Liz Cooper
[email protected]

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (June 2, 2025) — MassBay Community College has been awarded the LEED Gold certification for its Framingham campus building located at 490 Franklin Street. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable.

“MassBay Framingham stands as a beacon of progress, innovation, and sustainability,” said MassBay Community College President David Podell. “This dynamic community facility houses the space, equipment, and technology needed to prepare generations of students for the jobs of today and of the future in needed health care, educational, and human service professions. The LEED Gold certification is an affirmation of MassBay's commitment to care and serve the MetroWest community. We are grateful to Governor Maura Healey, Senate President Karen Spilka, and our donors and supporters who made this remarkable building possible, and to the talented architects and construction professionals who designed and built it.”

MassBay Framingham was constructed by Lee Kennedy, Co. of Quincy, MA, overseen by the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance. The lead architect was Sasaki Associates, Inc. of Boston, MA in collaboration with Studio ENEE of Boston.

MassBay achieved LEED Gold certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

The building design provides for the conservation of energy and water, and the facility generates as much energy as it consumes each year. Throughout the campus, green placards detail the interior and external environmental features, which include:

Certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to ensure the space is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability. More than 129,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 12 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and more than 186 countries and territories.

“MassBay’s LEED Gold certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC. “LEED was created to make the world a better place and revolutionize our buildings and communities by providing everyone with access to healthy, green and high performing buildings. MassBay is a prime example of how the innovative work of project teams can create local solutions that contribute to making a global difference.”

The MassBay Framingham campus houses courses in Health Sciences, Early Childhood Education, Human Services, as well as many general education classes.

MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston and is free to most Massachusetts residents without a bachelor’s degree. With more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs, along with comprehensive workforce and educational training, MassBay provides a wide range of courses with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Wellesley, Framingham, the Automotive Technology Center in Ashland, and online, in high-demand fields including health and life sciences, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, business, and the humanities. MassBay students receive unparalleled value, with free one-on-one academic and social support services, compassionate and experienced faculty, and stackable credits that easily transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and that provide hands-on, workforce-ready skills. Health sciences, human services, early childhood education, and many general education programs are offered at the 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art MassBay Framingham, which has served the community since January 2024. Founded in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by multiple governing bodies and remains dedicated to serving its diverse communities, fostering inclusiveness, and advancing equity for all.

About the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to transforming how buildings and communities are designed, built and operated to create thriving, healthy, equitable and resilient places that advance human and environmental wellbeing. USGBC leads market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.