YWCA’s New Green Roof Contributes to Revitalization of the Wood Street Corridor
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The 42-year-old YWCA building at 305 Wood Street received a $175,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and Eden Hall Foundation to build a new green roof.
The new retro-fitted roof will protect the building envelope from moisture penetration, with a final layer of plantscaping, and is scheduled to be completed by late Fall of this year. Benefits of the new roof will include a longer material lifespan, energy savings, sound insulation, and improved aesthetic appeal and air quality for the neighborhood.
The roof, which the YWCA hopes will contribute to securing LEED certification, will be a landmark for the green revitalization of the Wood Street corridor, and it’s coming at a great time. Point Park University‘s new $244 million state of the art Academic Village is under construction nearby.
“In the spirit of being a good neighbor as Point Park undertakes this effort, we would like to restore and aesthetically enhance our facility to become a part of this transformation, as well as create a more environmentally friendly option that safely houses our programs and services,” says Carmelle Nickens Phillips, Vice President of the YWCA‘s department of Development and Communications.
Following the Richard King Mellon Foundation and Eden Hall grant, several other local foundations stepped up to help provide support for the new roof, including FISA Foundation, The Hillman Foundation, the PNC Foundation, and one anonymous source.
Writer: John Farley
Sources: Carmelle Nickens Phillips, VP of YWCA department of Development and Communications