Notable Leaders in Sustainability: Marty Brooks

Class of 2023

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During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marty Brooks, chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Center District, was making decisions about the $456 million Baird Center expansion. Despite the COVID-initiated economic crisis, Brooks planned the project with sustainability in mind, according to Joe Scialfa, director of communications for WCD.

โ€œHe chose to invest in Milwaukeeโ€™s future by making the expansion a model of sustainability for the hospitality and entertainment industry,โ€ said Scialfa. โ€œBut more importantly, he believes that being green is an investment in the long-term health of the greater Milwaukee community and the people who call it home.โ€

At the onset of the expansion project, Brooks set a high-priority goal of obtaining LEED silver certification. With that in mind, the construction management team presented him with a variety of green features that would help WCD meet certification requirements, including triple-silver low-emissivity glass on the faรงade, bird-friendly glass on the skywalk, a rooftop solar array and a 320,000-gallon underground stormwater detention system.

โ€œThese features were not mandated by the city or the state. Marty knows that having a sustainable facility gives the Baird Center a competitive advantage,โ€ said Scialfa.