Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan is putting the finishing touches on its new parking garage in downtown Detroit, which features the second largest green roof in the state.
There are 52,300 square feet of sedum plants on top of the nine-story, 1,825-space parking deck near the intersection of Congress Street and I-375. It’s second only to the green roof at Ford’s Rouge Plant. The foliage on the parking garage were planted late last fall.
"We expect to have some blooms in the spring this year," said Helen Stojic, public relations director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
The vegetated roof system will control rainwater runoff by absorbing and filtering it before it goes into the sewer system. It will also extend life of the parking deck and provide urban green space. A walking track made of recycled rubber paving is also incorporated into the green roof’s design for use by Blue Cross/Blue Shield employees.
Green roofs can be built on any type of building, ranging from factories to skyscrapers to private homes. Installing a green roof cost the same as building a normal commercial roof, however, the green roof allows for significant energy savings. Temperatures for a hot summer day on a normal commercial-building’s roof can reach 150 degrees. This requires the building’s cooling system to use more energy on air conditioning.
A green roof stays the same temperature as a typical front lawn, keeping the building cooler. It can also trap dust and absorb carbon monoxide while creating a habitat for insects, birds and butterflies.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, a non-profit corporation, provides health care benefits to about 4.7 million people. For more information, visit www.bcbsm.com.
Source: Helen Stojic, public relations director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
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