INDICATOR

 STATUS

The city is working to increase the number of  U.S. Green Building Council's "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) certified buildings in Santa Monica. The goal is to certify all new buildings eligible for LEED certification which are 10,000 sq. feet or larger, by 2010. Of these, 20% should attain LEED Silver, 10% Gold, and 2% Platinum certification, with the remainder categorized simply as “Certified”.  Further, 50% of new buildings smaller than 10,000 sq. feet shall obtain at least LEED certification or its equivalent by 2010. This target includes all municipal construction.   Refer to Santa Monica Green Building Program  for more information.

The target is 100% of buildings greater than 10,000 square feet attaining LEED certification. Of the fifteen buildings greater than 10,000 square feet of new construction completed this year, one was a LEED project, the Santa Monica Civic Center Parking Structure.  This project is a mixed-use project, featuring  882 parking spaces and 9,000 square feet of commercial retail space.

With the completion of the Parking Structure, the cumulative percentage of buildings greater than 10,000 square feet constructed since 2003 which have been LEED certified is 8.4%, far short of the target 100%.

This year’s newest LEED Certified building, the Santa Monica Civic Center Parking Structure features:

● 181 kWH photovoltaic panels installed on the roof to provide electricity for the facility, converted onsite.

● The panels also provide some shade for cars parked on the top level.

● Natural light and efficient fluorescent lighting that reflects off white ceilings to provide effective lighting  with lower total lamp wattage.

● Storm water Management Runoff water is treated using an on-site filtration device to reduce total suspended solids and phosphorus before it enters municipal waste water collection system.

● Reclaimed water lines for landscaping and tenant space toilets reduce the demand for potable water.

●  Bicycle storage lockers area are provided for free to the public to encourage alternate transportation modes.          

The number of LEED registered buildings in the City of Santa Monica is growing, and has expanded into the private sector. Though there were no LEED NC projects certified this year, the city did see progress in LEED projects outside the scope of this indicator.  For example, this year one home > 10,000 square feet was certified LEED.  There are currently 7 homes and 13 condominiums in the LEED Homes Project.  There was also one certified LEED “CI” or Commercial Interiors project last year, and two are registered.  The Ambrose Hotel is registered as a LEED “EB” or Existing Building project.

The table below summarizes the buildings greater than 10,000 square feet which are either certified or registered to be certified.   

 The Ambrose Hotel is registered as a LEED “EB” or Existing Building project.

The table below