Green State of Mind: Sustainability Driving NYC’s Economic Comeback

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In advance of Earth Day (themed Invest in Our Planet this year), the NY Foreign Press Center partnered with the Javits Center on April 11 to host a press tour for nine journalists. Alan Steel, President and CEO of the Javits Center, underscored the facility’s commitment to sustainability in his welcoming remarks.  Jacqueline Tran, the center’s energy and sustainability director, then led media to the rooftop to view the new $1.5 billion expansion project which includes a one-acre working farm, orchard, and pollinator garden. The expansion project also includes the installation of 3,000 solar panels, making the rooftop solar farm the largest in Manhattan upon completion.  The project achieved a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2021. The tour included the 6.75-acre green roof which absorbs up to seven million gallons of storm water run-off annually and reduces heat gain throughout the building. Outlets based in Brazil, Finland, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom sent their NY-based reporters to cover the sustainability upgrades at the Javits.