"Welcome to the Boulevard!" This was the theme Wednesday night at the grand opening of the new Sacramento News & Review building. Their new location at 1124 Del Paso Blvd. is a state-of-the-art green complex that will set the standard for new buildings in Sacramento.

Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy emceed the event, which included guest speakers from the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and Jeff von Kaenel, the chief executive officer of SN&R. Close to 100 people attended the event.

"This project was weighed down by problems facing infill developments," Sheedy said. "If it wasn't for the extraordinary work of SHRA and Jeff and Deborah Redmond, chief operating officer of SN&R, this would have never happened."

The new building was financed with the assistance of funds from North Sacramento Tax Increments and a commercial loan provided by theSHRA.

The new SN&R headquarters took over an existing building on Del Paso that housed the Glory Food Mart. Major renovations were done to surpass Title 24 (energy-efficiency standards) building codes.

"This building was designed to be 27 percent better that Title 24 standards," Redmond said. "We took steps that may seem costly upfront, but the long-term environmental footprint is very minimal."

Green innovations are everywhere in the design and construction. Recycled blue jeans create the insulation for the building. Left exposed in the rafters, the jean material is not only pleasing to the eye but also the environment.

"I believe we are the first building I have seen with the exposed blue jean insulation," Redmond said. "It's pretty unusual to leave it exposed."

The building also contains waterless urinals, Energy Star appliances, skylights and large windows. Natural light pours into their offices, decreasing the need for artificial lighting. The computer terminals and lights are programmed to shut off at 7 p.m. to save power unless manually turned on. Carpet was replaced by cement, and recycled vodka and beer bottles make up the countertops.

"Going green is about small, attainable goals," reporter Nick Miller said. "The attitude of the building is contagious. I'm more conscientious about my decisions at home."

Sheedy voiced her opinion that all new buildings in Sacramento should be as green as SN&R. Sheedy praised SN&R for being the new owner and occupants of "one of the greenest buildings in the Sacramento region."

"This is a great day for Sacramento News & Review," Sheedy said. "This is a great day for the Del Paso community."

Photos courtesy of Matthew Ceccato

Photo #1: Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy and CEO of SN&R Jeff von Kaenel
Photo #2: The ribbon before it was cut
Photo #3: Jeff von Kaenel addressing the crowd
Photo #4: County Supervisor Roger Dickinson assisting Kaenel cutting the ribbon
Photo #5: The crowd gathered for the opening, notice the blue jean insulation