Baird Center wins high mark for sustainability

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Baird Center in Milwaukee was recognized as one of the most sustainable convention centers in the country.

The Wisconsin Center District on Monday announced the $456 million expansion received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Gold certification is the second highest designation the USGBC awards a building and only a handful of convention centers in the country have achieved the level of recognition for sustainability, officials said.

Gilbane Building Co. and C.D. Smith Construction were the general contractors for the project, which opened in May 2024 and increased the center’s footprint to 1.3 million square feet. Project partners included TVS Design, EUA and Henderson Engineers. CAA ICON managed the project.

Construction involved recycled materials and the building used state-of-the-art green features, which allowed the project to raise the bar for sustainable practices in the convention, meeting and events industry, officials said. LEED uses a range of colors for its rating system with platinum at the top.

“We are thrilled to receive LEED Gold certification for Baird Center,” said Marty Brooks, the president and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District. “This achievement reflects our commitment to sustainability and innovation, ensuring that Baird Center serves as a model for sustainable construction while providing a world-class space for the community and visitors alike,” he added.

Projects score LEED Gold when they “above and beyond” to ensure the building is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability, officials said. Baird Center earned its Gold certification by meeting rigorous standards in energy efficiency, water conservation, material sustainability and indoor environmental quality, officials added.

Here are key sustainability features of Baird Center.

• A solar roof that avoids the consumption of 98,130 kilowatt hours
• A 320,000-gallon stormwater detention system to help prevent flooding
• Bird-friendly glass to reduce collisions
• An ORCA food digester that diverts 438 tons of food waste per year from landfills
• 90% of the 6,000 tons of steel used in construction was recycled
• Reclaimed urban wood that would have gone to landfills.

“By assembling the right team and exceeding WCD’s initial goal of LEED Silver to achieve LEED Gold, we’ve contributed to a healthier Milwaukee and created a national model for sustainable event venues,” said Dave Hubka, the sustainability practice lead at EUA. “It’s been a privilege to collaborate with WCD, TVS, Henderson and Gilbane/Smith to deliver the iconic Baird Center,” he added.

The Moscone Center in San Francisco and the Seattle Convention Center scored the platinum level for LEED certification, according to Skift Meetings. Nearly a dozen more convention centers are on the list for LEED Gold certification, and the Las Vegas Convention Center and Chicago’s McCormick Place are both awaiting LEED certification.

The Daily Reporter will host its annual Top Projects event at Baird Center on Wednesday, May 7.