A McDonald's restaurant in Riverside, Calif., was recently awarded LEED Gold certification, the first McDonald's west of the Mississippi, and only the fourth in the U.S., to receive the designation.
"This gold certification from LEED underscores our rigorous sustainability initiatives," said Candace Spiel, McDonald's owner/operator. "
This restaurant is owned and operated by Tom and Candace Spiel and stood as a McDonald's for 44 years. In 2010, the restaurant was completely rebuilt and reopened on October 14, 2010 containing a host of green features such as low-flow plumbing fixtures, recycled denim insulation inside the building, native drought-tolerant plants to reduce water consumption by landscape and solar panels.
The restaurant also includes an interactive touch-screen display for visitors to learn about the building's features, environmental sustainability, and how individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.
The University Avenue McDonald's has achieved the following water and energy-savings.
- The restaurant's solar array has generated electrical energy which saves approximately 8,950 kWH per month of utility usage, which is equal to the power usage of 13 average Riverside homes for one month. Increased efficiencies such as low-E glass windows and LED lighting helped realize an additional energy savings of 2,870 kWH per month, which is equal to an additional four Riverside homes.
- Saved approximately 250,000 gallons of water, which is equal to the water of eight 20 ft x 40 ft swimming pools.
- Due to permeable pavers, about 283,000 gallons of rainfall water is diverted from storm water system per year, which is equal to the water of nine 20 ft x 40 ft swimming pools.
"We are delighted that this local McDonald's has taken such significant measures to conserve our natural resources while educating residents about the importance of energy conservation," said Ron Loveridge, mayor of Riverside.
Beginning as manager trainee and crewperson, respectively, over the last 40 years Tom and Candace have risen within the ranks of the McDonald's system to own and operate nine McDonald's restaurants in the Inland Empire located in Chino, Ontario, Montclair, Pomona, Riverside and Rubidoux. Both Tom and Candace are members of the McDonald's Operators' Association of Southern California, which is comprised of more than 120 small business owners who operate more than 600 McDonald's restaurants in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura. BD+C
Related Stories
Sponsored | Resiliency | Dec 14, 2022
Flood protection: What building owners need to know to protect their properties
This course from Walter P Moore examines numerous flood protection approaches and building owner needs before delving into the flood protection process. Determining the flood resilience of a property can provide a good understanding of risk associated costs.
Architects | Dec 14, 2022
Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, named 2023 AIA Gold Medal honoree
The Board of Directors and the Strategic Council of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) are honoring Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, with the 2023 Gold Medal. The Gold Medal honors an individual whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 14, 2022
In Flint, Mich., a new health center brings together children’s mental and physical health services
Families with children who experience behavioral health issues often have to travel to multiple care facilities to see multiple teams of specialists. In Flint, Mich., the new Center for Children’s Integrated Services at Genesee Health System (GHS), a public mental health provider, brings together all of the GHS children’s programs, including its behavioral health programs, under one roof. It provides families a single destination for their children’s mental healthcare.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Dec 14, 2022
Urban housing revival: 3 creative multifamily housing renovations
This continuing education course from Bruner/Cott & Associates highlights three compelling projects that involve reimagining unlikely buildings for compelling multifamily housing developments.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 13, 2022
Top 106 multifamily housing kitchen and bath amenities – get the full report (FREE!)
Multifamily Design+Construction's inaugural “Kitchen+Bath Survey” of multifamily developers, architects, contractors, and others made it clear that supply chain problems are impacting multifamily housing projects.
Green | Dec 9, 2022
Reaching carbon neutrality in building portfolios ranks high for organizations
Reaching carbon neutrality with their building portfolios ranks high in importance among sustainability goals for organizations responding to a Honeywell/Reuters survey of senior executives at 187 large, multinational corporations. Nearly nine in 10 respondents (87%) say that achieving carbon neutrality in their building portfolio is either extremely (58%) or somewhat (29%) important in relation to their overall ESG goals. Only 4% of respondents called it unimportant.
Green | Dec 9, 2022
Newly formed Net Zero Built Environment Council aims to decarbonize the built world
Global management consulting firm McKinsey recently launched the Net Zero Built Environment Council, a cross-sector coalition of industry stakeholders aiming to decarbonize the built world. The council’s chief goal is to collaboratively create new pathways to cut greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
High-rise Construction | Dec 7, 2022
SOM reveals its design for Singapore’s tallest skyscraper
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has revealed its design for 8 Shenton Way—a mixed-use tower that will stand 63 stories and 305 meters (1,000 feet) high, becoming Singapore’s tallest skyscraper. The design team also plans to make the building one of Asia’s most sustainable skyscrapers. The tower incorporates post-pandemic design features.
Office Buildings | Dec 7, 2022
Software giant SAP opens engineering academy for its global engineering workforce
Software giant SAP has opened its new SAP Academy for Engineering on the company’s San Ramon, Calif. campus. Designed by HGA, the Engineering Academy will provide professional development opportunities for SAP’s global engineering workforce. At the Engineering Academy, cohorts from SAP offices across the globe will come together for intensive, six-month training programs.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 7, 2022
Canada’s largest net-zero carbon residential community to include affordable units
The newly unveiled design for Canada’s largest net-zero carbon residential community includes two towers that will create a new destination within Ottawa and form a striking gateway into LeBreton Flats. The development will be transit-oriented, mixed-income, mixed-use, and include unprecedented sustainability targets. Dream LeBreton is a partnership between real estate companies Dream Asset Management, Dream Impact, and local non-profit MultiFaith Housing Initiative.
