Downtown building installs "green" roof

Binghamton (WIVT) -A downtown Binghamton office building now has a lush carpet of green on two of its roofs.

2 Court Street has installed a variety of succulent and perennial plants along the 2nd and 3rd floor verandas facing the Chenango River.

The green roofs can absorb up to an inch of rainwater, slowing the rate of runoff during a large storm.

A $300,000 grant from New York State's Environmental Facilities Corporation helped to pay for the installation.

It's all part of major renovations being conducted to the building that is owned by Vitaluna and managed by ReRent Property Management.

ReRent Manager Mark Huebner said the verandas turned out to be an environmental work of art.

"Even though there was a grant for this project, the cost to our organization was significant. Being able to finance those in markets like this is a challenge. But now that it's been done, and we can see what the impact is, we'll strive to do more of these projects throughout all of our facilities," said Huebner.

The roofs and other plantings around the building were designed by HAAS Landscape Architects.

Mike Haas said the plants chosen are very durable, low maintenance and can weather our harsh winters.

And it does more than just regulate stormwater.

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Downtown building installs "green" roof