Credit union building goes green

LAKELAND - Dealing with money, you might think that Magnify Credit Union is as green as it can get. Nope. But now, it's going the distance.

Magnify is building what could be the greenest building in Florida. Its new office, under construction in south Lakeland, is getting a lot of attention from builders and tradesmen who have never seen anything like it before.

"I think it's pretty neat," offered Darrick Peck, an electrician working on the project. "I think it's the wave of the future."

The building won't need to buy any electricity. It will generate everything it needs and more from hundreds of solar panels on the roof.

Much of the building will made from recycled materials. The flooring will be made from recycled tires. Countertops will be made from recycled dollar bills.

Rain will be collected on the roof, then stored in underground tanks until it's needed for the irrigation system and bathrooms.

Magnify's CEO, John Santarpia, says his company wanted to stand out.

"Financial institutions basically provide the same quality service. They have the same products. We want to go the extra mile. We want to be involved in the community and educate the community on going green," Santarpia said.

Magnify's new office is scheduled to open this July.