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Forest Heights is moving closer to becoming a "green" town, possibly the first in Prince George's County, as the town prepares for construction this week on an eco-friendly roof for its administration building.

During a Town Council meeting Sept. 16, council members laid out final plans for an approximately $200,000 renovation to the building that includes a green roof and installing energy-efficient windows, as well as a complete renovation of its multipurpose room, including installing a video screen, audio system and energy-efficient appliances in the building's kitchen.

"It's long overdue," said John Kennedy, a resident who frequents town meetings.

The building houses the town's administrative office and police station. It is also used for meetings and workshops by the council.

The building hasn't undergone a major upgrade since it was built in 1954. For years, residents and town staff had to contend with a leaky roof, and the building ran high energy bills because its windows did not keep cool and warm air from escaping, said Councilwoman Jacqueline Goodall.

The renovations are expected to cut the town's energy bill by up to 50 percent. The roof is expected to be completed by late October, and the rest of the renovation will conclude by the end of the year.

Goodall said the town hopes to become a "green" model for other municipalities around the country. The goal, she said, is for the town to produce zero storm water runoff into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed because storm water often carries pollutants.

A green roof, estimated to cost approximately $100,000, would cover the top of the building with small, low-growing plants. Unlike traditional flat rooftops, a green roof has multiple membrane layers to absorb and drain water. The roof would better insulate the building and reduce energy costs.

A green roof lasts as much as 10 to 20 years longer than a traditional roof. However, a green roof costs two to three times as much to build, estimated to be about $15 to $25 per square foot.

The roof and building renovations will be paid for mostly through state grants and bonds. Goodall said the town discovered this summer that it had an unused bond bill from 2006 for $150,000.

The money was applied to the renovation and gave the town resources to start a design process that would renovate the outside of the building to install rain gardens, which allow storm water to filter through a vegetated garden.

"We're very optimistic," Goodall said. "We'll be the greenest town in Maryland."