By Amy Mahone, Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC

March 31, 2008

CREW Chicago’s March Program explored the popular and timely topic of existing buildings going green. Helen J. Kessler, FAIA, LEED AP, HJ Kessler Associates, an expert in “green” and a CREW Chicago member, moderated a panel including Cathy Stephenson, Senior Vice President, National Director of Operations, Grubb & Ellis and a CREW Chicago member, Jim Stecich, First Vice President & Manager of Facilities Administration, Bank of America (formerly LaSalle Bank) and Myron Maurer, Senior Vice President, Merchandise Mart Properties.

Helen began the program by explaining why we are talking about this topic: buildings consume more than 30% of the total energy, more than 60% of the total electricity used in the U.S., and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming. She also reminded us what LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) entails, including energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and site development among other things.

Cathy led the panel discussion by sharing with the audience the five steps a company should take to establish a green program:

1. Join the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) which has great resources and tools for its members (http://www.usgbc.org/).
2. Establish a philosophy as a company to ensure a commitment to sustainability.
3. Incorporate clients into the company’s plans by understanding the needs and business drivers of the clients.
4. Communicate the vision of sustainability throughout the company so that everyone can articulate the vision in their contact with clients, prospects and vendors.
5. Establish a green team to develop and drive the program.

Cathy then gave her top ten list of ways to “green” an existing building:

1. Establish a base line for the property; you must know where you are today to get to where you want to be in the future.
2. Reduce energy consumption by participating in the EPA’s Energy Star Program. Regardless of whether a building can be labeled “Energy Star,” the program is an effective tool for tracking performance.
3. Participate in BOMA’s BEEP Training (BOMA Energy and Efficiency Program).
4. Incorporate green specs into service contracts.
5. Incorporate green standards into the standard lease form.
6. Incorporate green standards into the building’s operating practices and tenant design criteria.
7. Educate employees about the benefits of green.
8. Bring tenants into the loop.
9. Update and inform clients of your program and your progress.
10. Track and measure your progress, and communicate it to your constituents.

Jim discussed the commitment to sustainability that Bank of America and the former LaSalle Bank share, which has given the company the desire to position itself as a leader in green building in Chicago because “it is the right thing to do.” The 540 W. Madison building has been awarded LEED Gold certification and incorporates such attributes as locating the cubicles and offices in the core of the building to ensure maximum light, high air quality and battery and other recycling for employees. Additionally, the company’s building at 135 S. LaSalle, while not LEED certified, participates in the Energy Star program.

Myron concluded the panel discussion by explaining to the audience the process that the Merchandise Mart went through to obtain LEED Silver certification. The Mart has installed motion sensors in restrooms and lower wattage fixtures wherever possible, made an I-Go hybrid car available to tenants and employees 24 hours a day, retrofitted exit lights to require less energy and implemented an exterior and dock lighting schedule. An important part of the Mart’s initiative was educating employees and tenants in the newly established green building programs, and Maurer stressed the importance of surveying the tenants’ current green building practices early on in the process – “while this requires a great deal of effort and is time consuming, it yields great efficiency in the LEED process.”

The program proved to be a great primer for all of us as the greening of existing buildings becomes not only desirable but necessary in the marketplace.