First Green Roof in Somerville installed at St. Polycarp Village

Laura Kozel The first Green Roof in Somerville was installed May 22nd on a brand new building on the site of St. Polycarp Village through a collaboration among the Somerville Community Corporation, Apex Green Roofs and Prospect Hill Academy. The green roof is being used to educate students and community members about environmental issues and solutions and is part of a transformation of a closed Catholic parish into a mixed-use, mixed-income development by the Somerville Community Corporation. This installation also marks the first-time in the Boston area that a Green Roof, photovoltaics and solar/thermal are being used on a mixed-income property. The students at Prospect Hill Academy participated in the installation and planting of the green roof as the culmination of a green roof course. The "Green Roofs for the 21st Century" course is part of a larger program that teaches students about the engineering design process by involving them in a community project. The students have been learning about the many environmental and financial benefits of green roofs which include more than doubling the life of the roof, retaining storm water, reducing energy needs, creating habitat, cleaning the air and improving the quality of life of those around them. "Our students are thrilled to be a part of the green roof installation! Exposing high school students to these emerging technologies while also getting them involved in the community in such meaningful ways has really been a great experience," said Michael Moretti, a teacher at Prospect Hill Academy. "We love working with the kids and are excited about green roofs becoming more mainstream," said Charlie Sinkler, a Partner at Apex Green Roofs. "We believe that education is a big part of what is needed right now. These roofs make good financial sense in addition to all of the environmental benefits." "We're proud to be including Somerville's first green roof among the many green measures at St. Polycarp Apartments," said Danny LeBlanc, CEO of the Somerville Community Corporation. The Somerville Community Corporation purchased the former Saint Polycarp Parish property from the Archdiocese of Boston in 2006. Iric Rex of Mostue & Associates Architects designed the new complex with a complete array of the latest techniques to achieve cutting-edge energy conservation, indoor air quality, and water conservation. The building is expected to achieve a LEED-NC Silver rating, reflecting the aggressive goals of 50% energy savings, 40% water savings, and cooling and filtration of interior air to remove pollutants. Other green features integrated into the complex include a high percentage of recycled materials, high-efficiency elevator, energy recovery from ventilated air and a photovoltaic array to supply the electrical needs of the common area of the building. The tenants and local community will benefit from the green development and new urban green spaces created around the buildings. Information on the Parties: Apex Green Roofs, Inc. (www.apexgreenroofs.com) based in Somerville, is a leading provider in New England of Green Roof design, engineering, installation, and maintenance services. Somerville Community Corporation (www.somervillecdc.org) is a nonprofit Community Development Corporation that provides leadership for sustaining the city of Somerville as a vibrant, diverse and tolerant community. They achieve this goal through the development and preservation of affordable housing, as well as by offering services and leading community organizing that supports low and moderate-income Somerville residents in their efforts to achieve economic stability and increase civic participation. Prospect Hill Academy Charter School (www.prospecthillacademy.org) is a public school serving more than 900 students in grades Kindergarten through 12 on three campuses in Cambridge and Somerville, MA. Laura Kozel is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Apex Green Roofs, her email is: laura@apexgreenroofs.com