Civic center project recognized

Newport Beach received LEED — Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design — certification for its civic center and park project, according to a news release.

Choosing from the certified, silver, gold and platinum levels, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded the project a gold certification in recognition of its environmentally friendly design and construction, the release said.

The project, which opened last spring, includes an 88,000-square-foot City Hall complete with an under-floor air distribution system to reduce air conditioning costs, window shades to minimize heat, and light fixtures that automatically dim in response to natural light.

Meanwhile, in the 14-acre park, native plants reduce the need for irrigation, and a basin filters storm runoff from the building site, according to the release.

“I’m thrilled with the news and know that the City Council and the project team will be too,” Mayor Rush Hill said in a prepared statement.

— Emily Foxhall

Twitter: @emfoxhall