The LEED Process: Design and Construction Credit Submissions

For a construction project to obtain LEED certification at any of the four levels (Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum) two important steps are required: Design Credit Submission and Construction Credit Submission.

These two submission steps occur at distinct moments in a project’s construction period:

• Design Credit Submission - After design is complete and construction started
  
• Construction Credit Submission - After construction is finished

At each of these stages, the project team submits the credits that pertain to each stage to LEED-Online; the USGBC web-based credit management tool.

The Solera project – now under construction for one year – recently completed its Design Credit Submission. The following credits were included in this submission:

Sustainable Sites Credits:
SS 1: Site Selection
SS 2: Development
SS 4.1: Alternative Transportation, Public Access
SS 4.2: Alternative Transportation, Bike Storage
SS 4.3: Alternative Transportation, Low Emitting Vehicles
SS 4.4: Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity
SS 7.1: Heat Island Effect, Non-Roof
SS 7.2: Heat Island Effect, Roof

Water Efficiency Credits:
WE 1.1: Water Efficient Landscaping, Reduce 50%
WE 1.2: Water Efficient Landscaping, No Potable
WE 3.1 & 3.2: Water Use Reduction, 20% & 30%

Energy and Atmosphere:
EA Pre-req 2: Minimum Energy Performance
EA Pre-req 3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management
EA 1: Optimize Energy Performance

Materials and Resources:
MR Pre-req 1: Storage & Collection of Recyclables

Indoor Environmental Quality:
Pre-req 1: Minimum IAQ Performance
EQ 6.1: Controllability of Systems: Lighting
EQ 6.2: Controllability of Systems: Thermal Control
EQ 7.1: Thermal Comfort: Design
EQ 8.1: Daylighting & Views: 75% of Spaces

In addition to the above standard Design Credits, the Solera team also submitted four Innovation in Design credits.

The GBCI, the Green Building Certification Institute, is currently reviewing Solera’s Design Credit Submission. The GBCI is the third-party entity that USGBC created to review all LEED applications. Ideally all credits that the Solera team submitted will be accepted. However, in the event that any credits are denied, the Solera team will have the ability to make additions and/or edits to the submission to ensure that the Solera project achieves all 28 Design Credits.

Solera anticipates completing the Construction Credit Submission in August or September 2010, after construction is complete and building operations are underway.

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LoDo and Ballpark Serving Up Some of Denver’s Best Restaurants

Our December blog focused on the many popular holiday events just minutes from Solera’s downtown apartments, but for Solera tenants, easy access to Denver hot spots is a year-round benefit.

The Mile High City boasts a flourishing restaurant scene, and Solera is lucky to be near many top eateries in Denver. We’ve compiled a list of stops you’ll want to hit up on a regular basis:

Snooze: 2262 Larimer St.

Winning Best Breakfast/Brunch in 5280 magazine for three consecutive years, Channel 7’s A-List in 2008 and 2009, and a Mayor’s Design Award in 2007, it’s no wonder that Snooze has created quite the buzz (and we don’t mean the sound of your alarm.) This A.M. eatery serves beautiful and flavorful breakfast fare, making each dish not only the most important meal of the day, but the most delicious as well. With hours from 6:30am-2:30pm Monday-Friday and 7:00am to 2:30pm Saturday and Sunday, you can either get your day going early or stroll in for a post sleep-in pancake. Either way, you’ll be welcomed by a fun, fresh atmosphere to kick your day off right.

Hi*Rise: 2162 Larimer St.

Another morning/early afternoon joint, Hi*Rise is a must-visit bakery, deli and café in the Ballpark neighborhood. The inclusive menu features everything from artisan breads, bagels and sandwiches to seasonal salads, sweet treats and locally roasted coffee. All of the breads, pastries, and sweets are made from scratch every day. And for those on a gluten-free regimen, Hi*Rise offers breads and sandwiches sans gluten to satisfy those needs. Open Monday through Saturday from 6:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday from 7:00am to 3:00pm, Hi*Rise is at your service for most of the day, and even delivers! We also hear they make a tasty cupcake, as proved by their two awards at Gabby Gourmet’s Cupcake testing and an award for Best Cupcake at the Taste of Colorado. Yum!

Marco's Coal Fired Pizza: 2129 Larimer St.

If you’re looking for service, style, and some of the best pizza you’ve ever had, Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza is the place to go. Winner of the Mayor’s Design Award for the category “Buildings that Beckon,” Marco’s creates a trattoria-style atmosphere that is both elegant and fun, with an attentive staff and exposed pizza kitchen so you can follow your order from the oven to the table. A 5280 favorite, Marco’s was awarded Top of the Town for the categories Top Pizza and Top Meatball Sandwich. They were also noted as one of 5280’s Best New Restaurants in 2008. Stop by Sunday through Thursday from 11:00am to 10:00pm or Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00pm.

twelve restaurant: 2233 Larimer St.

