Sustainability
As a part of its commitments to the community, NYU is implementing sustainability initiatives that support water conservation, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction. Read about the progress of individual commitments in this category below.
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Building Energy Consultant
Overview: NYU will hire a qualified building energy consultant to report on the energy efficiency measures for each new building, ensuring that the construction and usage plans will result in at least 10% less energy consumption than the standards set forth in either state or city energy codes. For further reference, please review Restrictive Declaration sec 4.3 (d)(i)(B), page 50.
Current Status: A building energy consultant was hired to be part of the design and construction of the Paulson Center .
Efficient Maintenance and Operations
Overview: NYU will use alternative fuels and efficient vehicles for the maintenance and operation of the Paulson Center. For further reference, please read Restrictive Declaration section 4.3 (d)(i)(D)(iii), page 52.
Current Status: NYU includes efficient maintenance and operations for the Paulson Center.
Emissions Reduction
Overview: NYU is scheduled to switch the fuel in the central heating plant to natural gasor No. 2 fuel oil, or to an alternative fuel that will result in the same or lower emissions, before the occupation of the Paulson Center. For further reference, please review Restrictive Declaration section 4.2 (a), page 42.
Current Status: NYU has completed the switch in fuel type for the central heating plant. The plant now runs on natural gas. This Restrictive Declaration requirement is complete.
Energy Efficiency
Overview: NYU will implement and incorporate energy efficiency measures in all new buildings, including high efficiency HVAC systems, window glazing, motion sensors, and Energy Star appliances. For further reference, please review Restrictive Declaration section 4.3 (d)(i) pages 49 - 50.
Current Status: Energy efficiency measures were part of the design/construction due diligence. The Paulson Center is on target for achieving LEED Gold.
LEED Certification
Overview: NYU will use reasonable and good faith effort to obtain LEED version IV Silver Certification for the Paulson Center. For further reference, please review Restrictive Declaration section 4.3(a), page 44.
Current Status: Sustainable design features have been incorporated into the design of the building. The Paulson Center is on target for achieving LEED Gold.
Stormwater Best Management Practices
Overview: NYU will develop and implement one or more plans incorporating best management practices to reduce the rate of peak discharge to the combined sewer system on the superblocks. NYU will work with the Department of EnvironmentalProtection on this project. For further reference please review the Restrictive Declaration section 4.3(b), page 48.
Current Status: Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) are integrated into the Paulson Center and final site connection approval has been obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection.
Water Conservation
Overview: NYU will implement water conservation strategies and install measures such a slow-flow toilets and faucets in order to arrive at 20 percent less than baseline water usage for the Paulson Center. For further reference, please review Restrictive Declaration section 4.3 (c) page 49.
Current Status: Water conservation was part of the design/construction due diligence for the Paulson Center. Conservation measures will include low-flow toilets and other measures to meet LEED version IV Silver Certification.
Boiler Stack Locations
Overview: If boiler stacks are located on new buildings on the southern superblock, they are required to be located away from neighboring facilities. For the southern portion of the Paulson Center, boiler stacks are required to be at least 30 feet from any potential rooftop playgrounds and at least 128 feet away from 505 LaGuardia. The stack locations in the Paulson Center will adhere to Restrictive Declaration requirements. For further reference, please review Restrictive Declaration.
Current Status: NYU does not intend to install new boilers or boiler stacks at the Paulson Center. Hot water and chilled water will be piped from the NYU central co-generation plant located 251 Mercer Street (below the Mercer Street Plaza) directly to the Paulson Center. The cogen plant previously served the Coles gym (formerly on the site of the Paulson Center) and the lines connecting the co-gen plant to the Paulson Center have been upgraded and reconnected.
CoGen Tie-In
Overview: For greater energy efficiency, the northern portion of the Paulson Center will be connected to NYU’s cogeneration power plant. For further reference, please review Restrictive Declaration section 4.2(a), page 42.
Current Status: Co-Generation Power Plant upgrades are complete.