Mercy Housing’s Jefferson Park Terrace Received Sustainability Award from Green Building Council

One of Mercy Housing California’s newest projects, Jefferson Park Terrace, which houses 60 low income families and those living with HIV/AIDS, will be the recipient of a prestigious 2014 Sustainability Award from the US Green Building Council, Los Angeles Chapter.

As a LEED Certified Gold Building, Jefferson Park Terrace, which is located in the South Central area of Los Angeles, embraces the newest technology along with tradition – the building was erected on the site of the very first Fatburger hamburger stand which was founded in 1952 by African American entrepreneur Lovie Yancey. The original hamburger stand has been incorporated into the building’s design and has been preserved as a beacon of Black entrepreneurship in the historic Jefferson Park neighborhood.

“We are immensely grateful to be recognized by the L.A. Chapter of the US Green Building Council for this very important honor,” said Mercy Housing California President, Doug Shoemaker. “Jefferson Park Terrace, which features state-of-the-art environmental practices while also honoring the past, is a testament of what is possible through the collaborative work of our staff, our partners in local government, banking, architecture and design.”

Dominique Smith, Executive Director of the US Green Building Council – Los Angeles Chapter commented: “Jefferson Park Terrace exemplifies the type of socially diverse urban living that enhances the quality of life for residents. We’re proud to recognize the project team for their leadership in the Los Angeles region.”

In addition to the building’s sustainability features, which include efficient construction methods and materials, robust insulation, low flow plumbing throughout, Energy Star appliances, a high efficiency irrigation system which includes the use of gray water from washing machines to water native, drought tolerant landscaping and a solar photovoltaic power system, residents at Jefferson Park Terrace enjoy a rich array of amenities including outdoor community picnic, barbeque and playground areas, a computer center and meeting room, and an on-site resident services coordinator and building manager. The building was designed to evoke the Streamline Moderne style as a means of bridging the traditional Craftsmen neighborhood and the midcentury Fatburger stand.

The Sustainability Innovation Award, given out annually by the US Green Building Council of Los Angeles, recognizes best building design or constructed residential, commercial, neighborhood, development and non-profit projects that demonstrate the systematic integration of sustainability and LEED certification standards.

Not only does Jefferson Park Terrace feature the original Fatburger hamburger stand built into its foundation, it’s also a Gold LEED Certified Building

Source: Mercy Housing California Mercy Housing California (MHC)