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Welcome to Saranac
Paul Dillon and Bart Mihailovich, Down to Earth, September 20, 2007
This weekend marks the grand opening of the Saranac building at 25 W. Main. Originally constructed as a hotel in 1908, and part of the East Downtown Historic District, the building is an expansion of the Community Building complex.
Saranac renovation was managed by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, or LEED. LEED is a standard for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Jim Sheehan, founder of the Center for Justice, a non-profit law firm, owns the Community Building and the Saranac. Along with Project Manager Dave Sanders and Principal Architect Rod Butler of Zeck Butler Architects, he's aiming for platinum LEED certification–the highest level possible, which is unheard of east of the Cascades.
The advantage of LEED is there might be a high initial cost but the payback is more than compensatory–the Saranac will have free power after 12 years with solar panels producing electricity to recover costs. The 98 solar panels are an unsual sight in Spokane, the largest private solar field in the state.
William Webster, owner of Isabella's Restaurant and Gin Joint gave DTE an enthusiastic tour last August. Construction equipment still scattered the hallways while he discussed project schematics and office practicality. "Every office has a window," he said, with better indoor quality. "Going to work should be enjoyable." He noted the air exchange system used 100% recycled air. (See our green photo tour below)
The Saranac is four stories tall with a total of 32,000 square feet of floor space. Following the Community Building theme, they're renting primarily to environmentally friendly non-profits.
In addition to the restaurant, new tenants include Community Minded Enterprises; Upper Columbia United Tribes; Kalispell Department of Natural Resources; The Lands Council; Columbia Institute for Water Policy; and offices for State Senator Lisa Brown, Representative Timm Ormsby and Representative Don Barlow. And there's the Magic Lantern movie theater and an art gallery on the main floor.
Sheehan, a former public defender, inherited a large amount of money years ago and used it to develop the Community Building.
From tomorrow until October 11th there will be free tours, open to the public, to display tenants and the green building design.
Hopefully, the Saranac will serve as an example to Spokane.
 
These are five, 2500 gallon drums that capture and store all rain and spring water for bathrooms and irrigation.
 
The main floor. To the left is Isabella's Restaurant and Gin Joint. To the right is the art gallery. Up the stairs and around the right corner is Spokane's art house theater, the Magic Lantern, now showing Leo's stylish environmental film, "The 11th Hour," this weekend. Last month, "The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival," played to rave reviews.
Outside: Recycled metal siding comes from old car bodies.
 
Third floor hallway construction: DTE had to watch its step, intrigued that the insulation was made from recycled jeans. Looking at the same hallway, from a 180 degree angle. All existing nails, glass pieces, and larger boards were reused from the old building. Tiles were made of recycled glass, not ceramic. Low voc paints were used. The concrete is actually ash from coal-fired chimney stack.
 
Rooftop gardens assists with temperature control through drought tolerant plants. You're looking at basil, thyme, and oregano.
 
Photos by Down to Earth
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