A new law in Miami Beach, Fla., requires buildings larger than 7,000 sf to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications or pay a fee that is equal to 5% percent of the construction costs.
New structures larger than 7,000 sf must be LEED Gold certified. LEED Silver certification is required for new buildings larger than 50,000 sf.
LEED Silver is now required on all new Miami-Dade County-owned buildings. The fee was set at 5% based on estimates of how much it typically costs builders to achieve a LEED certification. LEED Gold or Platinum buildings are not required to pay a fee. The fee for LEED Silver structures is about 3%.
The city’s environment and sustainability director told the Miami Herald that the city wants to build a fund for sustainability projects such as building permeable pavements and improving the beach’s tree canopy.
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Just how green is that college campus?
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U.S. Army steps up requirements for greening building
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| Nov 9, 2010
Turner Construction report: Green buildings still on the agenda
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| Nov 3, 2010
First of three green labs opens at Iowa State University
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Public works complex gets eco-friendly addition
The renovation and expansion of the public works operations facility in Wilmette, Ill., including a 5,000-sf addition that houses administrative and engineering offices, locker rooms, and a lunch room/meeting room, is seeking LEED Gold certification.
| Nov 3, 2010
Sailing center sets course for energy efficiency, sustainability
The Milwaukee (Wis.) Community Sailing Center’s new facility on Lake Michigan counts a geothermal heating and cooling system among its sustainable features. The facility was designed for the nonprofit instructional sailing organization with energy efficiency and low operating costs in mind.
| Nov 3, 2010
Seattle University’s expanded library trying for LEED Gold
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| Nov 3, 2010
Recreation center targets student health, earns LEED Platinum
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| Nov 3, 2010
Virginia biofuel research center moving along
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| Nov 3, 2010
Dining center cooks up LEED Platinum rating
Students at Bowling Green State University in Ohio will be eating in a new LEED Platinum multiuse dining center next fall. The 30,000-sf McDonald Dining Center will have a 700-seat main dining room, a quick-service restaurant, retail space, and multiple areas for students to gather inside and out, including a fire pit and several patios—one of them on the rooftop.