Oakland U goes green with new hydration station
Source: metromode, 11/12/2009
Going green could be as easy as offering
people a choice to do so. That's what Oakland University is doing by
adding a hydration station to the mix for its students.
Most of
the time the term 'hydration station' comes across as fancy jargon for
a water fountain. The university replaced one in the Oakland Center
with a water dispenser that makes using a refillable bottle more
convenient and lessens the need to buy bottled water.
"It's designed to refill water bottles quickly," says Richard Fekel, director of the Oakland Center.
The
idea is to encourage more students to carry their own containers
instead of buying disposable plastic ones that too often clog
landfills. While this is the first hydration station on Oakland
University's campus, however, more might be in the future.
"My
guess is this will start a new trend," Fekel says. "We sell a lot of
bottled water on campus so this is just another way for our students to
give back to their environment."
Source: Richard Fekel, director of the Oakland Center
Writer: Jon Zemke
Oakland U adds more green vehicles to its campus
Source: metromode, 11/5/2009
Oakland University's vehicle fleet is
becoming greener around the mud flaps now that it has added some
zero-emission trucks to its mix.
The university's Facilities
Management department purchased three Miles ZX40ST electric trucks.
Each one charges from a standard 110-volt outlet and has expected
regenerative breaking and a battery life measuring out to 25,000 miles.
The trucks have a payload capacity of more than 1,000 pounds
each. They are street legal and can drive as fast as 50 mph, although
they are built to go at speeds of around 25 mph.
"They're not only lightweight but they can do all of the work the
little Mitsubishi gas-powered trucks can do," says Jon Barth, manager
of custodial and grounds for Oakland University. "They're working very
well for us."
Oakland University bought them from North Central Zenn in Ohio for
about $14,000 each. Officials expect to save as much as $2,500 on
annual gas and maintenance costs. The vehicles will be evaluated over
the winter and summer to see if these projections pan out.
These
are not the first environmentally friendly vehicles the university has
purchased for its Rochester campus. It also uses an assortment of
gas-powered pickup trucks and vans built by the Big Three.
Source: Jon Barth, manager of custodial and grounds for Oakland University
Writer: Jon Zemke
Ferndale, Rochester big winners of Main Street Oakland County awards
Source: metromode, 10/29/2009
When it comes to downtowns, Ferndale and Rochester came home with all of the hardware at the 2nd Annual Main Street Oakland County Awards.
The
awards recognize excellence in downtown revitalization in five
categories, including organization, promotion, design, and economic
restructuring.
Ferndale took awards in all five of the
categories. The judges recognized the city for its outstanding public
relations outreach and special events for the DIY Festival. Two of its
businesses, Pinwheel Bakery and Elegance by Design, were recognized for
their facade renovations.
Rochester won awards for promotional design for its In Town magazine and for its community commitment.
Source: Oakland County
Writer: Jon Zemke
Oakland U creates more parking within existing space
Source: metromode, 10/15/2009
More parking. It's a refrain that has become the bane of redevelopment in Metro Detroit, a region still chained to four wheels.
Providing
more parking often comes at the expense of good urban development, if
it doesn't scuttle the project altogether. Oakland University has come
up with a way to provide it without extending the sea of asphalt.
The
university, which experienced record enrollment this fall, re-striped
some of its parking lots in a more efficient manner. The project, which
cost $2,000, created 72 extra spaces. The goal is to give a little
extra breathing room for drivers at the commuter campus in Rochester.
Among
the lots that received extra spaces are the lot at Squirrel Road and
Walton Boulevard (26) and along the connector road between Varner Hall
and Pawley Hall (23). The rest were scatted on parking lots throughout
campus. All of the university's parking areas can be found here.
Source: Oakland University
Writer: Jon Zemke
The Factory's Zeitgeist opens in downtown Rochester
Source: metromode, 10/8/2009
The Zeitgeist has arrived in Rochester as part of one of downtown's most vibrant nightspots - The Factory.
Shane Ford and Jerry Wald, the early 20-something creative entrepreneurs behind The Factory, opened the Zeitgeist as a complement to their music venue at 334 S Main St. behind Tower Plaza. Zeitgeist is the retail portion of the operation.
"We're open," Ford says. "We’re just getting some art in and loading it up."
The Zeitgeist
sells shirts, music, and other music paraphernalia. The old house
turned commercial storefront across the street from The Factory will
sell merchandise and even have a smaller performance area for events
like poetry readings.
Future expansion is possible but not in the immediate future.
"We're always looking at new things so we can expand, but we're all over the map right now," Ford says.
Source: Shane Ford, co-owner of The Factory and Zeitgeist
Writer: Jon Zemke
Rochester brewpub earns USDA organic certification
Source: metromode, 10/8/2009
One of Metro Detroit's greenest restaurants is now organic – certified organic.
Mind
Body & Spirits has been certified USDA Organic by Oregon Tilth, a
third-party nonprofit organization. The downtown Rochester-based firm
is now Michigan's first fully certified organic restaurant. There are
fewer than a dozen certified organic restaurants in the U.S.
"It's
a third party source that ensures that what we say we're doing, we're
doing," says David Youngman, director of marketing and communications
for Mind, Body & Spirits. "A lot of businesses are making claims of organic products."
Mind Body & Spirits
had already been embraced by the tree huggers when it opened last fall.
It took a 100-year-old building, renovated it, and added 2,000 square
feet and a load of sustainable features.
These include the
largest bank of solar power panels in Michigan, used to generate clean
energy and to heat water. The restaurant also has a geothermal heating
and cooling system. It also used VOC-free paint, bamboo flooring, and
sustainable furnishings. A greenhouse was built along Third Street to
provide fresh herbs and produce for the kitchen and to beautify the
sidewalk.
Source: David Youngman, director of marketing and communications for Mind Body & Spirits
Writer: Jon Zemke
N Oakland colleges expand alt transit options
Source: metromode, 10/1/2009
Getting around northern Oakland County's
commuter campuses is getting easier now that more transportation
options are becoming available.
Both Oakland University and
Cooley Law School's Metro Detroit campus are known for their large
sprawling parking lots, landing pads for most students' mode of
transportation to and from class. That's starting to change, if only a
little.
The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional
Transportation has added Cooley Law School's Auburn Hills campus, which
sits in the shadow of the Chrysler headquarters, to its list of
destinations. Maps, routes and links can be found at the Campus
Resources link here.
Oakland
University has already signed up for SMART service, but is now
expanding its transit options to pedal power with its launch of a Bike
Share Program. The student-led initiative makes use of the honor
system, providing 30 free-to-use bicycles to students at bike racks
around the campus.
Another 23 bikes have been donated to the
cause by students and staff since the program began earlier this fall.
Organizers are finding a number of bikes left at the local parking
lots, but are looking at adding more bike racks to improve availability
and convenience.
Source: Oakland University
Writer: Jon Zemke