A volunteer led process by a number of public and private interests is leading to the formation of a “2030 District” covering the central business district of downtown Seattle. Brian Geller of ZGF Architects has been joined by key stakeholders in the commercial real estate and energy efficiency business community – and with support of a number of city offices – to envision a business district that meets the challenge of Architecture 2030. Multiple planning an organizing meetings have yielded a vision statement and a draft commitment letter for participants. The following is from the group’s Mission Statement;
“The Seattle 2030 District Planning Committee (the Committee) is an interdisciplinary public-private collaborative working to create a groundbreaking high-performance building district in downtown Seattle. With the Architecture 2030 Challenge for Planners as the foundation for the Committee, we seek to develop realistic, measurable, and innovative strategies to assist district property owners, managers, and tenants in meeting aggressive goals that reduce environmental impacts of facility construction and operations. These collective efforts will establish the District as an example of a financially viable sustainability focused private sector driven effort that maximizes profitability and prosperity for all involved. Through collaboration among diverse stakeholders, leverage of existing and development of new incentives and financing mechanisms, and development and communication of shared resources, the 2030 District seeks to prove the business case for sustainability. Property owners will not be required to achieve the goals of the District by legislative mandates, or as individuals. Rather, this type of goal achievement requires sharing of resources and ongoing collaboration to make high-performance buildings the most profitable building type in Seattle.
District Goals:
Existing Buildings and Infrastructure Operations:
- Energy use: A minimum 10% reduction below the National average by 2015 with incremental targets, reaching a 50% reduction by 2030.
- Water Use: A minimum 10% reduction below the National average by 2015, with incremental targets, reaching a 50% reduction by 2030.
- CO2e of auto and freight: A minimum 10% reduction below the current District average by 2015 with incremental targets, reaching a 50% reduction by 2030.
New Buildings, Major Renovations, and New Infrastructure:
- Energy use: an immediate 60% reduction below the National average, with incremental targets, reaching carbon neutral by 2030.
- Water Use: An immediate 50% reduction below the current National Average.
- CO2e of auto and freight: An immediate 50% reduction below the current District Average.”
A kick off meeting is planned for this effort in February 2011.