With just a few weeks until the grand opening of the Delaware Water Gap Welcome Center, Department of General Services Secretary James P. Creedon hosted a tour of the facility this week to outline its energy-saving design features.

The new, state-of-the art Pennsylvania Welcome Center, off Interstate 80 in the Delaware Water Gap, will feature environmentally-friendly, green-design initiatives designed to save energy and cut operating costs, part of the Commonwealth’s goal to reduce energy costs by 15 percent in 2007.

In December 2004, Gov. Rendell placed DGS in charge of an energy management and conservation campaign that requires long-term planning for reduced energy consumption by every executive-branch agency.

From geothermal heating and cooling to a roof planted with landscaped shrubs, the new Center will show off a variety of green building techniques.

The new facility replaces a welcome center that was built in 1956 and is one of the oldest visitor centers in the state. Construction began on the new building in September 2004.

The new building was built to adhere to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, or LEED.

LEED represents the U.S. Green Building Council’s efforts to develop a standard that improves environmental and economic performance of commercial buildings, using established and/or advanced industry principles, practices, materials and standards.

The project was designed by Maria C. Romanach Architects of Philadelphia.

PennDOT will be responsible for operating the new 12,721-square-foot building once it opens.

For more information, visit the Delaware Water Gap website.

5/12/2006