40TH Timeline BETA
The 1970s
“ENERGY USE, ALTERNATIVES AND RELATED SUBJECTS”
Urban Options is born in 1978.
The 1970s
“ENERGY USE, ALTERNATIVES AND RELATED SUBJECTS”
“The Energy House” is conceptualized in the late 1970s.
The 1970s
“ENERGY USE, ALTERNATIVES AND RELATED SUBJECTS”
Early Urban Options staff and volunteers fashion a solar greenhouse as part of the first Energy House.
The 1970s
“ENERGY USE, ALTERNATIVES AND RELATED SUBJECT”
The original house located on Linden Street. Next door to it is the second “Energy Demonstration House,” which is still the organization’s headquarters today.
The 1980s
A TIMELY MISSION THEN AND NOW
Urban Options defines its purpose and much of the work it would do in subsequent decades: energy efficiency, renewable energy, education and local sustainability. Services offered by Urban Options and remembered fondly by some people still today include a home and garden tool-lending program and a community library.
The 1980s
A TIMELY MISSION THEN AND NOW
For decades, the Pretty Shaky String Band holds weekly jam sessions at Urban Options.
The 1980s
REDUCE. REUSE. RELOCATE.
Despite the efforts of Urban Options staff and supporters, they, in fact, do not save the original house from the wrecking ball.
The 1980s
REDUCE. REUSE. RELOCATE.
Urban Options strikes a deal with the City of East Lansing to relocate the Dutch Colonial Revival house next door to its existing spot at 405 Grove Street. At the time, energy upgrades to this historic building include a passive solar addition, double-pane casement windows, insulation and eventually a solar roof.
The 1980s
REDUCE. REUSE. RELOCATE.
One of the early editions of The Sundial newsletter, November 1981.
The 1990s
NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND CLASSIC COMPOST
Urban Options increasingly becomes known for introducing new energy-saving technologies into the marketplace—including compact fluorescent light bulbs. Back in the day, CFLs were more expensive than incandescent lights.
The 1990s
NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND CLASSIC COMPOST
Urban Options is also known for teaching people how to do worm composting.
The 1990s
NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND CLASSIC COMPOST
Urban Options cultivates the worm compost to help grow the flourishing garden.
The 1990s
THE FIRST SOLAR ROOF IN THE STATE
Urban Options is an early adopter and demonstration center for solar power, including its innovative solar roof in the late 1990s.
The 1990s
THE FIRST SOLAR ROOF IN THE STATE
Today this 2-kilowatt solar roof is still providing the building a source of clean, renewable electricity. Paired with an additional 1.2 kilowatts of solar panels added in 2011, nearly 40 percent of electricity needs are met on site.
The 2000s
NORTH AND A NAME CHANGE
In 2005, Urban Options opens an office in Marquette called Northern Options, becoming the first energy nonprofit to have a presence above the bridge.
The 2000s
NORTH AND A NAME CHANGE
Volume 26 of The Sundial newsletter announcing the Northern Options office in the Upper Peninsula.
The 2000s
NORTH AND A NAME CHANGE
In 2009, Urban Options and Northern Options undergo a name change to Michigan Energy Options, in part, to signify the expansion of work across the entire state.
The 2010s
THE GREENEST OF THE GREEN
In 2012, Michigan Energy Options achieves the greenest of designations for a green building: the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification.
The 2010s
THE GREENEST OF THE GREEN
Among the new features that earn the highest of certifications is a sustainable site design that includes a rain garden which helps to capture 80 percent of the storm water on site.
The 2010s
THE GREENEST OF THE GREEN
Current and former directors of Urban Options and MEO celebrate the LEED Platinum certification.