An educational opportunity: The future of St. Paul's School

In the shadow of the Garden City Hotel stands an architectural and historical jewel, long forsaken but never forgotten. Earlier this year the residents of Garden City voiced their support and respect for St. Paul's School by voting overwhelmingly against its proposed demolition, ensuring that this irreplaceable landmark will continue to grace the community and its residents. Constructed in 1879 by Cornelia Stewart, widow of Alexander Turney Stewart, St. Paul's was to form the nucleus of her husband's vision of a "planned community" and served for years as an all-boys college preparatory school. This magnificent high Victorian Gothic structure was never intended to serve as a monument; it was designed to serve the residents of the young village. While greater minds than mine can ponder the question of what function St. Paul's will serve there should be no question as to how St. Paul's will function. The restoration and adaptive reuse of St. Paul's can again provide value to the residents of Garden City by seeking LEED certification. Green building should never be defined as simply "the right thing to do;" it is also the smart thing to do. Saving energy saves money. Ensuring that the indoor environment is healthful makes unquestionable sense. Using water more efficiently is both cost effective and responsible. Considered early in the design phase, LEED certification need not add any additional cost but can provide incredible value. St. Paul's can continue to educate and reward this now well established community and generations to come. When you build green, everyone profits. The mission of the USGBC-LI is quite simple: "We are committed to working with our fellow Long Islanders to improve our quality of life by improving the quality of the structures we build, and the environment in which we all live, work, and play. We are committed to leaving the world a little better than we found it so that future generations have an unfettered opportunity to do the same." I believe the same sentiment motivated the original construction of St. Paul's and embodied the hopes of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart for the future residents of Garden City. I'd like to think that the April vote against demolition of this irreplaceable family heirloom was but the first step towards securing a better and brighter future for St. Paul's and in so doing, preserving the future of Garden City itself. For more information please email [email protected]. Vince Capogna, LEED AP+, is the executive director of US Green Building Council - Long Island and principal of Synergy Green Building Group, Inc., New Hyde Park, N.Y.