Sustainable Design Blog

Local Leaders in Sustainability: Green Incentive Trends is a joint effort with the National Association of Counties (NACo) to help local government officials incentivize green construction in their communities. State and local government green building incentives range from options that are virtually cost-free to those that involve more investment. The most attractive incentives are tax incentives, density/floor area ratio bonuses, and expedited permitting. The findings show that communities should select incentives based on their financial situation and desired impact on the construction industry. The simpler the policy, the more likely it is to be implemented successfully.

This Local Leaders report focuses on five key areas of green incentives: financial costs, oversight structure, local political and cultural environment, limits to power, and industry engagement. Green Incentive Trends analyzes initiatives instituted by localities across the country in recent years to provide in-depth best practice examples and a focused analysis on strategies that work well for different communities. The report also highlights innovative green architecture and interviews with the architects and local officials that are making it possible. Green building market transformation is accelerating, and these incentives are useful tools to help communities shift toward a sustainable future.
 

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by Harold Bubil
HeraldTribune, Real Estate Editor

Sarasota's newest architectural landmark brings the city's modernist tradition to an unlikely place: a resort and campground.

Recently celebrating 50 years in business, Sun-n-Fun on Fruitville Road, just east of Interstate 75, is known for its collection of mobile homes, recreational vehicles and modest buildings that serve the needs of its clients. Now it has a monumental piece of design — the newly opened, $5.5 million Indoor Pool and Wellness Center, an 18,000-square-foot structure that houses a 25-meter therapy pool, exercise rooms and locker rooms on the west side of the 147-acre campus.

"We wanted the 'wow!' factor," said Tim Deputy, Sun-n-Fun's general manager.

They — Sun-n-Fun management and the facility's owner, Royalty Resorts of England — got it with a gleaming white structure that has walls of glass and a curving roof arching from south to north, and faces the large, 50-year-old outdoor pool.

"It just brings a smile to your face because you know you are in a resort," said Tim Deputy, Sun-n-Fun's general manager. "You are not in a campground, you are in a resort, and I think it makes a quality statement.

"We like to think of ourselves as a leader" in the resort and campground industry, Deputy said. "We knew that by making that statement, it would take us that far ahead ... to what our new guests will appreciate."

It seems to be working...read more

As we approach the closing of 2011 we wanted to share with you some of the highlights from this past year. We are delighted to report that By the River is now completely full, and we are providing affordable housing and life-enhancing programs for 41 seniors.

Our residents are building community within By the River in a multitude of ways. One building has proudly displayed the residents' photos with the banner "We are Family". Residents are encouraged to participate in community development within each building and throughout the campus. Each building selects a representative to meet with management monthly to provide input into the decision making process. Frequent community barbecues have become the norm.

We continue to expand our programs including a recent holiday craft fair where residents sold beautifully woven and crocheted items among other wares, which were all hand made by residents. Weekly classes focus on nurturing the body, mind and spirit through art, music, health lectures, yoga, breathing, and exercise. One of our residents has even taken on the role of instructor for an exercise class and fills in for the instructor of our "Living with Stress" class!

Volunteerism is encouraged with our residents. Three days per week residents help prepare food for the "Feed Everyone" program, which distributes healthy meals to needy families in Gifford. Once a month, they assist with preparing packages that contain vital medications for the sick and impoverished people of Haiti.

As our programs evolve to suit the growing needs of low-income seniors, we are also challenged with providing financial assistance to help fill in the gap as many seniors are faced with choosing between buying medication or food when they reach the end of each month. All donations make a difference and are so gratefully received. It takes only $14 a day for a senior to be housed for a full year, fed one hot meal per day, and be given the opportunity to have community and to participate in wellness-fostering programs. Your generosity can make a big difference in our ability to care for our frail, low-income seniors in an environment where they feel well and maintain their sense of independence and dignity.

Please take a few moments to read the attached card and consider how you might help the low-income seniors in our community. Thank you so very much for your time, interest and support. The staff and residents of By the River wish you and your loved ones a beautiful holiday season.
 

With Gratitude,
Durga Das Hutner
President

BY THE RIVER WEBSITE

PROJECT PAGE

Peter S. Horstman (PSH), a leader in Hospice design in Florida, and Carlson Studio Architecture, one of the state’s leading green design firms, have joined together to deliver state of the art hospice design throughout Florida.  The combination or Mr. Horstman’s 10 years of experience in the design of over a dozen hospice projects and Carlson Studio’s 15 year history of award winning and sustainable design throughout Florida,  create a winning group of professionals with expertise, creativity, and rock solid project delivery.

PSH/Carlson Studio Architecture has the experience to provide a complete range of design services for your hospice related projects:

• We have a strong background in healthcare related projects with an emphasis on Inpatient Hospice facilities.
• Our experience extends into Assisted Living, Independent Living and Skilled nursing facilities.
• We are experts in the preparation of architectural data for CON applications, and are able to follow the CON from pre-design through design and construction.  We work closely with your legal team and AHCA.
• We have a proven record of designing award winning, sustainable, energy efficient buildings.

PSH/Carlson Studio Architecture is dedicated to designing facilities that are healthy environments for the user, and are healthy for the environment itself.  As LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) Accredited Professionals and members of the USGBC (US Green Building Council), we have the expertise to advise your organization in selecting construction materials and methods to meet this goal.

We believe that a successful construction project is based on communication of the owner’s and occupants’ needs combined with the technical knowledge of the professional consultants.  We are certain that you will find our team has both the reputation of being good listeners and interpreters of your needs into a building that is functional, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.

Sarasota’s Carlson Studio Architecture, a regional leader in sustainable design, won 3 awards at the USGBC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter LEEDership Awards ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 19 in St. Petersburg. CSA received awards in the following categories:

Outstanding Project of the Year LEED-CI (Commercial Interiors) for the design and construction of the firm’s own offices, located in downtown Sarasota.   The offices of Carlson Studio Architecture received LEED- CI Silver Certification from the USGBC in 2007, making it only the third LEED-CI Certified project in Florida at the time of certification.  Sarasota’s RC Moore Construction was the General Contractor.

Outstanding Project of the Year LEED for Schools (K-12) for the Learning Gate Community School, located in Lutz, FL.  This project received LEED Platinum certification from the USGBC, and was also recognized as the first LEED Platinum Public Charter School in the Country.  Local consultant Two Trails was the LEED administrator for the project, and Charles Girard was the General Contractor.

Outstanding Project of the Year LEED-NC (New Construction) for the design of the Cancer Support Community’s new facility located in Lakewood Ranch, FL.  This project received LEED Gold Certification from the USGBC.  Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. was the General Contractor.

The LEEDership Awards program, hosted by the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the USGBC, was started in 2010 as a way to support the chapter’s mission of encouraging environmental knowledge and values as they relate to the built environment. For more information, visit www.usgbc-fgc.org.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. (http://www.usgbc.org)

This week reporter Scott Denis from ABC 7 featured the LEED Certified Lakewood Ranch Plastic Surgery Office on his "Green Living" segment.

"A Suncoast doctor wanted his office to be not just a place that promotes health, but a healthy environment as well.  Plastic Surgeon Dr. Joshua Kreithen has accomplished both with one of the first LEED-certified doctor's offices in the state.

You feel relaxed from the moment you walk in. The soothing sounds, attractive building materials and the extensive use of natural lighting..." Click here for the full article