The city transit authority's maintenance and operations facility has qualified as a U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, building. The $18 million building earned a LEED Gold certification.

The city got the plaque this week. Plans for a celebration ceremony are still in the works.

LEED guidelines help building conserve water and energy, reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and make structures healthy for occupants.

The building, off of Meadowview Road, features solar hot water and a rooftop flower bed that insulates the storage spaces and garages and reduces storm water runoff. More details on how the city got the certification can be found here.

It's the first city-built LEED-certified building, but it's not the only one to incorporate "green" features. The city has several library branches and fire houses with energy-efficient features. City hall also has solar panels on the roof.