Municipal Building Green Roof ProjectA State College Borough Sustainability Initiative

On October 18th, the 1,400 square foot rooftop over the community room was transformed from a conventional roof into an

environmentally friendly,

aesthetically pleasing,

and energy efficient

State College Goes Green

Municipal Building Green Roof Project

What is a “Green Roof?”• Also known as rooftop gardens, green roofs are

vegetated surfaces planted over an existing roof structure to help:▫Reduce building temperatures

▫Filter pollution (CO2, Particulate Matter, Acid Rain)

▫Reduce Green House Gas Emissions

▫Reduce stormwater runoff

▫Reduce elevated urban temperatures

▫Restore urban wildlife habitat

▫Prolong the service life of the roof

Municipal Building Green Roof Project

Growing the Plants

At the nursery, the plants were established in plastic planter modules which allow for ample drainage

At the nursery, the plants were established in plastic planter modules which allow for ample drainageThe plastic containers were

filled with an engineered soil that also improves drainage

The plastic containers were filled with an engineered soil that also improves drainage

Municipal Building Green Roof Project

Growing the Plants

Municipal Building Green Roof Project

The plants are grown in individual modules that allow water to move from

module to module once installed

The plants are grown in individual modules that allow water to move from

module to module once installed

The Borough chose to plant low growing sedums in a variety of

colors and textures

The Borough chose to plant low growing sedums in a variety of

colors and texturesPlants growing at the nursery reached

maturity prior to installationPlants growing at the nursery reached

maturity prior to installation

Building the Green Roof

Prior to installation, laborers installed a waterproof membrane

Prior to installation, laborers installed a waterproof membrane

Laborers reviewed the plans with

Borough Arborist, Alan SamLaborers reviewed the plans with

Borough Arborist, Alan SamThe truck arrived with pallets of

green roof planter modulesThe truck arrived with pallets of

green roof planter modulesThe plants were hoisted by

crane to the second story roofThe plants were hoisted by

crane to the second story roof

Municipal Building Green Roof Project

On installation day, one lane of Allen St. was closed to traffic

On installation day, one lane of Allen St. was closed to traffic

Installing the Plants

The trays of plants were lowered onto the second story roof

The trays of plants were lowered onto the second story roof

Each tray carried up to 36 plantersEach tray carried up to 36 planters

The individual modules were pieced together to form a contiguous green roof

The individual modules were pieced together to form a contiguous green roof

Halfway to completion the roof began to take shape

Halfway to completion the roof began to take shape

Municipal Building Green Roof Project

The Finished Green Roof

Over the next year the green roof will be monitored and weeded to encourage complete establishment of the diverse plant mix. Once the plants are established, little maintenance other than an annual mowing and continued monitoring will be required for the roof to last up to fifty years.

The Green Roof Project at the Municipal Building is only one of many environmental projects being pursued by the Borough of State College. This project along with the other sustainability initiatives will be used as educational tools to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices by residents and commercial businesses in the Borough.

Over the next year the green roof will be monitored and weeded to encourage complete establishment of the diverse plant mix. Once the plants are established, little maintenance other than an annual mowing and continued monitoring will be required for the roof to last up to fifty years.

The Green Roof Project at the Municipal Building is only one of many environmental projects being pursued by the Borough of State College. This project along with the other sustainability initiatives will be used as educational tools to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices by residents and commercial businesses in the Borough.

Municipal Building Green Roof Project

• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Grant

• The Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Grant

Funding

• Thanks to grant funding less than 20% of total project costs came from local general funds

• Grants funding the project:

Municipal Building Green Roof Project