Politics & Government

Joliet Denny's Goes Green

The Plainfield Road eatery one of select few restaurants to receive LEED certification.

Submitted by Will County Executive Larry Walsh:

Will County Executive Larry Walsh joined Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante and others to recognize Denny’s for earning LEED certification on Monday, making it one of a few dozen eateries worldwide to be so recognized.

According to the United States Green Building Council the restaurant at 2531 Plainfield Road is the first restaurant in Will County to earn the certification. A LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, certification recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. Of the 20,000 buildings in the world that are LEED-certified, only 38 are restaurants.

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“We are proud of the commitment Denny’s has made to our environment and to Will County,” Walsh said. “Adopting these LEED strategies will make this location energy efficient and help reduce its reliance on natural resources.”

Owners Joe and Susan Terrell said LEED guidelines were used in every phase of construction, including the use of recycled materials and responsible recycling of all waste materials generated during the project. Energy efficient appliances as well as many water and energy conservation innovations were included in the building.

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Joe Terrell estimates he is saving $20,000 per year in utility charges.

“We have embraced the green building guidelines,” he said. “It is important to me, as a grandfather, to do more than leave this planet as we found it.”

“These changes have been both economically and environmentally advantageous for our restaurant,” said Joe Terrell. “We are proud to be doing our part for the environment.”


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