An instant favorite among many, twelve restaurant (and yes, the lowercase is intentional) earned the Readers Choice award in Westword’s 2009 “Best of” under the categories Best New Restaurant and Best New American Restaurant. Serving dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30pm to 10:00pm, twelve features globally influenced and seasonally inspired cuisine with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Make sure to stop by often to see what’s new, because, as the name implies, twelve restaurant changes its menu monthly meaning twelve new and exciting dining experiences each year.

When the evening rolls around, it’s time to hit the downtown bars for happy hour or late night events. If you’re looking for an active party scene, you might hit up Market Street between 19th and 20th. Home of Lodo’s Bar and Grill, Giggling Grizzly, The Tavern Downtown, Theorie and Cowboy Lounge, this strip is full of life on the weekends. Lodo’s is open 7 days a week from 11:00am to 2:00am and always has events going on throughout the month, whether it’s Super Bowl parties, Keggs and Eggs or Brunch and Build your own Bloody Mary bars.

If you’re looking for a more laid back scene or maybe some live music, head over to Larimer St. between 20th and 21st. Check out Scruffy Murphy’s, Herb’s Hideout and the Ginn Mill after catching a show at the Marquis Theatre. The Denver Cruisers, a local bike club, meets at the Gin Mill every Wednesday night at 7:00pm in warm seasons to ride to the local bars with other Cruiser lovers and enjoy a low-key atmosphere. Scruffy Murphy’s also hosts nightly events such as Punk Rock Mondays, Geeks who Drink, open mic sessions and live music.

Other great (and close!) places to visit include the Great Divide Brewery for monthly events, Pacific Mercantile for authentic Asian grocery shopping, and Twentieth Street Café for a great meal morning, noon and night.

There are countless options nearby when living downtown, regardless of the time of day or mood you’re in. Grab pancakes, coffee, and pastries in the morning. Swing by for an award-winning meatball sandwich at lunch. Make reservations for a globally influenced meal at dinner. And then hit the bars to celebrate a long and successful day.

Solera encourages urban dwellers to support the local restaurants and shops within blocks of their homes and to take advantage of the places that give Denver its fantastic reputation.

From the options we’ve pointed out, it’ll be a job both fulfilling and filling.

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Indoor Air Quality: Take a deep breath; it may not be as clean as you thought.

Did you know that it is estimated that people spend up to 90% of their time indoors? Did you also know that the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor pollutant levels may run two to five times higher than outdoor air?

These facts of course make the materials utilized in building construction and the mechanical systems that process indoor air essential to occupant health. Unfortunately, though, many buildings, new and old, do not pay enough attention to the quality of materials utilized or the cleanliness of building mechanical systems and their respective impacts on indoor air quality. Not surprisingly, it is estimated that 2% of all office workers suffer from some type of Sick Building Syndrome.

LEED-certified office buildings have been found to be a healthier work place, with decreased absenteeism and increased productivity. Though there aren’t nearly as many LEED-certified residential buildings as LEED office buildings, it’s likely that, in time, research will show that people are healthier and less often sick in LEED-certified homes, just as documented in LEED-certified office buildings.  

At Solera steps are being taken now, during construction, to protect the building’s indoor air quality. All air ducts being installed are covered and sealed to protect the mechanical system from construction debris and dust. When the mechanical system is used during construction, which will be kept to a minimum and will only occur in building corridors, high density filters will be used. These air filters will be replaced frequently and of course prior to move-in. Also steps are being taken during construction to reduce the production of air pollution by restricting idling vehicles, timing the installation of porous materials to protect them from air pollution and exhausting sources of indoor air pollution to
the exterior.

Did you know that that new car smell is actually bad for you? That’s because new car interiors are made of materials that are high in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are known for off-gassing irritants that are hazardous for occupant health. That’s why at Solera we’re selecting only healthy materials – that are low in VOC content - to ensure the indoor air of Solera is a high quality. Paints, sealants/adhesives, carpets and wood will all be made of little to no off-gassing VOC materials; a precaution that few other buildings take.

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Downtown Denver: A Home for the Holidays

With festive decorations lining the streets, generous sales at every shop, and can’t-miss parties happening all around the city, downtown dwellers needn’t travel far to reach the hub of holiday celebration during the winter season.

