Preventing Pollution: The How and Why

In a previous post the Solera team discussed the huge impact of construction waste on landfills nationwide; such waste generates 40% of total landfill waste annually. This type of waste includes unused portions of brick, concrete, wood and steel. USGBC recognizes the importance of actively recycling instead of landfilling this waste by awarding up to three credits on the LEED scorecard for this topic. Another credit that also addresses issues of onsite waste but operating on a much smaller level is the prerequisite Construction Activity Pollution Prevention.

As a prerequisite, this credit is mandatory for all LEED projects rather than voluntary like the majority of credits – there are seven total prerequisites in the New Construction scorecard. The intent of this prerequisite credit is to reduce the pollution that construction projects create by controlling three areas of common pollution generators: soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust. In order to comply with this credit, projects must create a Pollution Prevention Plan that all construction staff follow.

At Solera the following steps are being taken to meet this LEED prerequisite:

• To prevent sedimentation from entering the storm sewer the project:

1. Is using an Eco-Pan system which cleans all “cementitious” i.e. concrete material, from vehicles before they exit the project site; the material is then recycled with other concrete
2. Erected a silt fence at the perimeter of the property to retain sediment on the project and prevent soil erosion
3. Uses straw wattles at storm sewers

• To reduce airborne dust a vehicle tracking control area with 15 tons of recycled concrete was installed at the point of access of all construction vehicles entering and exiting the site. This system minimizes the amount of dust and particulate matter that is generated and reduces the spread of construction debris into the street and storm sewer.

• Topsoil that was previously located on the project was cleaned and removed prior to the start of construction. In most cases this soil was reused on other projects in the Denver area.

The combination of these measures is helping to reduce the pollution the Solera project generates. In the City and County of Denver, code requires these measures for any projects over an acre. Due to Solera’s project size, less than an acre, Zocalo is performing these mitigating measures due to it LEED goals, illustrating how LEED projects go beyond code and help to protect the surrounding environment down to the level of a project’s treatment of dust and sediment.

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Now is the time to...Rent?

With the recent extension and expansion of the $8,000 Federal Tax Credit, homeownership has become a real consideration for many individuals and families. But depending on your lifestyle and needs, buying a home might not be the best solution. Before taking the leap toward a long-term investment, it’s worth looking at the age-old question “Is it better to buy or to rent?”

It’s commonly said that “paying rent is like throwing money out the window,” but unless you have the time, patience, funds and expertise to profit from your home down the line, the same could be said for paying a monthly mortgage. For many reasons, renting might prove to be the better move for your situation.

Whether you are always on the go, expecting change in the near future, or still discovering what works best for you, renting offers flexibility, affordability and convenience that will cater to your active lifestyle.

In this day and age most individuals change homes, states, and even countries multiple times in their life, making a flexible living situation a perk as a renter. Or perhaps you haven’t decided what area of town you want to live in, or the type or size of home that works for you. Maybe you are a young professional willing to follow your career path wherever it leads, or you work in a job with high relocation potential. In all these scenarios renting gives you the freedom to easily change your living situation rather than having to wait until the ideal market comes along to make a sale.

When you rent, you not only have more flexibility about the timing of a move, but also in where you move. You can typically rent an apartment or home for much less than it would cost you to buy it, allowing you to find affordable housing closer to your ideal location. Many downtown condos that might otherwise be too expensive to own are much more reasonable as rentals.

In terms of money, buying a home versus renting is really a question of how you want to allocate your spending and how much risk you’re willing to endure for your investment. Many renters appreciate having more disposable income and the freedom it provides. Also renters don’t have to worry about upfront costs such as down payments, closing costs, and inspection fees. A home can be a great investment, but it certainly isn’t the only way to invest your money. If you’re looking to save money and aren’t ready to jump into the housing market, having a fixed cost and no additional risk might be the way to go.

Financial complexities aside, renters also avoid the hassle and headache of home maintenance. From the minor household tasks here and there, living in a rental, particularly an apartment or condo is void of those pesky home repairs and required renovations. Less upkeep for your house means more time to devote to what you want to do.

Choosing to rent rather than buy doesn’t have to be out of necessity. For many, renting is the ideal solution because of the flexibility, affordability, and convenience it provides. So before you take advantage of that tax credit just for the sake of it, consider how your lifestyle dictates your housing needs and financial capabilities and then decide from there.

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Construction Update: November 13, 2009

The ninth floor is now complete at Solera. Views from the ninth and eighth floors take in the Rocky Mountains and tower over Coors Field and much of LoDo. Framing of interior walls of the units is underway on floors four through six while exterior framing is underway on floors three and four. Windows on the third floor will be installed starting this week, giving the building a more finished appearance. Lastly, to the happiness of all construction staff, the hoist is in place and working which means materials and construction staff no longer have to manually climb the stairs!

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