Safe & Green

The Urban Exchange has been committed to the environment with energy efficiencies and environmental design from the start by improving efficiencies through conserving electricity, water and other natural resources with the use of elements such as:

• Jeld-Wen energy efficient windows with Aura-Last wood are used throughout the Urban Exchange complex. They protect from wood decay, water saturation and termites by using an environmentally-friendly water-based process that reduces hazardous air pollutants emissions by more that 96 percent. The windows also incorporate high-performance low-e glass that lowers energy costs. The coatings incorporated into the windows block 83% of harmful UV rays and 96% of the sun’s infrared heat.
• Our air-conditioning units conform to the new energy efficient standards that increase the efficiency by a minimum of 30% leading to a reduced carbon footprint and reducing electrical consumption. (Source: Environmental and Energy Study Institute). In addition to the increased efficiency, the refrigerant “Puron R410A” is a safe, non-toxic, non-flammable and environmentally responsible product
• Urban Exchange’s green roof between the two towers limits the use of water through efficiencies in landscaping and includes a TimberTech walkway. This wood composite product uses recycled wood waste that does not require any chemically treated woods, painting, staining or sealing.
• Throughout the building process, we chose as many products as possible with low VOC emissions (volatile organic compounds) thus reducing harmful contaminants for indoor air quality. One example is the Eco Spec paint from Benjamin Moore, which is a low odor, zero VOC, 100% acrylic latex paint that provides high hiding, excellent touch up, and a uniform finish.
• All apartments at Urban Exchange feature Energy Star appliances – this translates into reduced energy consumption using 10-15% less energy and water than standard models.
• We have added a recycling dumpster for recycling of cardboard and paper products.
• The use of long lasting cement siding that is manufactured in Virginia and thus reduces the environmental impact caused by transportation.

“The single most important factor in green architecture is durability. If you want something to be green it has to last a long time. It has to handle water, heat and UV radiation. Fiber-cement handles all three exceptionally well” – Joseph Lstiburek (Source: JamesHardie)

• The downtown location of Urban Exchanges reduces the need for your car with an onsite bus stop.
• The concrete parking garage within the building helps limit the site disturbance for additional asphalt parking areas.
• The redevelopment of the old Joe Bowman Chevrolet dealership provided an opportunity to innovative the living environment in Downtown Harrisonburg. By redeveloping the infill site we incorporated additional green initiatives that used existing resources i.e. water, sewer, and road infrastructure.

The developers made a commitment to use a large number of local suppliers and construction personnel as its commitment to reduce transportation cost and kept its dollars in the local economy.