Destiny USA announces it's donating space for Project EverGREEN Schools.

Friday, February 20, 2009

The first announced occupant for Carousel Center mall's expansion isn't a retailer, it's an energy "learning center."

Destiny USA announced Thursday it is donating 17,000 square feet for classroom space for Project EverGREEN Schools.

"We are the first learning center to sign on to a national network that will provide 'hands-on' learning in an incredibly important arena," said Destiny executive David Aitken.

Destiny also said the mall expansion would have a 3.2 megawatt solar rooftop array "the largest in the United States."

The 1.3-million-square-foot addition to Carousel Center, under construction, is the first phase of Destiny USA's plan for a retail, hotel and entertainment complex that will showcase environmentally friendly technologies. At 17,000 square feet, the learning center will be slightly smaller than the Old Navy store in the mall's basement.

"Project EverGREEN Schools will create a nationwide network of learning labs outside of the schools that are enriched with challenging, hands-on learning experiences," said Bryan Zaplitny in a news release.

Zaplitny is president of Clean Green Energy, based in Michigan and a backer of EverGREEN.

On its Web site, Project EverGREEN Schools says its "immediate challenge is to create the next generation of energy innovators, not only inventors and engineers, but also community leaders and policy makers."

"We are thrilled to be the host of Project EverGREEN School's first learning laboratory," said Destiny USA developer Robert Congel, in the release. "Destiny is committed to energy literacy, and we stand ready to provide a rigorous project-oriented energy curriculum at our learning center."

"We look forward to working with Clean Green Energy to review technologies that will be incorporated into our learning center," Congel said in the release. "We're thrilled to support President Obama in our nation's pursuit for a sustainable green environment."

Destiny's second phase a 1,342-room, $450 million hotel has been delayed because of difficulties in obtaining financing.

Contact Charles McChesney at cmcchesney@syracuse.com or 470-2244.

 

By Charles McChesney
Staff writer
Original Story: http://www.syracuse.com/business/index.ssf?/base/business-14/1235123855315150.xml&coll=1