Iowa's first zero-carbon building breaks ground Thursday

Iowa's first building constructed with Zero Carbon Certification begins this month.

Catch up fast: Star Lofts is a $7.2 million, 20-unit affordable housing project by Anawim Housing and Cutler Development.

• It's located at the former site of the Star gas station along Ingersoll Avenue and will have commercial space on the first floor.

Driving the news: A groundbreaking ceremony is Thursday, with construction expected to take about a year.

Why it matters: The certification means that 100% of the energy used to construct the project will be offset with renewable energy.

• Mass timber — a low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel — is being used in the construction.