New Energy Efficient Facility Designed to Complement the Historical
Character of Charles Town and to Support the Institution’s Continued
Expansion
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2009--
With several local and national dignitaries in attendance, American
Public University System (APUS) held a groundbreaking ceremony to
celebrate the start of construction on its new, energy-efficient
academic center in the heart of Charles Town, West Virginia. APUS is a
regionally and nationally accredited online institution of higher
education operating through two universities, American
Military University and American
Public University, which educate more than 53,000 adult learners
worldwide.
The new academic and admissions building will be located in the heart of
the Charles Town – Ranson “Commerce Corridor”, a former Brownfield of
abandoned and under-utilized former industrial sites slated for new
office and retail development. The 45,000-square foot facility
represents a major economic investment in the downtown area.
In attendance at today’s groundbreaking was David R. Lloyd, Director of
the US EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, who stated,
“The EPA is proud to have provided some of the environmental assessment
funding that allowed this impressive project to develop. The outcome
from today's groundbreaking event will represent an important goal of
the EPA Brownfields Program - to help assess and clean contaminated
sites, and to help communities reuse land in a sustainable way that will
benefit the environmental and economic health of the community."
The new four story building will be constructed for LEED-certification
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) as a “green” facility
and built to standards set by US Green Building Council (USGBC). Some of
the environmental features include highly efficient insulation and
windows, lighting controls to manage energy use, a modern variable
refrigerant HVAC system, and solar panels on the roof to provide a
portion of the building’s energy requirements. When completed, the
building will initially accommodate approximately 140 personnel and
contain one of the world’s largest book collections on military history.
At today’s groundbreaking ceremony, APUS President Wallace E. Boston,
Jr. stated, “As American Public University System expands to serve
increasing numbers of students who aspire to greater personal and
professional success, we continue to be mindful of our responsibility to
society and the communities we serve. We are committed to expanding
access to affordable online higher education and to institutional growth
in a manner that respects local communities and the environment.”
APUS is a charter signatory of the American College and University
Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) – a promise to work toward
climate neutrality through a climate action plan currently being
developed and implemented.
“The new APUS Academic Center’s architecture reflects a blend of old and
new architectural elements,” added Mr. Boston. “They are designed to
preserve and complement the character of Charles Town and include modern
features built to meet high environmental standards and energy
efficiency.”
Since 2002, APUS has renovated several local buildings, including the
former County Office Building, the former Jefferson County Hospital and
Knott Nursing Home, the former Acme grocery building and ABC building,
the former Avanti Restaurant, and the former home of Mayor Thomas
Claiborne Green, one of John Brown’s defense attorneys. With the
addition of the new academic center, the university owns or leases 14
properties in Charles Town, West Virginia.
About American Public University System
American Public University System (APUS) includes American
Public University and American
Military University and educates more than 53,000 adult learners
worldwide. APUS’s relevant curriculum, affordability and flexibility
helps working adults pursue degrees in subjects ranging from homeland
security to management and liberal arts. A university book grant
supplies textbooks at no cost for eligible undergraduate students. For
more information, visit www.apus.edu.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6074433&lang=en
Source: American Public University System
American
Public University System
Chris Symanoskie
703-334-3880
csymanoskie@apus.edu