The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program Joins with CBS EcoMedia to Fund Energy-Saving Improvements at Newly Opened Artspace Lofts
Historic building to benefit from reduced energy costs and increased comfort as a result of efficiency improvements
Elgin, IL, June 28, 2013 /3BL Media/ – The grand opening of the Elgin Artspace Lofts yesterday celebrated more than the sparkling new live/work space for artists and their families in downtown Elgin – the Artspace Lofts is also being heralded for meeting the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria, the first national framework for greening affordable housing. The building boasts several energy-saving features, including superior insulation donated by the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program through their participation in CBS EcoMedia’s EcoAd program.
Hosting the grand opening celebration Thursday night at the Artspace Lofts were Illinois State Senator, Mike Noland, 22nd District; Illinois State Representative, Keith Farnham, 43rd District; Kane County Board District 20, Cristina Castro; Elgin Mayor, Dave Kaptain; Former Mayor, Ed Shock; Artspace President, Kelly Lindquist; and Bank of America Merrill Lynch Senior Vice President, Kristine Jurmu. Kevin Kirby, Vice President, Energy Efficiency Programs for AGL Resources represented the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program with his opening remarks. Dozens of artists, community members and local officials enjoyed the food and entertainment as they celebrated a brighter future for the resident artist community and downtown Elgin.
Originally built in 1908, the former Sears and Roebucks building has been adapted by Artspace into 55 affordable live/work units serving low-income artists who earn 60 percent or less of the area median income. The units include 6 studio apartments, 27 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom, and 6 three-bedroom units. During the grand opening event on Thursday guests toured several of the art studios and galleries and had the chance to meet many of the artist residents.
The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program funded increased insulation that had been previously removed from the renovation plans due to budget constraints. Additional green aspects of the building’s renovation and energy efficiency overhaul include: high-efficiency windows and doors, high-efficiency furnace, ENERGY STAR® lighting, ENERGY STAR appliances, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, low-flow bath and kitchen fixtures, and low VOC paints, sealants and adhesives.
“Nicor Gas has been given the responsibility to help our customers save energy, and the Energy Efficiency Program does just that,” said Kirby. “We learned of the Artspace Lofts renovation through our great partners at EcoMedia. Through their EcoAd program, we were able to spread the word about the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program while also helping fund a community project in need of energy efficiency assistance. The insulation added to the Artspace Lofts will improve the comfort of the building and may help them save on energy costs for years to come. These funds can then be put toward realizing their mission of improving the community through the arts.”
“Enterprise’s partnership with CBS EcoMedia provides an innovative way to harness the power of advertising to help make beautiful new communities like Elgin Artspace Lofts possible,” said Tom Osdoba, VP of Green Initiatives at Enterprise. “Through the EcoMedia initiative, our communities across the country are healthier to live in, better for the environment and more affordable for hard-working families.”
“We are so proud to be a part of this great effort in sustainability,” said Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder of CBS EcoMedia, Inc. “The combined efforts of Enterprise Community Partners, Artspace, the City of Elgin and our EcoAd advertising partner, the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, have resulted in a highly energy-efficient building that is now a beautiful, vibrant place for artists to live and work. Together this public-private partnership is delivering on our promise to improve the quality of life and create healthier communities. This is a landmark day for Elgin!”
About Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources (NYSE: GAS), is a natural gas distribution company that serves more than 2 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit www.nicorgas.com.
About the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program
The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program provides rebates and incentives to help businesses, homeowners and renters save energy and money. Eligible customers gain education, resources and financial rebates to offset the cost of installing and implementing energy efficiency projects. The Program is funded by Nicor Gas customers in compliance with the Illinois Public Utilities Act 220 IL CS5/8-104. For more information about Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Programs, visit NicorGasRebates.com.
About Artspace
With headquarters in Minneapolis and offices in Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Seattle and Washington, DC, Artspace is America’s leader in arts-driven community transformation with 33 projects in operation in 13 states. To date Artspace has completed more than 1,000 affordable live/work units for artists and their families as well as a million square feet of non-residential space for artists, arts organizations and creative enterprises. Additional information is available at www.artspace.org.
About Enterprise
Enterprise works with partners nationwide to build opportunity. We create and advocate for affordable homes in thriving communities linked to jobs, good schools, health care and transportation. We lend funds, finance development and manage and build affordable housing, while shaping new strategies, solutions and policy. Over more than 30 years, Enterprise has created 300,000 homes, invested nearly $14 billion and touched millions of lives. Join us at www.EnterpriseCommunity.com or www.EnterpriseCommunity.org.
About CBS EcoMedia Inc.
At EcoMedia, we’re propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that’s been our mission since we founded the company in 2002. In 2008, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media.
Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide. In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. Please visit ecomedia.cbs.com to learn more.
By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities. EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.
