Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority Receives Numerous Awards For Management Efficiencies of Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

DETROIT, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority (DWJBA), owner, manager and operator of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, has been recognized by federal, state and local organizations for management best practices and operational standards. 

The Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) announced that the 2012 Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) award for government buildings went to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC).  The DWJBA has been the recipient of the TOBY award for two consecutive years as a member of the BOMA North Central Region consisting of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. The award was received for "a superior managed government building in Michigan recognizing continuous improvements and reducing annual operating expenses." 

Founded in 1908, BOMA is a professional trade association whose members either own or manage commercial real estate, or provide goods and services to the industry. The TOBY Awards is recognized as the most prestigious and comprehensive program of its kind in commercial real estate for excellence in building management and operations in specific categories based on building size and/or type. All facets of a building's operations are thoroughly evaluated, including tenant relations programs, community involvement, emergency preparedness, environmental stewardship, security standards, and continuing education for building personnel.   

"TOBY winners represent the commercial real estate industry's best of the best in the office management setting; they are the benchmark for industry excellence," said Sharon Carruthers, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and TOBY Award Chair for BOMA of Metro Detroit.

"Having judged the Coleman A. Young building for BOMA, I can attest the transformation, though still ongoing, has been nothing short of remarkable," states Kirk VanMeerbeeck, BOMA member and TOBY judge.

In 2012, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), awarded the DWJBA its seventh consecutive ENERGY STAR; the national symbol for superior leadership in energy efficiencies and environmental protection achievements. 

The Detroit Audubon Society and Michigan Audubon recognized the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in 2012 for its support of Safe Passage Great Lakes, stating that, "By agreeing to turn off unnecessary lighting in your building during bird migration seasons, you have shown a deep understanding of helping to provide safe passage through the Great Lakes for thousands of night-migrating birds. In addition, you have recognized the reduction in electricity usage-and therefore, air pollution that turning off unnecessary lights provides."

"In our continuous efforts in best-practices in management and environmental principles, the Authority uses standards and benchmarks that measure effective and sustainable operational and cost efficiencies," states DWJA Executive Director Gregory McDuffee.  "Every initiative is focused on making CAYMC cost-effective for taxpayers and a fully accessible, safe and welcoming environment for building employees and visitors."

For the seven year period 2005-2012, the savings and reductions achieved by the DWJBA are noteworthy.

• Reduction in operating costs by 55%  from $15 million to $6.9 million
• Reduction in utility expenses by 68% from  $3.3 million to $1.05 million
• Overall operating expense cost avoidance exceeding $53 million

BACKGROUND:  The DWJBA manages the municipal landmark constructed in 1955 at a cost of $26,000,000.  Major tenants in the 747,000 square foot building are the City of Detroit's Executive and Legislative Branches, the Clerk Offices for the City of Detroit, and County of Wayne, Wayne County Probate Court and the 3^rd Judicial Circuit Courts. 

SOURCE The Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority