In N. Phila., a nonprofit takes a new, green step
By Diane Mastrull
April 11, 2010
As a Catholic nun, Sister Ann Provost has long believed in the power of prayer.
But the sun's might in knocking dollars off the electric bill? Or the ability of automatic sink faucets to seriously cut down on water waste?
That's new territory for the executive director of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries of Philadelphia, a nonprofit community group serving the Tioga neighborhood. Yet into that foreign terrain she has taken a giant leap of faith.
When Mercy purchased a West Venango Street factory building dating from 1919 for $225,000 in July 2005, Sister Provost led a search for an architect to convert the crumbling brick hulk into an inviting community center. Some of the firms that responded suggested she consider a revitalization that would meet the U.S. Green Building Council standards for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
"To be honest, we didn't know what that meant," Sister Provost recalled during an interview last week.
They do now. In October, the Mercy Family Center became the first LEED-certified building in North Philadelphia, earning a silver rating for green features incorporated into its nearly $7 million redesign.
They include five skylights, to reduce artificial-lighting needs, and interior walls that do not reach to the ceiling, to maximize the use of natural light and air flow.
A white roof helps keep the building cool in summer. Toilets have dual-flush capacity, to allow for more or less water use depending on the need. Outside, a native-plant garden replaces what used to be paved parking lots.
As it turns out, LEED is a perfect fit, Sister Provost said: "As Sisters of Mercy, care of the environment and all the resources we have been given are a top priority. We were able to take it a step forward."
But the sun's might in knocking dollars off the electric bill? Or the ability of automatic sink faucets to seriously cut down on water waste?
That's new territory for the executive director of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries of Philadelphia, a nonprofit community group serving the Tioga neighborhood. Yet into that foreign terrain she has taken a giant leap of faith.
When Mercy purchased a West Venango Street factory building dating from 1919 for $225,000 in July 2005, Sister Provost led a search for an architect to convert the crumbling brick hulk into an inviting community center. Some of the firms that responded suggested she consider a revitalization that would meet the U.S. Green Building Council standards for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
"To be honest, we didn't know what that meant," Sister Provost recalled during an interview last week.
They do now. In October, the Mercy Family Center became the first LEED-certified building in North Philadelphia, earning a silver rating for green features incorporated into its nearly $7 million redesign.
They include five skylights, to reduce artificial-lighting needs, and interior walls that do not reach to the ceiling, to maximize the use of natural light and air flow.
A white roof helps keep the building cool in summer. Toilets have dual-flush capacity, to allow for more or less water use depending on the need. Outside, a native-plant garden replaces what used to be paved parking lots.
As it turns out, LEED is a perfect fit, Sister Provost said: "As Sisters of Mercy, care of the environment and all the resources we have been given are a top priority. We were able to take it a step forward."