LEED for Homes, Pilot for Mid-rise Multi-family Buildings is a green certification program that rewards multi-family residences that are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient, healthier and more durable. LEED-certified buildings complete a technically rigorous process that often includes an energy analysis and onsite inspections to verify that the building is built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound, and a healthier place to live.

Coyote Village is one of four buildings at USD currently pursuing LEED certification. The building is presently under construction by the development team of Ambling University Development Group (developer), Juneau Construction (contractor) and Niles Bolton Associates (architect) and Architectural Energy Corporation (LEED provider). This team is known for their expertise in constructing LEED buildings.

Located on the east side of Rose Street adjacent to the DakotaDome, Coyote Village is a 550-bed, 175-suite facility. The location is within walking distance of campus recreation, academic buildings, and many community shops and services. Construction is slated to be completed this summer.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, green buildings can have substantially lower utility bills[i] and qualify for beneficial financing, lower insurance rates and government incentives. Through their commitment to green building, the development team is keeping sustainability affordable. Coyote Village focuses heavily on reducing energy use, water use reduction and the efficient use of materials. The sustainable features of the project include an efficient heating and cooling system (designed to achieve a 16 percent annual energy savings), a high performance building envelope, environmentally preferred materials, drought tolerant landscaping, a highly efficient irrigation system, digital thermostats set to optimize energy efficiency, fresh air ventilation, indoor contaminant control, and low VOC paints, sealers and adhesives.

“As a LEED-certified project, Coyote Village continues USD’s commitment to sustainability,” said Henry Cantwell of Niles Bolton Associates. “The residence hall complex was designed and constructed to be a good neighbor by reducing its environmental footprint and providing a greener place for students to live.”

Press Contact
Hanna DeLange
Contact Email usdnews@usd.edu
Contact Website website