In 2013, Urban Health Plan expanded its services with the Simpson Pavilion, a state-of-the-art facility that received LEED Silver certification in April, 2019.
The Simpson Pavilion, an expansion building to Urban Health Plan’s main site, enables to care for an additional 20,000 South Bronx residents. It houses UHP’s adult medicine, walk-in, pediatrics, behavioral health and OB/GYN departments as well as a gym for patients and a teaching kitchen designed by the chefs of the renowned Canyon Ranch Institute.
The Simpson Pavilion was financed through a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the New York City Council, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., and new market tax credits (NMTC). The combined $37.8 million NMTC transaction was structured with funds from Enterprise, a national leader in community development and one of the largest allocates of NMTC, the Nonprofit Finance Fund and Stonehenge Community Development. Goldman Sachs provided NMTC equity to the project as well as debt financing.
Why Build Green?
The buildings where we work, live and play have significant impacts on our environment, our economy and our health. In the United States, they account for 70% of the electricity, 40% of the raw materials and 12% of the potable water we use each year, while producing 39% of our CO2 emissions. Green building practices have many benefits such as conservation of natural resources, reduction of operating costs, and creation of a healthier and more comfortable place to live and work.*
LEED is transforming the way we think about how buildings and communities are designed, constructed, maintained and operated across the globe.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for their project.
The number of points a project earns determines the level of LEED certification. There are four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Why choose LEED?
LEED certification is recognized across the globe as the premier mark of achievement in green building. The Simpson Pavilion is certified at the Gold level.
*Adapted from US Green Building Council. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org
Simpson Pavilion Green Features:
Sustainable Project Location: This new building sits on an existing urban site in a densely populated community. The community is greatly enhanced by a convenient and close healthcare provider. The building has been fitted with highly efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems, bringing it up to the top level of energy efficiency. This reduces the use of natural resources and reduces green house emissions.
UHP used non-carcinogenic materials (glues, paints, inks) that are free of chemicals that can be harmful to your health.
Sustainable Transportation Options: The majority of building users can arrive on foot or via mass transportation (subway or bus). They can also use a special parking space for hybrid vehicles or make use of the building’s secure storage for bicycles.
Sustainable Green Roof: Vegetated roof surfaces are an aesthetic feature for occupants and a functional feature that mitigates the heat island effect and reduces storm water runoff. The green roof reduces the building’s energy consumption and as a result lowers its carbon footprint.
Sustainable Operation: The building’s recycling program helps occupants continue to divert materials from landfills.
UHP policy is to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to minimize waste and protect our natural resources.
Sustainable Energy: Energy-efficient LED lighting illuminates all of the interior spaces. Green power sources reduce the environmental impact from the building’s energy consumption.
UHP buys electricity generated from renewable resources – such as wind, sun, water, or biomass. Using green power helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels, such as oil, gas, and coal. UHP uses LED lamps; this type of lamp is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixture that saves energy and lasts much longer than conventional light fixtures. The use of LED lamps decreased energy consumption by 17%. (Typical lighting uses five times as much electricity and the lamps need to be replaced ten times more often). UHP uses sunlight to generate electricity by installing solar photovoltaic panels.
Sustainable Construction and Material: Materials containing recycled content, regionally sourced and sustainably harvested wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) were used throughout the building. Construction waste from the construction site was sorted and diverted from landfills. Construction waste diverted is what is “saved” and recycled (which is sold and reused). Four hundred and forty tons (85%) of the construction waste from the project was diverted from landfills and recycled. This included metals, wood, plastics, gypsum board, papers/cardboard, and masonry materials. We used recycled (31%) and local materials (49%) such as steel, and concrete.
Sustainable Project Location: This new building sits on an existing urban site in a densely populated community. The community is greatly enhanced by a convenient and close healthcare provider.
Sustainable Project Location: This new building sits on an existing urban site in a densely populated community. The community is greatly enhanced by a convenient and close healthcare provider.