Front Street revamp aims for 'green' label
Idaho Business Review
10/18/2004
A large red brick structure under renovation on Front Street west of Fifth downtown is said to be Boise's first officially "green" office building.
For conversion of the former warehouse into Front 5 Office, Boise-based developer Oaas Laney, project designer Cole + Poe Architects and builder Petra Inc. are seeking U.S. Green Building Council certification under the council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
The Boise group is using materials salvaged from an adjacent warehouse that it razed on Broad Street recently, and adding windows, skylights and other features for natural light. The project may have a small photo-voltaic solar power cell on the roof.
"What it does, and why we think this is important, is that it dramatically changes the quality of life for the tenants of the office space," Oaas Laney co-owner Steve Laney said of using LEED standards.
"Our feeling is that if the tenants are happier, they will be more successful, and will be longer-term tenants with us," he said.
Information from the U.S. Green Building Council about LEED certification and documentation says the process represents the council's efforts "to develop a standard that improves environmental and economic performance of commercial buildings using established and/or advanced industry principles, practices, materials and standards."
For Oaas Laney, renovating the Boise building to LEED standards "has cost us more money … but we think the value will be in improving relationships with tenants," Laney said. The additional cost won't impact rents, and spaces in the building will rent at or below market prices, he added.
Architect Bruce Poe, who is organizing a U.S. Green Building Council chapter in Boise, said he expects the Front 5 Office group to submit a LEED-certification application with the Council in December. The group informed the Council of its plan to seek certification and has been documenting its use of LEED standards.
"There is a constant dialogue between USGBC and the accredited professional on the project," he said. "This building is pretty simple as far as construction, so that makes the application a little easier," Poe said. Certification "hinges on recycling of materials you demolish, and the types of new materials you put into the building."
At Front 5, recycled materials include brick, wood, concrete, some steel and wiring, and some light fixtures. New or replacement materials include carpet - containing recycled material in its fiber and adhesive that is non-toxic and non-volatile - and new construction materials transported no more than 500 miles, "so you aren't paying additional money for transportation, wasting energy, etc. You want to use regional materials," Poe said.
About a month after a development team applies for certification, USGBC approves a project, rejects it or requests more information, he said.
Beyond the initial certification level - which Poe expects the Front 5 project to achieve - the Council may certify a building to higher silver, gold or platinum levels depending on project elements and complexity.
Front 5 is a 12,600-square-foot building that will have 16,000 square feet when mezzanine space is added (IBR, 5-31-04). Occupants will include Oaas Laney, Cole + Poe, and Windermere Capital Group Residential Real Estate. Laney said developers are in lease negotiations with a government agency, a construction company and a data-services business.
Architect Stan Cole, partner in Cole + Poe, said other Boise buildings that may become LEED-certified include a Tumble Time Gymnastics facility near Fairview and Cloverdale, the Ada County Courthouse, and an Environmental Education center planned at the West Boise Wastewater Treatment plant off Chinden Boulevard.
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