MAYOR PEYTON, COUNCIL MEMBER JONES AND CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
CELEBRATE OPENING OF NEW ANIMAL SHELTER
Shelter is the City Government’s First Completely “Green” Building Construction Project
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 6, 2009 – Mayor John Peyton, City Council member Warren Jones, the City of Jacksonville Environmental and Compliance Department and local animal advocates will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new animal shelter and the renaming of the Animal Care and Control Division.
During the ceremony the city officials will officially announce the new name of the Animal Care and Control Division. After the ribbon cutting, tours will be given of the new space. The division will also host an animal adoption fair for the public. All are welcome to attend.
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 8
9 a.m.
WHERE: Animal Care and Control
2020 Forest St. – 32204
(From I-10 East, take the Stockton Street exit, EXIT 362. Turn right onto Stockton Street. Turn right onto Forest Street.)
About the New Shelter
The new shelter comes as a result of the City of Jacksonville’s commitment to providing humane treatment of animals and effectively managing its growing population.
The new facility offers a number of improvements over the previous shelter. These include a highly visible and accessible location, state of the art medical facility, a separate animal treatment area, additional surgical recovery space, and a designated open space for adoptable animals.
In addition to the enhanced services, the new 40,000 square-foot shelter will serve as the cornerstone of “green” building for the city’s sustainability initiative. It is the first newly-constructed building built entirely to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications.
Building elements, including the roof, the use of natural light and automatic lights along with native plants used in the landscaping, were designed to maximize the use of energy and natural resources. The project’s contractor, Auld & White, is currently pursuing a LEED Gold Certification for the building’s energy efficient design.
The building’s “green” features also help promote good health for the animals in the shelter. For example, high efficiency mechanical systems and equipment help balance the facilities extensive use of fresh air. When coupled with the building’s humidity control, these systems help to encourage good overall health of the animals in the shelter.