Ronald McDonald House

Kent Burress, CEO toured us through the facility pointing various features including LEED related initiatives that achieved Platinum status. The site was originally a brownfield.  Their original budget was $9.5 million yet they went a little over and all in they spent $11.3 million. He stated there was a 16% cost premium for LEED however, with the exception of the air handlers, they recouped their cost in 2.5 years.  They receive their cold water and steam from Austin Energy from the co-generation plant just a few miles away.  A few LEED facts: No asphalt, all concrete parking with 40% fly ash in the concrete, generates 10.8 KW a day from solar, and the building gets 86% of its light from natural light.

The charity change containers at McDonald's generate $19 million dollars for charity...so after odering "two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun", leave your change for this wonderful charity.  This particular facility has a $1.5 million dollar annual budget and deserves more.    

J2M