Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED EB) is an environmental benchmark developed by the US Green Building Council to "maximize operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts."

The Phoenix Plaza was awarded the LEED-EB Silver designation for Operations and Maintenance in September 2009.  Our commitment to sustainability can be seen in the following important programs:

Sustainable Sites

§        Building Exterior & Hardscape Management - The Phoenix Plaza has developed an environmentally-sensitive building exterior and hardscape policy that incorporates sustainable best practices for maintenance equipment, cleaning of the building exterior, and cleaning of the plaza.

§        Native Vegetation – The Phoenix Plaza incorporates 80% native and adaptive trees and shrubs. Native vegetation supports a habitat for native wildlife and lowers the need for fertilizer and watering.

§        Integrated Pest Management, Erosion Control, and Landscape Management – The Phoenix Plaza has developed an environmentally-sensitive management plan for the site's natural components that incorporates best practices for the reduction of harmful chemicals, energy waste, water waste, air pollution, solid waste and chemical runoff as compared to standard practices.

§        Heat Island Reduction: Roof - The roofs on both towers features a highly reflective coating with a high solar reflectance index (SRI) that helps reduce the building's heat island effect.

Water Efficiency

§        Indoor Plumbing Fixture Efficiency – A partial plumbing upgrade was completed in 2009. Low flush flushometers were retrofitted to all of the urinals, .5 GPM aerators were installed on all faucets, and we upgraded 50% of the toilets from 3 to 1.6 gallon toilets.  These upgrades save 2,373,310 gallons of water per year.

§        Drip Irrigation System - The Phoenix Plaza features a high efficiency drip irrigation system that lowers watering requirements for the property's exterior landscaping.

§        Cooling Tower Water Management – The Phoenix Plaza maintains a comprehensive cooling tower management plan in an effort to lower water use through chemical treatment, bleed-off, and biological controls.

Energy & Atmosphere

§        EPA ENERGY STAR Program & Benchmarking – The Phoenix Plaza is a proud recipient of the Energy Star Designation. Buildings with ENERGY STAR designations typically use 35% less energy than average buildings. Only 25% of US buildings are eligible to apply for the award. The Phoenix Plaza has actively participated in the EPA's ENERGY STAR benchmarking program since 2004.

§        ASHRAE Energy Audit - In 2009 The Phoenix Plaza conducted an energy audit in accordance with ASHRAE standards. The audit is designed to identify any energy waste that is associated with base building systems.

§        Saturday HVAC "On Demand" – The Phoenix Plaza uses a demand controlled Saturday HVAC service to avoid using unnecessary electricity in unoccupied tenant spaces. Saturday heating, ventilation and air-conditioning requests may be programmed on-line or by phone by each tenant.

§        Building Automation System – Since 2004 The Phoenix Plaza has used a comprehensive Building Automation System to monitor and control key building systems such as heating, cooling and ventilation.

Materials & Resources

§        Sustainable Purchasing Policy – The Phoenix Plaza maintains a comprehensive sustainable purchasing policy for all base building consumables, furniture, electronics and light bulbs.

§        EPA Procurement Guidelines for Janitorial Paper – The Phoenix Plaza utilizes paper towels and toilet paper that meets EPA Procurement Guidelines in regards to their recycled content.

§        Reduced Mercury in Lamps – The Phoenix Plaza has selected a building standard light bulb that uses only 25 Watts of electricity per bulb and contains only a fraction of the mercury that is found in similar bulbs.

§        Tenant Source Reduction and Recycling Program – The Phoenix Plaza recognizes the importance of a comprehensive tenant recycling program:

v     Tenants are active participants in the on-site recycling program.  Tenants are strongly encouraged to recycle all white paper, colored paper, envelopes, coated paper, file folders, newspapers, magazines, cans, plastic bottles, cardboard paper products, batteries, lamps, ballasts, computer equipment and construction debris.

§        Waste Stream Audit – In 2009, The Phoenix Plaza conducted a comprehensive waste stream audit to identify opportunities for increased recycling and waste diversion.

Indoor Environmental Quality

§        Outdoor Air Introduction & Exhaust Systems – The Phoenix Plaza makes use of a comprehensive building automation system to ensure that the building's fresh air supply exceeds the outside air ventilation rate required by ASHRAE 62.1-2007 under all normal operating conditions.

§        Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control – In compliance with state law, The Phoenix Plaza is a smoke-free facility. The building also maintains a smoke-free zone within twenty-five feet of building entrances for the safety and comfort of tenants and visitors.  There are two designated smoking areas on the property.

§        Green Cleaning – Since 2006, Pro Serv Commercial Cleaning has provided LEED-compliant Green Cleaning services to The Phoenix Plaza. "Green Cleaning" incorporates certified cleaning products, equipment, processes, training, services and support to ensure healthy buildings without harming the environment.

§        Air Filtration Media – The Phoenix Plaza incorporates air filters that meet or exceed the LEED standard MERV rating for air filtration and helps ensure a reduction of air particulates.

§        Entryway Systems – The Phoenix Plaza installed entryway mats at all building entrances to reduce the amount of dirt, dust, pollen and other particles entering the building.

§        Integrated Pest Management – The Phoenix Plaza maintains a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management program that has been developed under guidance from the US Green Building Council. By definition, an IPM program controls and prevents pest activity by utilizing sanitation, inspection, structural repair, safe storage practices, mechanical control techniques, non-chemical pesticides and – as a last resort – “least toxic” chemical pesticides applied to a specific targeted area with advanced occupant notification.

§        Occupant-Controlled Lighting – A 2009 audit revealed that 50% of building occupants have access to their own light switch.

§        Daylight and Views – A 2009 audit revealed that 52% of building occupants are assigned to work areas that are located within 10 feet of a window and have views.

For specific details on the LEED submission process and guidelines, see the links below:

LEED for Existing Buildings:  Operations & Maintenance Rating System: LEED-EB Rating System

LEED for Existing Buildings:  Operations & Maintenance Check list: LEED-EB Checklist