Multi-Housing News - May 2009 - (Page 20)

green properties Shades of Green Three 2008 Green Initiative Award winners demonstrate that sustainability can survive the recession By Michael Russo, Contributing Editor Last year, the Tower Companies earned an MHN Green Initiative Award for its “Beyond Green” program. A three-generation family-owned business in Rockville, Md., The Tower Companies was an early proponent of green building, pioneering new concepts such as wind power. The Blairs in Silver Spring, Md. was America’s first LEED-certified apartment building. As an Environmental Protection Agency Climate Leaders Partner, the Tower Companies pledged to reduce the atmospheric admissions attributable to its buildings and become carbon neutral by 2012. It reached this goal in 2008. “Any developer today building at less than the LEED Silver level is installing products that are already obsolete,” says Marnie Abramson, principal of The Tower Companies. “In many jurisdictions, it’s almost impossible to develop commercial or residential space that doesn’t meet the minimum requirements of LEED.” According to Abramson, the biggest obstacle in the beginning was the lack of green or “sustainable” products, but that industry has blossomed. “When we started out on The Blairs, the standards that existed were designed for commercial offices.” The biggest challenge for The Tower Companies right now is determining the best way to generate on-site energy for new developments. The Blairs project was unique in that it used energy produced at a wind farm, but these facilities are rarely colocated with the development. To its credit, the company had to satisfy itself with a rather long, 16-year payback on energy-saving window renovations for The Blairs. “For us, this was mission-critical,” recalls Abramson. “But if a developer could write these improvements off in seven years, it would be a no-brainer for most.” “It’s understandable that a developer with no green experience will worry how much sustainability costs, and how much more time it will take,” says Abramson. “You only see a cost premium for LEED level construction if you choose to certify,” Abramson continues. “And even then, it’s usually less than $1 per square foot.” The Tower Companies may be more altruistic than most developers, but the firm considers its green initiatives more than just a marketing strategy or stamp of approval. “We’re creating a sustainable, long-term benefit to the communities where we build,” says Abramson. By recycling, the company says it can divert 90 percent of construction waste from landfills. That’s equal to 400,000 pounds of garbage on an average 160,000-square-foot new construction project. “Recycling, water conservation and sustainable building design is not that difficult,” says Abramson. “It seems like an extra step the first time you do it, but it becomes a habit—like brushing your teeth.” Post’s ‘Eco-Active’ program Although Atlanta is Post Properties’ only market requiring an industry-wide recycling program, the company has used its program as a model for nationwide expansion since 1995. Now, recycling centers are available in all Post markets for residents to recycle everything from newspaper to glass, aluminum, steel and plastic. Post has been nurturing a long list of sustainable initiatives from the recycling of carpets to the use of organic pesticides and cleaning products. Energy savings and water conservation are also top priorities. The company has instituted an internal energy savings awards program, with dramatic results. Twice a year, Post’s Ancillary Services Group looks at energy-saving opportunities across all properties. Last year’s winner cut electrical consumption in its leasing and common areas by 18.6 percent. “All we had to do was educate and encourage 20 May 2009 | Multi-Housing News | Official Publication of Multi-Housing World

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Multi-Housing News - May 2009

Multi-Housing News - May 2009
Contents
From the Editor
Executive Insight: David Picerne
Market Pulse
Investment: A Safer Haven
Finance: Weathering the Risks
Case Study: Industrial Chic
Profile: Green Properties
Technology: Social Media
Renovation Tips
Products: A Touch of Luxury
Perspective: Employee Relations

Multi-Housing News - May 2009