BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The proposed South Side Bethlehem Cultural Arts Center still is expected to be constructed with environmentally-friendly materials.
But project developer ArtsQuest got clarification at the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission meeting Thursday.
- The proposed South Side Bethlehem Cultural Arts Center got clarification regarding just how eco-friendly it is expected to constructed
- Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is asking for "some green technology"
- The project is planned for the site of the Banana Factory on West Third Street.
At LVPC’s Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday, ArtsQuest was urged to incorporate environmentally-friendly materials in the construction of the five-story, 78,855-square-foot cultural arts center.
It's proposed to be built on the site of the Banana Factory at 25 W. Third St.
At that meeting, ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert voiced concern over the increased costs that such a mandate would be beyond the current $22 million project.
“We’re just asking for some green technology to be incorporated into the project.”Steve Melnick, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
"I know there is more expense'
On Thursday, the commission cleared up what earlier in the week was a misunderstanding.
“I know there is more expense,” commission member Rick Molchany said during the all-virtual meeting. “But we’re not searching for a LEED facility. We’re just asking for consideration for sustainable development practices.”
Added Commission Chairman Steve Melnick: “We’re just asking for some green technology to be incorporated into the project.”
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building certification program and the globally recognized standard for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
Generally speaking, building green is intended to yield some or all of the following benefits: lowering energy, water, waste disposal, emissions, operations and maintenance costs; increasing productivity and health of building occupants; and increasing building values.
LEEDs Design Green Building Rating System, on the other hand, is a rating system; a way of measuring how green a building has been built or is operating — how effective is the building in achieving those enumerated benefits based on certain universally understood tools and performance criteria.
'Doing a reasonable amount'
Hilgert was appreciative of the clarification. She said plans for the project include exceeding the energy code, investigating recycled content materials and installing rain gardens to filter stormwater.
“We are doing a reasonable amount to build a sustainable project."ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert
“We are doing a reasonable amount to build a sustainable project,” Hilgert said.
Hilgert said Tuesday the nonprofit is finalizing the center's building design.
“There are certain green materials we can use, but they can be extraordinarily expensive,” she said. “Our goal is to build a new cultural space for the entire community. But we have to be mindful of the costs.”
Bethlehem Planning Commission Director Darlene Heller on Tuesday said the city has an environmental advisory committee that is included in the project. But the issue hasn’t come to the planning committee for public review.
Higher cost, but cost-effective
On Thursday, Heller emphasized the cultural arts center building design is a project the city is anxious to have completed.
Research findings by the International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology reveal that the base costs of constructing a green building can be up to 16% higher than conventional building.
Green building materials are significantly more eco-friendly, sustainable and more expensive than conventional materials.
However, data shows green buildings are more cost-effective in the long run since they have fewer operational costs.
Research findings by the International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology reveal that the base costs of constructing a green building can be up to 16% higher than conventional building.
Green buildings require specially designed fittings and finishes to promote sustainability, including lighting and flooring materials. Installing those features can be 28% to 32% more costly than in conventional buildings.
Examples of green products and materials are energy efficient, renewable energy, such as solar; renewable resources such as recycled materials; and those materials with low-impact on the environment and health, such as paint that consists of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are chemicals that evaporate and can lead to indoor air quality problems.
