As Kermit the Frog famously crooned, “It’s not easy being green.”
For Tower Federal Credit Union, the easy way is not always the best way. The 123,000-plus member credit union, headquartered in Laurel, is expanding its branch at the Arundel Mills Shopping Center in Hanover, and has incorporated a long list of green features to protect the environment, reduce costs and make the branch comfortable and welcoming for members and employees. The new branch is set to open for business this month.
Green Features
One of the most significant features of the new office, located at 7065 Arundel Mills Circle, is the use of geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean and cost-effective systems for temperature control.
This will result in a significant savings in Tower’s HVAC operating costs, according to Bill Grantham, Tower’s vice president of facilities and administrative services.
The new site features bio-retention ponds to cleanse run-off from the parking lot before it gets to the development’s main retention pond. “Pollutants like oil and grease collect on parking lot surfaces,” Grantham explained. “The bio-retention ponds will result in cleaner water, ultimately, going to the Chesapeake Bay.”
To decrease “light pollution,” the building’s exterior lighting shines downward and does not spill over the property line, reducing glare for nighttime drivers and passersby. Both exterior and interior lights use energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
To reduce water consumption, the landscaping includes indigenous plants and trees that require less irrigation. “Local flora is more hardy and drought resistant,” Grantham said. “Less irrigation means less water used.”
Inside the branch, Tower installed low-flow toilets and faucet aerators in the restrooms and kitchen.
Green Light
Tower’s President and CEO Martin Breland said a priority of the new construction was to create a healthy work environment for employees. “The building is designed so that all employees have visual access to daylight,” he said. “We wanted the new branch to have a lot of windows and natural light for a bright, open feel.”
Breland added that all interior carpet, paint, adhesives and wall coverings are low in volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can be toxic. Ceiling tiles contain a broad-spectrum antimicrobial solution to resist the growth of mold, mildew, fungi, yeast, algae and bacteria. All carpet is CRI Green Label-certified with 10% post-consumer recycled content and 4% pre-consumer recycled content.
With all of the glass windows, Tower needed to take steps to reduce the “heat island effect” caused by the absorption and retention of heat during the day. The building has a white roof, which reflects light and heat. The exterior windows are tinted and insulated for heat reduction and energy-efficiency. First-floor awnings, along with additional landscaping and trees, provide shade and decrease heat gain.
Locally Green
Throughout the construction process, Breland said Tower tried to support the local economy. “We used a demountable glass wall system called NelloWall from a supplier in Elkridge, Md.,” he said. “We want to support local businesses, plus working with a company that’s close by minimizes shipping material and cost so less ends up in a landfill.” He added, “Shorter delivery distances also mean less gas and lower fuel emissions.”
According to Breland, the added expense of green materials and features is worthwhile and will be offset by savings down the road.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to expand and grow to meet our members’ needs. ‘Going green’ provides a feeling of satisfaction that we are doing what we can to protect Maryland’s natural resources.”
Conveniently Green
The new Arundel Mills location more than doubles the square footage of the original site and is Tower’s first two-story branch. Branch operations are on the first floor, and Tower Financial Services will offer financial planning and investment management for Tower members in the office space on the second floor.
The branch is one of 16 Tower locations throughout Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard and Prince George’s counties, and at Fort Meade.
The new full-service branch features state-of-the-art banking technologies like Remote Teller Stations (RTS). Using an RTS, Tower members communicate with tellers on a screen inside the branch and transactions are sent through a pneumatic tube.
“It’s essentially a safer and more efficient walk-up version of a drive-up teller,” Breland said.
For those who do prefer to stay in their cars, there are three drive-up lanes and a drive-up ATM. The branch also has a 24-hour walk-up ATM, and offers a self-service coin counter, safe deposit boxes, money orders and official checks, notary service and Visa gift cards. Branch hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, visit towerfcu.org.
