Madison Hy-Vee earns LEED Gold certification

WEST DES MOINES, IA - The new Hy-Vee supermarket in Madison, WI has been awarded the prestigious LEEDGold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. This is the first Hy-Vee store to achieve recognition under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification system, the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. 

Mike Smith, director of real estate and sustainability for Hy-Vee, said the company is pleased to have earned the Gold (second-highest) level certification on its first LEED application. 

"Hy-Vee's long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility is reflected in every aspect of our store operations," Smith said. "By designing and building stores that meet the highest standards for sustainability, we are fulfilling our company's mission of making lives easier, healthier and happier." 

Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC, said the Madison Hy-Vee's LEED certification demonstrates leadership in green building practices. 

"Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems," Fedrizzi said. "The Madison Hy-Vee project efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations." 

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a project meets international standards for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings. The system promotes a "whole building" approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Credits are earned for achievement in each of these categories, with additional credits awarded for innovation in design. Based on total credits, one of four levels of LEED certification - Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum - may be awarded to the project. 

Jeff Markey, assistant vice president of engineering and construction for Hy-Vee, said the Madison store site was selected based on its proximity to public transportation and residential neighborhoods and the potential to incorporate portions of the existing building and parking lot. 

"The store was designed to maximize reuse of the existing structure," Markey said. "This was an abandoned retail site that we were able to put back into service for the community." 

Among the other green features of the project that helped it earn LEED Gold certification:

Dennis Ausenhus senior vice president of real estate and engineering for Hy-Vee, said the company's $16 million investment in the Madison store and its decision to build the store to LEED certification standards are evidence of Hy-Vee's desire to be a good neighbor and a catalyst for change in the community.

"It's gratifying to have our efforts recognized with LEED Gold certification, but from the outset, our primary goal has been to redevelop this site to provide an aesthetic, economic and environmental boost to the community," Ausenhus said. "By all those measures, our new Madison store has been a success."