UKIAH, Calif. -- Mendo Lake Credit Union has opened a full-service green branch.
The branch, designed to be compliant with the United States Green Building Council's LEED standards for new construction, is located in Fort Bragg, Calif., and used as many indigenous and sustainable resources as possible in construction. No electrically compressed refrigerant system was used in the building, and, for heat, a radiant floor heating system using water heated from rooftop solar panels was installed.
The floor plan includes a shower area to encourage employees to walk or bike to work and a recycling center. On the exterior, the parking lot used permeable paving to allow for drainage directly into the soil beneath and the landscaping was designed to be water efficient and to incorporate native and drought tolerant plants.
"The building was designed to enhance the environment and history of Fort Bragg," said Jan Bell, president/CEO. "In our early study we realized Fort Bragg places a very high priority on preserving the coast's natural beauty, protecting natural resources and creating a locally sustainable economy."
The new location has created five full-time jobs with benefits and MLCU loans approximately 90% of its member deposits to member borrowers. By year end 2008, MLCU projects that it will have attracted approximately $5.5 million in local deposits and will have funded approximately $4.4 million in local loans.
