Barton Mines Unveils New “Green” Headquarters in Glens Falls, NY with First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (09/19/2007)(readMedia)-- The Barton Group announced today the opening of its new “green” corporate headquarters at a grand opening event attended by state and local officials including first lady Silda Wall Spitzer and Glens Falls Mayor LeRoy Akins.

"The Barton Mines building will serve as the premier model of smart, green, sustainable development," said Wall Spitzer, "This project underscores the critical role green building design must play in fighting global warming and achieving the Governor's goal of reducing energy use 15 percent by 2015."

Wall Spitzer recently proposed a state initiative to provide incentives for residential construction and renovation that meets "green" building standards. The new Barton Headquarters is a candidate for LEED gold certification, under a rating system developed by The U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org) using points assigned in categories for: energy efficiency and reduced energy use; water use reduction and water efficiency; reuse of existing resources to avoid new consumption; and maintaining environmental quality for occupants and neighbors.

“Barton Mines is to be congratulated,” said Glens Falls mayor, LeRoy Akins. “Rather than tearing down an old building and starting from scratch as would probably be an easier approach, the Barton people retrofitted this older building to reuse existing resources as part of the LEED approach. In the process, they have created a gem that will be a key component of the ongoing revitalization efforts here in downtown Glens Falls.”

The Barton building far exceeds minimum LEED requirements in many categories including water conservation, indoor air quality, renewable energy, and recycling.

Environmental features integrated into the building’s transformation include:

• All the electrical power used in the building comes from wind, sold by New Wind Energy;

• a geothermal well field generates energy-efficient heating and cooling;

• a green roof and storm water collection system significantly enhances water conservation;

• parking spots are set aside for bicycles and fuel-efficient vehicles and special shower rooms accommodate bicycle commuters’ changing needs;

• office furniture is made from recycled materials,

• the building houses an indoor environment free of smoke and chemicals with state-of-the-art ventilation and lighting systems.

“The Environmental community applauds Barton Mines for it’s outstanding effort to protect the future of the environment and to employ extensive green building principles in the renovation and operation of it’s Corporate Headquarters” said Steve Breyman, Executive Director of the Citizen’s Environmental Coalition, an environmental advocacy group who recently released a comprehensive guidebook on green building practices and is actively promoting awareness of green building principles.

Barton Mines Company, LLC, a family owned manufacturer and distributor of garnet abrasives for a wide variety of technical applications, has operated a quietly successful local and regional business for 130 years, employing 70 at its North Creek location and 35 at the new Glens Falls Headquarters. “We wanted the new headquarters to illustrate the commitment of Barton Mines to the residents of Glens Falls and the surrounding region and to the health and happiness of our employees” said Charles Bracken, Chairman of The Barton Group, parent company of Barton Mines.

The renovated building was originally constructed in 1864 in the Queen Anne – Italianite style to house the Cowles business empire. Dan Cowles was a prominent Glens Falls businessman and the building has held various commercial and retail enterprises during its 143 year history.

The site of the building has always been a downtown hub and played an important role in early local history, when a 1700’s inn known as "Wing's Tavern" became the commercial heart of the pioneer settlement and provided the setting at the intersection of various trails north, east and south from which, early names for the settlement would follow such as: Wing’s Falls, Wing’s Corners, and finally, Glens Falls.

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The Barton Group is the parent company of Barton Mines Company, LLC, Virginia Abrasives Corporation, B-L Holding Company and Barton International Incorporated. For 130 years Barton has been, and continues to be a major contributor to the North Country economy with 70 employees at its operations near North Creek and 35 employees at its offices in Glens Falls.

Barton places a high value on environmental stewardship in everything it does from mining operations to the building which houses its employees.

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Posted Wednesday September 19, 2007 at 09:00 am by Geos Global, LLC