The trend toward building environmentally friendly structures in downtown Ann Arbor continues.  Many developers are pursuing the use of materials and building techniques that comply with standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).  Alex de Parry’s City Place Apartments on South Fifth Avenue include an underground geothermal energy system and high-efficiency water fixtures.  This project is just one of three large residential projects to use green building standards recently.

To earn a LEEDS certification, buildings must earn a certain number of points by adding building elements to standards.  There are many combinations that can earn those points, for instance - a building could:

• Have vegetated surfaces such as a "green roof" to reduce stormwater runoff and heat reflection
• Use high-efficiency water fixtures and low-energy appliances
• Offer incentives for employees to carpool or bike to work
• Offer bike racks
• Use more insulation yet offer additional windows for light and ventilation

Green building in Ann Arbor is expensive upfront however and local developers would like to see more municipal incentives.  Do the buildings make economic sense?  Developers say there is more demand and rents are higher in green buildings.  The upfront investment in greater efficiencies also will pay off at some point in the long run.

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