Testa Produce Distribution Center Named Midwest's Best Green Building Project

CHICAGO – The new Testa Produce distribution center, which is poised to become the first LEED® Platinum-certified food distribution facility in the nation, has been selected as Best Green Building Project of 2011 by ENRMidwest (Engineering News-Record). The annual awards program recognizes outstanding design and construction in a variety of categories. Testa Produce was nominated by Chicago-based Summit Design + Build.

Winning projects were selected on the basis of design and construction quality, quality, innovation, safety, and the ability of their project teams to overcome unique challenges. Testa Produce’s $24-million, 91,000-square-foot distribution center, built on former brownfield space in the Chicago Stockyards Industrial Park, generates a 60% savings in utility consumption as a result of renewable energy systems, including 180 photovoltaic solar panels and a 750kW freestanding wind turbine. Roof-mounted solar panels generate 100% of the facility’s hot water, while a 5,000-gallon water storage and treatment system recycles rainwater for non-potable uses throughout the building. Other “green” features recognized by ENR include a partially vegetated, barrel-shaped roof, permeated pavers, bioswales and a retention pond for managing storm water runoff.

The Testa distribution center, which opened in May 2011, was designed by Epstein architects. Summit Design + Build served as the construction manager and WBS Equities served as owner’s project consultant. Construction and permanent financing was provided by MB Bank. All are local Chicago-based concerns.

For more information and to see additional photos of Testa’s award-winning facility visit www.testaproduce.com or Testa’s Facebook page.

Testa Produce: Founded in 1912, Testa Produce, Inc. is Chicago’s premier independent produce distributor. In addition to a broad line of domestic, local, organic, sustainable, and imported fresh produce items, the company delivers frozen, canned, and specialty foods to fine restaurants, hotels, and institutions throughout Illinois and much of Wisconsin. Testa is a member of both PRO*ACT, the foodservice industry’s largest produce buying and marketing organization, and Legacy Foodservice Alliance.

Source: Testa Produce