Blue Earth and Nicollet County Humane Society Riverside Regional Pet Shelter

Blue Earth and Nicollet County Humane Society’s old facility in Mankato was deteriorating and literally at a breaking point. It was landlocked in an old house in a residential neighborhood. Based on its limited size of 800 sf, it could be licensed only for 10 dogs and 35 cats, far below the local demand for care. In addition, the roof leaked, drywall and plaster was crumbling and there were only two parking spaces for visitors, staff and volunteers.

The new Riverside Regional Pet Shelter facility has much more space for the organization from housing animals, caring for them, open space outdoors, access to the Minnesota River trail system and offers much greater exposure to the community. The expanded parking offers space for staff, volunteers and visitors.

This project will soon become the first Minnesota animal shelter project to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Certified.

The PV solar panels and energy efficiency will lower the organizations operational costs and help focus the contribution it receives to go directly to caring for the cars and dogs it houses. Pavers in permeable parking areas, rain gardens and special parking for fuel efficient/hybrid vehicles or carpools also contributed to the organization’s sustainable goals.

This project was modeled in REVIT for all presentation & construction drawings, allowing it to be used in energy modeling for the building as well.

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