CHAIRMAN GEORGE DUNCAN ANNOUNCES GREEN ROOF INITIATIVE AT ENTERPRISE BANK’S MAIN OFFICE IN DOWNTOWN LOWELL

DATE: June 4, 2008

Founder and Chairman of the Board of Enterprise Bank George Duncan was inspired by his daughter, Alison Duncan, a professional landscape architect, to consider a sustainable and environmentally friendly “green roof” for a section of the bank’s downtown Lowell facilities. “The roof, overhanging our second floor offices at 27 Palmer Street, was in need of repair,” says Duncan. “The timing was perfect to take on an innovative approach that would improve the roof’s aesthetic appearance, functionality, and support our eco-friendly initiatives”. Helping to bring the first green roof to downtown Lowell, Alison designed and produced construction documents for the green roof plantings, working closely with local architect Phil Belanger of Belanger & Foley, Inc. of Chelmsford, MA, who completed construction documents for the new roof structure.

Green building and eco-friendly business decisions are becoming more main stream. Businesses like Enterprise Bank are working to become increasingly environmentally responsible. Mr. Duncan felt that this initiative could be a demonstration project for other businesses in the area. According to Enterprise Bank’s EVP Robert Gilman, who coordinated the project for the bank, “a green roof – a covering of soil and plants – reduces energy and electrical usage for the building, lowering the costs of heat and air conditioning over the long term. It holds carbon dioxide and other pollutants, purifies the air, and produces oxygen. In addition, it extends the longevity of the roof. As an added benefit, the roof is visually appealing. It is visible to bank employees and the bank’s neighboring tenants and building owners who can view the roof garden from above. We feel confident that we can demonstrate the viability of “eco-roof” structures with this installation.”

The roof design entails a series of different bands of plant material of similar colors extending out under the windows of the building’s second floor office space. Soil depth is approximately 3”- 4”. The plants were chosen based on their color, hardiness, and availability. They include sedums and low-growing perennials. A full planted carpet will take approximately 2-3 years to develop.

Both George and other Enterprise Bank team members believe there are strong civic benefits to green roof projects for Lowell and other transitioning industrial areas. The green roof serves to support Lowell's identity as a 'demonstration city', building on the innovation of the industrial revolution by demonstrating the possibilities and potential of the 'greening revolution' of industry that is occurring nationwide. The project also offers educational opportunities to showcase information about our urban environment and ecology.

It is not surprising that George Duncan, known locally as an avid gardener, active supporter of Lowell’s Flowering City initiatives, and business leader was inspired by an idea that added beauty, supported the city’s green efforts, and demonstrated that green practices can translate to best management practices. Enterprise Bank will continue to look for additional opportunities to make “green initiatives” a core element in all of our expansion plans.

Enterprise Bank’s green roof can be viewed by appointment by calling Diane Pappas at 978-656-5619.