Commitment To Sustainability

Since the onset of planning for the facility, MMPI has aggressively implemented its long-standing practice of sustainability and protection of the environment into the design, construction, and operation of Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center (Cleveland MMCC).

LEED CERTIFICATION

MMPI is pursuing LEED Silver Certification for Cleveland MMCC through a comprehensive sustainability plan, including reducing the quantity of water needed in the design by using more efficient fixtures, optimizing energy efficiency through lighting and HVAC designs, purchasing materials with less environmental impact, and eliminating sources of indoor air pollution during demolition, construction and management of the facility.

Van Auken Akins Architects LLC has directed extensive LEED workshops with the entire design, architectural, and construction teams, including monthly LEED progress meetings and regular onsite inspections during demolition and construction, in pursuit of LEED Silver Certification.

RECYCLING DURING CONSTRUCTION

One of the most visible sustainability efforts occurring during the demolition of the existing structure is the aggressive recycling program. No less than 95% of the debris from the facility is slated for recycling and reuse, including a variety of materials such as metal, tin, aluminum, copper, brass, and concrete.

As the debris is separated, nearly 100 trucks daily move in continuously from St. Clair Avenue to pick up loads, circling under the massive equipment and then moving off site. The trucks unload the demolished concrete for further crushing at a site located along the east bank of the Flats to allow the material to be reused as aggregate.

As of April 2, 2011, a total of 83,390 cubic yards of material (not including soil) have been removed from the site.

Concrete	The concrete materials are removed from the site and transported to the crushing station located along the east bank of the Flats. Approximately 20-25% of the crushed concrete will be re-used on-site for stone fill as well as sidewalk and roadway bedding materials. The remaining 75-80% of the material will be used for other construction projects in Northeast Ohio. Crushed concrete from Cleveland MMCC is already being used on the Innerbelt Bridge project as well at the East Bank of the Flats project
Soil	100% of soil materials are being recycled locally in the northeast Ohio area. Soil from Cleveland MMCC is already being used on the Innerbelt Bridge project, the East Bank of the Flats project and other local projects.
Steel and copper	The materials are sorted and being recycled as scrap.The scrap is melted in blast furnaces and returned to the manufacturing process for new products.
Brick and masonry block	Materials are sized and crushed for reuse. The bricks are chipped up and used to produce a new type of mulch.
Wood	Material is reused as mulch in Northeast Ohio.
Gypsum board	Material is kept internal to the sorting company to amend soil for use in northeast Ohio.
Plastic, cardboard and paper	Materials are sent to general recycling facilities to be processed and entered into the manufacturing process for new products.

DESIGNING WITH GREEN IN MIND

The comprehensive sustainability plan for the new Cleveland MMCC includes building the new Convention Center below grade with a green roof. The new Convention Center will replace the existing below-grade structure but will enhance the mall with extensive additional plant life and soil materials that more efficiently filter storm water. The new mall also features water-efficient landscaping using minimal water, including a plan for drought-tolerant plants to reduce water consumption.

The Medical Mart will feature extensive natural lighting, reducing the need for and usage of artificial lighting. The Convention Center will also provide extensive windows for natural lighting, particularly the Lakeside Avenue entrance and Lake Erie overlook from the Grand Ballroom. The white reflective roof on the above-ground Medical Mart will reduce heat gain in the facility and lessen energy usage.

The facility design includes significant water and lighting reduction plans, including the use of motion sensors, low flow washroom fixtures, processing of lower water loads in sinks throughout the facility, and reduced wattage per square foot using facility-wide dimmers and light reduction systems that will save energy by controlling lighting usage. The construction plan includes utilizing existing lighting technology but also planning for future development by installing fixtures that will accommodate higher-efficiency, emerging LED technologies. MMPI will further lessen the environmental impact of the new facility by utilizing existing utilities rather than building and operating a separate HVAC system.

MMPI has implemented the usage of low- and no-VOC paint materials, cleaning products, and building materials in its facilities across the country and will carry this sustainability practice into Cleveland MMCC. The facility will feature floor mats at every entrance to reduce the amount of debris carried into the building thus requiring less cleaning materials.

Finally, Cleveland MMCC and the mall will encourage and embrace the usage of alternate transportation, including the creation of 275 bike racks on the malls, efficient and nearby connections to RTA bus and rail lines, and the elimination of parking spaces.