Pomona, CA – Cal Poly Pomona has earned the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification for a parking structure in California. Parking Structure 2 earned a bronze certificate from Parksmart, which is a component of the U.S Green Building Council’s LEED rating system.

Parksmart is the world’s only rating system for sustainable practices in parking structure management, programming, design and technology.

Opened in September 2016, Parking Structure 2 cost $41 million and added 1,800 much needed spaces to campus. The three-level structure includes solar panels that generate an estimated 8 percent of the campus electricity, automatic lighting that dims when people are not present, and 24 charging stations for electric vehicles.

The facility also offers Wi-Fi, secure bicycle storage, rideshare parking, and four stops for shuttles, including a stop connecting campus buses to the local transit agency, Foothill Transit. In addition, university officials used locally sourced concrete, recycling asphalt that had paved former Parking Lot K and hired local workers to shorten commutes.

“We are extremely proud of this enormous achievement, the hard work and careful planning that went into this project,” said President Soraya M. Coley. “This is another outstanding example of how Cal Poly Pomona is leading the way in sustainable building practices. Sustainability is at the forefront of the university’s vision and mission.”

This newest recognition for sustainable building practices is the fifth for Cal Poly Pomona. Both the Collins College of Hospitality Management’s Building 80 and the Bronco Recreation and Intramural Center earned LEED Gold, while the College of Business and the Residential Suites Phase II were recognized with LEED Silver. The university currently has two projects under construction, a new Student Services Center and a new student housing complex, aiming for LEED Gold.

Parksmart certification recognizes parking structures that promote energy efficiency and performance; reduce environmental impact; stress efficient parking structure management; integrate sustainable mobility services and technologies; offer commuting options; and build community relationships.

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