This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Tracy Aviary has received LEED Gold certification for its new visitors center.
The center is the aviary's second LEED Gold building, a certification that signifies the structure is among the most eco-firendly and energy-efficient in the state.
It was built by Big D Construction and designed by AJC architects and opened in December. Among the sustainable features incorporated in the building are:
• Bird-safe window treatments that reduce bird strikes and resulting injuries
• Pre-cleansing and retention of roof storm water through the use of retention and detention ponds
• A rooftop photovoltaic system that provides more than 13 percent of the building's electrical needs, and;
• The use of more than 20 percent recycled materials in the center's construction.
The Aviary, which is located inside Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, maintains a collection of approximately 400 birds representing about 135 species. Many of its birds are considered rare or endangered.
The LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, rating and certification system was established by the eco-friendly U.S. Green Building Council as a framework for green building design, construction, operations and maintenance.