Green Business Initiatives

Green Roofs

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Green Roof Project – the City of Milwaukee provides incentive funding to government agencies, private property owners and nonprofit organizations to increase green roof implementation within the Milwaukee area.

Milwaukee Public Library – 33,000 sq. ft. roof garden planted with chives, Karl Forester Reed Grass and 12 varieties of sedum that reduces polluted storm water runoff and improves air quality.

Milwaukee Public Museum - 4,100 sq. ft. roof, housing more than 1,000 biotrays planted with sedum.

Rockwell Automation – at 48,500 sq. ft., the largest private-sector roof in Wisconsin. The roof garden helps reduce the energy required to heat and cool the building and annually retains 1.2 million gallons of rainwater that otherwise would runoff into the city sewer system and eventually into Lake Michigan.

URBAN FARMING

The Victory Garden Initiative is a grass-roots nonprofit organization that empowers communities to grow food and advance a resilient food culture. Walnut Way is a neighborhood initiative that transforms vacant lots into gardens and orchards, engaging residents of all ages in neighborhood revitalization.

LEED Certification

In 2013, Rockwell Automation earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for significantly reducing the overall environmental impact of its landmark, 2.1 million square-foot corporate headquarters in downtown Milwaukee. The recognition is the culmination of a comprehensive, 12-year sustainability program, which includes combined office, laboratory and former manufacturing space.

The Brewery development, formerly the home of the Pabst Brewing Company, was awarded the prestigious LEED Platinum level for Neighborhood Development in 2013 and has become Milwaukee’s newest sustainable, historic neighborhood. The development comprises two major university centers, offices, apartments, the Brewhouse Inn & Suites, Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, student housing, and future tenants, including Hyatt Place and Milwaukee Brewing Company. Sustainable strategies include comprehensive guidelines covering brownfield redevelopment, historic preservation of former brewery buildings, stormwater management, construction waste managementm, and green building methodology.

In 2012, Milwaukee’s baseball stadium, American Family Field, was certified in the LEED Existing Building rating system, due to the nature of the facility, the sheer volume of people, materials, vendors, the operable roof, and overall complexity of the building operations.