Green Lake Branch Renovation Project Achieves LEED-Gold Certification

This May, the Seattle Public Library’s Green Lake Branch renovation project received LEED-Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation’s foremost nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering energy-efficient and environmentally responsible building design.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green-building certification system in the world. It evaluates building projects based on important environmental criteria, including the extent to which they prevent or reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air-quality and energy efficiency and performance, utilize materials sustainably and promote environmentally conscious design.

The Green Lake Branch renovation project’s LEED-Gold certification recognizes its significant benefits in reducing carbon emissions and water usage, optimizing energy performance, utilizing low-emitting, sustainable materials in construction, preventing and reducing construction waste, and other green building improvements.

One of the most significant benefits of the project is its impact to reduce carbon emissions. By replacing the fossil fuel-powered furnace with a modern, electric HVAC system, the project is on track to reduce carbon emissions by 20-30 metric tons per year. With similar reductions observed at the Library’s Northeast and Southwest Branches, and expected when the University Branch reopens from renovation in late 2026, the Library is making good progress toward the City’s climate goals.

“LEED-Gold certification is major achievement,” notes Dennis Reddinger, the Library’s Head of Capital Improvement and Facilities. “It’s a testament to the collaboration among all the partners on this project, and to our commitment to serving the community in an environmentally responsible manner.”

The Green Lake renovation project was completed in late October 2024.

Cool facts about the Green Lake renovation

• Levy supported: The Green Lake Branch renovation was funded by the 2019 Library Levy, which was overwhelmingly passed by voters in August of 2019. The levy will also help fund two projects of similar scope at the University and Columbia branches.
• Seismic Retrofit: A comprehensive structural upgrade significantly increased the safety of the building during an earthquake. It was designed with a higher-than-standard level of seismic resistance that will help protect the building help it serve the community in a disaster situation.
• Accessibility Improvements: The building is now fully accessible, including a new ramp from the sidewalk, a new ADA parking stall, new restrooms and a west side building entrance leading to a new elevator serving both floors.
• HVAC System Replacement: A new, highly efficient electric heat pump, provides heating and air conditioning throughout the branch.
• Interior Renovations: Renovations to the auditorium, three new study rooms, remodeled staff work areas, a new circulation/service desk, new lighting and new furniture will allow more efficient and flexible use of building space.
• Sustainability: The LEED-certified project was designed to meet the City of Seattle’s goals for environmentally responsible design.
• Air conditioning for all: The University Branch and the Columbia Branch will undergo similar renovations. The Fremont, Queen Anne and West Seattle branches will receive HVAC upgrades, funded by a recent $6-million-dollar FEMA grant. At that point, every Seattle library will have air conditioning.