Armed Forces Retirement Home Green Roof Assessment

The Armed Forces Retirement Home–Gulfport (AFRH–G) closed its doors after almost thirty years of operation in August 2005 as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Residents were evacuated from the facility and many chose to live at the Armed Forces Retirement Home–Washington (AFRH–W) until they could return to Gulfport.  Congress authorized approximately $240 million for the rebuild of the Gulfport home. Construction began in January 2008. Under current regulations, Federal agencies are required to ensure that new construction and major renovation of agency buildings comply with the "Guiding Principles for Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings" set forth in the Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Memorandum of Understanding.  Additionally, Federal agencies must ensure that 15 % of the existing Federal capital asset building inventory of the agency as of the end of fiscal year 2015 incorporates the sustainable practices in the "Guiding Principles..." One of these guiding principles is the pursuit of cost-effective, innovative strategies, such as highly reflective and vegetated roofs, to minimize consumption of energy, water, and materials.  To meet these sustainable building criteria, the design of the new AFRH–G included nearly 2 acres of accessible green roof.  The green roof was installed in April 2010.  Care for the green roof was to be maintained by the grounds keeping contractor.  No specific guidance was given to the grounds crew or the Director of Campus Operations as to how to care for a vegetated roof.  As a result there has been low plant survival,  which increases the maintenance costs and decreases the environmental benefits of the green roof. Not only does this green roof provide environmental benefits, it is also accessible to residents living on the second floor of the complex.  For residents of higher floors, the roof provides an aesthetic view shed. In 2011, Certified Green Roof Professionals from the Mississippi State University  Coastal Research and Extension Center began working with the facility to rehabilitate the existing roof and provide a maintenance plan.  A strategy was developed to better maintain the green roof’s environmental integrity and to improve the residents’ experience with the green space.  Collection of baseline information will allow researchers to assess the performance of the green roof, providing much needed information regarding green roof vegetation, design, and environmental tolerance for the Gulf South.