Taking part in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new $1.1 million Toledo Public Works Building were left to right: Dave Stoklasa, Snyder and Associates; Al Buck, Solum Lang Architects, Duane Upah, Mark Zmolek, Bill Davis, Duane Pansegrau, Nancy Burk, Elmer (Skip) Wilson, Mayor Pam Wood, Greg Johnson, aide to Congressman Leonard Boswell, John Murty and Kaye Stoklasa. Chronicle/Charley Townsley

TOLEDO CHRONICLE – Toledo city officials reigned over a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house, Saturday, March 12, for the nearly completed public works building, located in the southwest quadrant of Toledo.

The $1.024 million dollar facility was funded by a $727,500 in I-Jobs grant and $296,500 local contribution.

According to city engineer Dave Stoklasa, Snyder and Associates, Cedar Rapids, Toledo accumulated extra points for the I-Jobs grant by making the facility a “green” environment.

“There were several areas where we did specific things to help earn points for the competitive I-Jobs grant,” he said.

Some of the features that helped secure the grant were:

Some of the persons attending the open house are hsown at the new Toledo Public Works Building on Saturday, March 12.

• Location close to multi-modal transportation (STC REC Trail)

• Geo-thermal heating

• Storm water detention pond (helps reduce the rate of run off)

• Permeable parking surfaces (gravel, which slows down run off)

• Daylight and passive solar heating through overhead doors

Toleod resident Bob Walton stands in front of a hazmat shower installed in case of accidental contact by an employee with a hazardous material.

• Meets state building energy code (extra insulation)

A group of local persons were on hand for the ribbon cutting and open house which followed.

One of the safety features at the new Toledo Public Works building is this large hose to remove exhaust fromt the building while working on trucks .

This catch basin located on the west side of the Public Works building will collect runoff water and let it disperse at a slower rate, than would happen under normal runoff circumstances. Chronicle Photos/Charley Townsley