MCDOT’s Wheaton Revitalization Project 14-Story Office Building is First Montgomery County Government Facility to Achieve ‘LEED Platinum’ Certification

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 26, 2021

The 14-story office building that is the focal point of the Wheaton Revitalization Project built by the Montgomery County Government has received formal “LEED Platinum” certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The platinum certification of the Class “A” building is the highest level in sustainable design that USGBC awards in objectively measuring a building’s sustainability. The 308,000-square-foot building is the first County Government facility to receive a platinum rating.

The development and construction of the building, located at 2425 Reedie Drive, was led by the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT). It was designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum standards. However, the designation is not certified until a building is completed and reviewed by the USGBC, a nonprofit, non-governmental, membership-based organization. Other recent LEED certification accomplishments by the County include the LEED Gold certification of the Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center.

The Wheaton Revitalization Project, which was dedicated in September, is one of the largest projects of its kind built by the County. Construction took 39 months and cost about $179 million. It was completed on time and within budget. In addition to the office building, the project includes a 397-space below ground parking garage; the new Marian Fryer Town Plaza, which is adjacent to the office building; and ground level retail space.

“I am very proud that MCDOT has played a pivotal role in creating this smart-growth, transit-oriented development that has set a new design standard for public facilities in Montgomery County,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. The Wheaton office building’s environmental features environmental features include:

• An energy system assisted by a geothermal field of about 150 wells.
• Solar roofs​ (second floor rooftop and tower rooftop)​.
• Green roofs ​(second floor and tower rooftop)​.
• Green/living wall (main lobby)​.
• Onsite management of storm water and treatment of runoff.
• Silva-cells to promote large tree growth.
• Biofiltration pits to capture and degrade pollutants.
• High-efficiency water fixtures to reduce typical usage by nearly 40 percent.
• Higher efficiency building insulation using exterior shading.
• Punched windows to provide more interior light.
• A high-performance rain-screen to increase building wall durability.
• High-efficiency LED lighting.
• Electric vehicle charging stations in the garage.
• Destination elevators.

USGBC rating criteria encourage innovation and are based on a building’s:

• Impact on site and location.
• Water efficiency.
• Energy efficiency.
• Material selection.
• Indoor environmental quality.

MCDOT brokered the innovative public-private partnership that led to development of the Wheaton Revitalization Project. It included a land exchange to create a new Georgia Avenue gateway to Silver Spring comprised of a mixed-use development on the former site of the headquarters of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). The joint venture created 1.1 million square feet of new development with affiliates StonebridgeCarras, LLC and The Bozzuto Group.

M-NCPPC is the owner of the new building, which, when the public health situation allows, will be home to approximately 900 government employees. Offices and shared spaces for the Planning and Parks departments are located on the top four levels. The structure also houses the County’s Department of Permitting Services, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Recreation, Department of Health and Human Services and the offices of the Community Use of Public Facilities, the Mid-County Regional Office and the Wheaton Urban District.

Learn more about the project at montgomerycountymd.gov/WheatonDev/index.html.

For ongoing updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, subscribe to MCDOT news releases or subscribe to MCDOT’s ‘Go Montgomery!’ newsletter. 

Release ID: 21-019
Media Contact: Hannah Henn 240-777-8389