The Philadelphia Public Services Building achieved LEED Silver status after comprehensive renovation and reconstruction. Built in 1924, the building housed the Philadelphia Inquirer for nearly 90 years. This nationally registered historic structure is now home to the Philadelphia Police Department’s headquarters.

Building details

• Certification: LEED Silver, 2022
• Location: 400 N. Broad St.
• Size: 468,000 square feet

Sustainability measures

• New lighting and occupancy sensors with high-efficiency fluorescent and LED lightbulbs that shut off in empty rooms.
• New building control systems that automate essential building functions, creating greater energy efficiency.
• Improved insulation and weatherization to conserve energy used for heating and cooling.
• Easy access to public transportation and bike routes to reduce reliance on cars and increase accessibility for employees and visitors.
• White roofing to prevent the urban heat island effect.

The Northeast Incinerator is a former waste incinerator and transfer station. This LEED certified building was converted into a workshop, warehouse, and office space for the Department of Streets.

Building details

• Certification: LEED Certified, 2022
• Location: 3901 N. Delaware Ave.
• Size: 41,700 square feet

Sustainability measures

• Repurposed building materials by reusing an abandoned building, once home to an incinerator and then a transfer station.
• Improved indoor air quality by using an energy recovery unit with advanced filters and low-emission materials.
• Energy-efficient LED lighting.
• A combustion-free HVAC system that uses 58 water heat pumps, eliminating combustion-related emissions.

The 2nd Police District Office in Northeast Philadelphia is certified LEED Gold. The building underwent significant renovations prior to its certification. These included pedestrian-focused streetscape improvements to the surrounding site as part of the Central Northeast District Plan.

Building details

• Certification: LEED Gold, 2021
• Location: 7306 Castor Ave.
• Size: 10,748 square feet

Sustainability measures

• Improved indoor air quality by increasing air filtration and using low-emission materials.
• Repurposed existing building materials by adapting and reusing a mid-century bank building.
• Easy access to many types of transportation by improving pedestrian access and installing infrastructure for a future bike-share location.
• White roofing and native landscaping to prevent the urban heat island effect.
• A high-performance, variable refrigerant flow HVAC system generates significant energy savings.

Barry Playground in South Philadelphia is certified LEED Gold. It’s also the first Philadelphia Parks and Recreation building to attempt LEED certification. The building underwent a major renovation in 2015 and includes a pool, playground, and field spaces.

Building details

• Certification: LEED Gold, 2018
• Location: 1800 Bigler St.
• Size: 2,700 square feet

Sustainability measures

• A geothermal HVAC system that replaces baseboard heating and window air conditioning units.
• Improved insulation to conserve energy used for heating and cooling.
• New lighting and occupancy sensors with high-efficiency fluorescent and LED lightbulbs that shut off in empty rooms.
• Full site stormwater infrastructure to capture roof rainwater and water run-off.
• Ceiling fans to improve airflow and increase the capacity to heat and cool the building.
• New insulated windows to conserve energy.
• Non-toxic materials used throughout the renovation.
• New restrooms that accommodate more people.

These measures transformed the small building into a high-performance public amenity. The success of this pilot project encourages renovation projects across the city and serves as an educational tool for the community. Project partners included:

• The Department of Public Property Capital Projects team coordinator
• The Office of Sustainability
• The Philadelphia Water Department’s Office of Watersheds

One Parkway Building is the first City-owned building to receive the ENERGY STAR® label, receiving a score of 76 out of 100 in 2017. The building houses many City departments, including the Office of Sustainability. One Parkway has participated in many projects to improve energy efficiency, including:

• The Quadplex Guaranteed Energy Savings Project.
• The Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Fund (EESF).

Building details

• Certification: ENERGY STAR® Certified, 2017
• Location: 1515 Arch St.
• Size: 502,000 square feet

Sustainability measures

• Upgraded building control systems to increase energy efficiency.
• Improved insulation and weatherization to conserve energy used for heating and cooling.
• Improved lighting that replaces old bulbs with more efficient CFLs, LEDs, and T8s.
• Water conservation measures like high-efficiency, low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators for faucets.
• Steam system insulation to increase the efficiency of the heating system.
• HVAC system with high-efficiency air filters and variable frequency drives (VFDs) that allow for variable speeds to reduce wasted energy.
• Entryway improvements to reduce the amount time that automatic doors remain open, provide a tighter seal when closed, and offer updated safety controls.

