Greyhound will begin operations from its new downtown site on Lafayette Street beginning Feb. 2, company officials announced Monday.

Relatedly, the company will have an open house on Feb. 1. The event, to run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with food and refreshments being served, will see brief speeches from Mayor Karl Dean and Myron Watkins, Greyhound vice president of customer experience.

Built on 1.43 acres at Lafayette and 709 Fifth Ave. S., the Greyhound terminal building offers about 8,450 square feet, eight bus bays, 40 parking spaces, and a restaurant. The design is sleek and contemporary, highlighted by blue metal and lots of glass. The new terminal is only the third LEED-certified Greyhound prototype terminal to open in North America. The facility uses strategies that improve energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions and indoor environmental quality.

The Gores honored Earth Hour by shutting off the lights at their residence. The heating and air conditioning were turned off as well. But more importantly, the Gores live in a Gold LEED certified home, powered by geothermal power. They have undergone renovations to put solar panels on the roof and participate in all of the renewable power programs offered by their local utility. They aren’t perfect, no family is, but they do their best, year-round to try to make a difference at home and across the country to make a difference on the climate crisis.