.
"This has been a wonderful experience from what it was 15 months ago – a running track that felt like the Sahara, to a meadow, Hoerr, of Douglas Hoerr Landscape Architecture, said.
For the mayor, it's just one more example that the private and public sectors can work together to help the environment and beautify Chicago.
"Nature can co-exist with the city. And that's what you're seeing right here," Daley said.
The City of Chicago has lots of resources to help homeowners and businesses that want to install green roofs.
Just call the
Department of Environment at (312) 744-7606.
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