This paper explores the concept of how building renovations can benefit a city in an environmental aspect. Focusing on the city of Winston-Salem in North Carolina, this study compares the financial investment in renovating an existing structure over constructing a new structure from the ground up. Furthermore, this study seeks to find whether or not the financial savings in renovation can be used to incorporate ecofriendly aspects in the construction to make the structure a certified green building. Lastly, this study seeks to examine how or if the environmental impact of the renovation is communicated to the public.