The new home of UB’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at 555 Ellicott St. has been recognized as “gold” under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

Completed last year, the $26-million, 68,000-square-foot structure is located next to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. EOC provides a range of tuition-free remedial, vocational and academic programs that help prepare students for college and careers. Its programs also help train students for health-industry careers.

EOC adds to UB’s growing list of LEED-certified buildings, among them Barbara and Jack Davis Hall, Creekside Village apartments, William R. Greiner Residence Hall, John and Editha Kapoor Hall and Crossroads Culinary Center.

In addition to the LEED certification, EOC was one of two UB buildings to receive a “Brick by Brick” award from Buffalo Business First. The annual building competition recognized EOC as one of three “Best Collegiate Education” buildings constructed in Western New York last year.

Also winning a “Brick by Brick” award was Crossroads Culinary Center, the new North Campus dining facility that serves up to 3,800 students living in the Ellicott Complex and Greiner Hall.