Saint Paul’s new Western District Police Station opened in December 2007 on Hamline Avenue south of University Avenue, receiving the LEED Gold certification for environmental stewardship and sustainability in its operations and construction. It is the first LEED certified building in Saint Paul as well as the first police station in Minnesota.

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is a set of principles that promote an innovative approach to sustainability based on factors such as water and energy savings, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The police department, public works staff and consultants worked with Xcel Energy’s Energy Design Assistance to produce the buildings energy efficiencies, exceeding the current Minnesota State Building Code for efficiency by at least 40 percent and reducing the long-term operating costs of the building. It is 48 percent more energy efficient than traditional commercial structures.

Green features designed into the building include:

• high-efficiency heating and cooling with in-floor heating for the garage and first-floor perimeter and an energy recovery exhaust system that captures heat or cold air as it exits the building and uses it to temper the incoming air;
• use of an Energy Star-rated white roof system for reducing cooling load;
• eastern and southern exposures for daylight and passive solar gain;
• innovative storm water management system that includes a combination of rain gardens, holding ponds and permeable pavement to manage storm water run-off on site;
• high-efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors;
• locally-produced pre-cast concrete wall and floor panels, providing long life and low maintenance; and
• use of A-410 refrigerant in the cooling system which does not produce ozone layer-depleting emissions.

The station houses the Saint Paul Police Crime Prevention Unit in addition to nearly 100 officers and command staff. Other amenities include space for community meetings, a workout center and indoor parking garage. 

The LEED Gold certification exceeded the target Mayor Chris Coleman set to have the building certified LEED Silver.