By Samantha Smith
Buda city council approved action on the sustainable design plans for its Parks Maintenance building at its last meeting, marking the city’s first steps into reducing its carbon footprint.
Although already approved by the city council, the final cost of the project has not been approved. The council will take up the cost at its April meeting.
Buda Director of Parks and Recreation Drew Wells said the city anticipates construction to start as early as May 2016. No contractor has been selected for the project at this time. Wells said he couldn’t be certain if the sustainable designs will feature solar panels or another feature that uses sustainable energy.
The sustainable design project is meant to incorporate sustainable designs and equipment into the existing Parks Maintenance building.
Buda’s process toward the project began Feb. 2, when, according to city documents, city council approved the schematic design of the parks maintenance building.
During discussion and deliberation, the city council requested sustainable renewable energy options, such as solar panels, be included in the final design.
Staff directed a firm to coordinate with project architect Lopez Salas Architects, Inc. to conduct a performance and financial analysis of a solar panel system. Lopez Salas contacted South Texas Solar Systems, Inc. (STSS) to conduct the analysis.
Wells and members of city council estimated the sustainable design is projected to save the city an average of $1,100 to $1,200 per year, and would have a return on investment in 17 to 18 years.
The initial cost of construction and installation is projected to be a little over $20,000, which does not qualify for a grant from the Capital Area Coalition of Governments (CAPCOG), due to the smaller scale of the installation. Buda would absorb 100 percent of the cost.
City staff and council are also considering use of the sustainable design project on new city buildings being planned for Buda.
City council members were hopeful that the new sustainable design for the Parks Maintenance building would be a step in the right direction in reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
According to the STSS analysis, 189 tons of carbon dioxide would be eliminated from the city’s footprint over the life of the system.
“It’s time that we really show that we’re serious about reducing fossil fuel consumption and this is a way to reflect our buy into renewable, sustainable energy use,” Buda Mayor Pro Tem Wiley Hopkins said.