The Police Department Training Center is certified LEED Silver. The building centralizes the police force’s key units, including the Training and Education Services Bureau, Advance Training Unit, and Standards and Accountability Bureau.

Building details

• Certification: LEED Silver, 2016
• Location: 2838 Woodhaven Rd.
• Size: 78,000 square feet

Sustainability measures

• New lighting and occupancy sensors with high-efficiency fluorescent and LED lightbulbs that shut off in empty rooms.
• Light pollution reduction measures like guards on outdoor lights to prevent light pollution onto nearby neighborhoods.
• Water efficient landscaping like porous pavement, sidewalks, and landscaping to control rainwater runoff.
• Innovative rainwater retention basin to prevent flooding by slowly releasing rainwater to the ground after a storm.
• Upgraded building control systems to automate essential building functions and improve energy efficiency.

To learn more about this site’s sustainability measures, view the LEED scorecard.

The Tactical Training Facility was the first City-owned building to be certified LEED Gold. The facility is located on the Philadelphia Police Academy campus and is a regional hub for police and emergency response training. The building was constructed in 2012 and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Building details

• Certification: LEED Gold, 2013
• Location: 8501 State St.
• Size: 29,000 square feet

Sustainability measures

• A geothermal HVAC system to reduce energy use.
• New lighting and occupancy sensors with high-efficiency fluorescent and LED lightbulbs that shut off in empty rooms.
• Automated building control systems that increase energy efficiency.
• Stormwater management and filtration to collect water runoff from rain and snow storms and slowly disperse it into the ground, which helps prevent flooding.
• Water conservation measures like low-flow faucets and other fixtures installed in restrooms and kitchen areas.
• Electric vehicle charging stations to charge City and personal vehicles.
• Brownfield redevelopment for the former brownfield site where the training center is located.

To learn more about this site’s sustainability measures, view the LEED scorecard.

The Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center is certified LEED Silver. The building is a short-term residential detention center in West Philadelphia, offering a variety of programs and services to youth aged 13–20. The building was constructed in 2013 and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Building details

• Certification: LEED Silver, 2013
• Location: 91 N. 48 St.
• Size: 160,000 square feet

Sustainability measures

• Reflective solar roofing to prevent the urban heat island effect.
• Stormwater management and native landscaping to prevent erosion.
• Easy access to public transportation and bike routes to reduce reliance on cars and increase accessibility for staff and visitors.
• Locally sourced and low-emitting construction materials.
• Water conservation measures like low-flow plumbing fixtures, leading to a 30% decrease in water use.
• Repurposing a mature oak tree that was removed during construction and used as flooring in the Community Room.

To learn more about this site’s sustainability measures, view the LEED scorecard.

The Department of Streets Training Center is certified LEED Silver. Built in 2012, it was the first City-owned LEED certified building, recognized for designs that promote high indoor air quality. The center provides training facilities for commercial driving courses.

Building details

• Certification: LEED Silver, 2012
• Location: 8401 State St.
• Size: 2,900 square feet

Sustainability measures

• Upgraded building control systems to automate essential building functions and improve energy efficiency.
  
• New lighting and occupancy sensors with high-efficiency fluorescent and LED lightbulbs that shut off in empty rooms.
  
• A heat deflecting roof that uses reflective colors and a steep gradient to help prevent the urban heat island effect.
  
• Water conservation measures like low-flow faucets, leading to a 45% decrease in water use.
  
• Water efficient landscaping with downspouts that direct water to porous gravel around the building.
  
• Daylighting that provides access to daylight in 90% of the building space.
  
• Low-emission and non-toxic construction materials.
  
• Increased ventilation for better air flow throughout the building.
  

To learn more about this project’s sustainability measures, view the LEED scorecard.