San Mateo Projects Earn Green Building Awards

MidPen Housing Corporation developed an eco-friendly and affordable housing complex for San Mateo residents. created an energy- and water-efficient Health and Wellness Center for vocational students.

And both organizations took home green building awards from Sustainable San Mateo County on Thursday night.

The 12th annual Sustainable San Mateo County Awards brought more than 300 attendees to the for a silent auction, organic dinner and awards presentation.

Going green and saving the planet can be a daunting challenge, and the awards event recognizes people who are attempting it, encouraging others to follow their path, said Kari Binley, executive director of SSMC.

“There are a lot of people who are doing a lot of good things,” she said.

MidPen Housing’s Peninsula Station is located near shopping and public transit to cut down on vehicle trips, and features a solar water heater system and photovoltaics to conserve electricity and gas. The complex also has an after-school program, computer lab and community gardens.

Jan Lindenthal, vice president of real estate development for MidPen Housing, said Peninsula Station earned 153 points on the city’s GreenPoint rating, while the minimum is 75.

The project received the green building award in the mixed-use category. “It’s a recognition of a lot of effort that we put in,” Lindenthal said.

College of San Mateo’s Health and Wellness Center achieved LEED Gold status and won the green building award in the non-residential category. The center includes pools and an athletic club, and houses dental and cosmetology programs that residents can take advantage of for services.

“Our goal first and foremost was to make sure we had the kind of state-of-the-art facility to match the education that takes place in those facilities,” said Richard Holober, president of the San Mateo County Community College District. “We really appreciate the recognition.”

Holober also thanked district voters for supporting bond measures.

The other two green building award winners were Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco for new homes in Daly City, and Shamrock Shack, a third-generation remodeled home in Pacifica.

Shamrock Shack was the nickname for the cabin built by the parents of Pat Kremer in 1938. She and her husband Jim Kremer modernized the cabin, which was originally made from salvaged materials, with solar panels and dual flush toilets.

“When we began this project we didn’t even know there was such a thing" as a green remodel award, Pat said.  “We were just trying to show our personal priorities in our remodeling project.”

The Sustainability Awards are based on nominations the organization receives for companies and projects that embrace environmental health, social equity and economic prosperity. The four winners of that award were: Earthbeam Natural Foods, Bridge Housing’s Trestle Glen Affordable Housing Development, Lyngso Garden Materials, and

Next up on SSMC’s agenda is the release of its annual Indicators for a Sustainable San Mateo County report, which will feature an expanded economy and jobs section. The report will be unveiled April 27.