The goal is not only to achieve the most exclusive designation from the body by being as green as possible, but to show that becoming more environmentally friendly can give companies financial advantages, Witkin said.
“The model we’re trying to put forth to [clients] is that it makes good economic sense to go green,” Witkin said. “It’s not just the warm, fuzzy side.”
Citadel’s single-story office takes advantage of natural light to keep the office bright without electricity, he said.
The company also recycled about 85% of the materials removed from the building, constructed in 1973, and used the material in its renovation, he said.
For power, Citadel installed a 120-panel solar array on its roof, expected to generate at least 45,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, more than enough power for the property, he said.
Witkin admits that there have been substantial costs in making some of the green property improvements, but with a series of available rebates and credits from utility and government programs, the company expects to save money from the upgrades.
And the benefits could go beyond operational costs, he said.
“There are some first costs installing it,” Witkin said of the changes, which included the nearly $300,000 solar array. “But the facility costs less to operate, it increases the value of the asset, it increases the desirability of the property, the employees are more content, and they’re proud of the facility that they work in, and we’ve seen all of that first-hand.”
