The people of Charleston came out Wednesday to Rotary Room A at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library with their questions and ideas for the upcoming Center for Clean Energy Research and Education estimated to cost $1 million and take one year to build.

One person, who identified himself as a carpenter here at Eastern, suggested the eaves be moved out to provide more shade to keep the building cooler and save on energy cost.

President Bill Perry said that the suggestion would be taken into consideration and that it will be discussed further at the second meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m. and also said that energy efficiencies will be a concern in the design and construction of this building.

“But it doesn’t have to be that way,” Perry said. “As we found out when we took down the old scrubber the folks in the student services building had to wear sunglasses in the morning…so point taken.”

Another person asked what other things would be plated on the land West of the Renewable Energy Plant, other than the poplar that has already been planted there and it was reported that a variety of grasses and other types of trees.

Perry said there is four out of ten acres of land in use presently.

One person asked if community gardening would be considered, and Perry said there are issues of access that would have to be looked at and there are a number of aspects to take into consideration.

He said that there will be chemistry labs and a community learning space also.

Perry envisions the center as away to inspire young students to become interested in the sciences and said they are in talks with the Charleston School district to incorporate an entrepreneurial class at the center.

He said if they could use the center to get these young students excited about renewable energy that there would be an area set aside called the Idea Incubator, for students to start working with concepts they envision and develop them into something tangible.

It was also suggested that the university use the center in open houses. Perry said the university could add a questionnaire and ask questions about the environment and then the center could be made part of their tour.

“I think the possibilities are unlimited,” he said. “To me the most exciting thing is to create more opportunities for Charleston and in time the region.”

Perry said another product that has been considered for use in the Renewable Energy Plant is corn stover, the leaves and stalks left in the field after harvest. He said if the stover was mixed 50/50 with wood chips it would only take 10 percent of the stover in Coles County to power the plant for one year.

“It will be great for our students,” Perry said. “It will be great for the students in the community and it will be great for some individuals who have some ideas that might get started here.”

Perry is hoping to break ground by Jan. 1.

Marcus Smith can be reached at 581-2812 or masmith6@eiu.edu.