Denver holiday events begin as early as November and last well into the New Year. And with a downtown apartment, you can take advantage of all the festivities Denver has to offer right outside your doorstep. Here are some of the annual events to enjoy in the Mile High City:

Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination
On the last Friday of November, Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination lights up the city with an exquisite lighting display of some of the Mile Hi City’s most prominent buildings and landmarks. Visit the City & County Building, Union Station, Denver Pavilions, Skyline Park, the 16th Street Mall and the historic D&F Tower to see the holiday spirit come to life in the form of brightly colored (and magnificently orchestrated) lights. Attendees can expect an entertaining evening, with live musical performances, children’s activities, special guest appearances, and treats from local Denver restaurants. Festivities begin around 6:00pm with main events taking place at Union Station and the City & County Building for 9News Light the Lights.

LoDo Aglow
This year marked the beginning of the LoDo District, Inc.’s new window design contest called LoDo Aglow, in which local businesses, designers and students were encouraged to decorate window fronts with holiday and winter scenes. Volunteers helped create a winter wonderland for the contest, which kicked off the same night as the Grand Illumination. The 2009 winners were: Dixons Downtown Grill in the student category, Organixx in the business category and The Oxford Hotel in the professional category. The beautiful and creative designs will continue to light the streets of Lower Downtown until late January.

Christkindl Market
The Christkindl Market is another fabulous holiday treat showcasing handcrafted gift items by European vendors and traditional German food, candy, and of course beer. Located on the corner of 16th and Arapahoe Streets in Skyline Park, this market opens in late November and continues through the December 24th. Stop by between 11am and 7pm Sunday through Wednesday or 11am and 9pm Thursday through Saturday.

9NEWS Parade of Lights
The 9NEWS Parade of Lights is a seasonal favorite for many Denverites, drawing thousands of spectators every year. Beginning at the City & County building at 14th and Bannock Street, the parade continues (bands, balloons and floats in all) for two miles down the streets of Downtown Denver, spreading cheer to the onlookers. Happening over two nights, the Friday event begins at 8:00pm and the Saturday event starts at 6:00pm.

TubaChristmas
The TubaChristmas Concert is a unique holiday tradition. This year the event celebrated its 35th anniversary. Three hundred tuba players gather from all over the region to play a special concert at Skyline Park. It’s surely a sight to see, but it’s really the sound that warms your heart.

Denver Performing Arts
Winter is a great time to catch a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Years past have showcased fine acts such as the Colorado Ballet’s Nutcracker, Colorado Symphony, and the Colorado Children’s Chorale. This holiday catch Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carole, open from November 27th through December 26th.

New Years Denver
Downtown Denver Events, Inc. and VISIT Denver have joined forces for the 2009/2010 New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the 16th Street Mall. Two shows—one at 9pm and one at midnight—will ring in the New Year with style.

Just out of curiosity, the Solera team decided to calculate the distance between our location at 1956 Lawrence Street and all the incredible downtown activities during the holiday season. Here’s what we found:

Convention Center: 0.9 miles
16th Street Mall: 0.5 miles
Skyline Park: 0.5 miles
Lodo: 0.6 miles
Larimer Square: 0.6 miles
City & County Building: 1.2 miles
Union Station: 0.7 miles
DCPA: 0.7 miles

We figure that’s something ‘yule’ appreciate.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Solera!

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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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Location, Location, Location!

In an earlier posting we highlighted the benefits of living in a building that is walking distance to both work and entertainment locations. The LEED Scorecard recognizes the importance of a building’s location through a number of credits within the Sustainable Sites category of the New Construction scorecard. LEED awards points for location recognizing that the simple choice of where to construct a building can have a big impact on the building’s overall sustainability. One of the points available in this category is proximity to public transit.

At the Solera project six separate light rail lines are within a half mile walking distance. These lines open up the Denver metropolitan region to a Solera resident and help make car-free living a reality. With the build-out of Fastracks currently underway, those six light rail lines will reach even further destinations within the metro area. In addition to the light rail are five bus lines in close proximity to Solera making access within the city core easy for downtown residents.

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) awards LEED points for proximity to mass transit because increased use of public transportation means reduced dependence on vehicular transit. At Solera, and buildings like it in dense urban areas, residents have the ability to live car free while still being highly mobile. For this reason USGBC encourages building developers to make a building’s location an early consideration when going for LEED certification.

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Groundbreaking News

Zocalo Community Development is thrilled to announce the launch of our newest Urban Green Development, Solera. Targeted for Gold LEED Certification, this eleven-story condo development will be among only a handful of sustainable rental projects in the entire country. We are excited to see Denver progress as an earth-conscious city through more eco-friendly developments and are honored to be a part of the ever-growing sustainable movement.

We hope to use this blog as a tool to connect with the community and share the process and major milestones of creating a LEED-Certified development. Check back for bi-monthly updates to learn about all the considerations that go into building a sustainable project!

ABOUT SOLERA

Located at 1956 Lawrence Street, Solera will be only three blocks from Coors Field, four blocks from the Light Rail, and four blocks from the 16th Street Mall. To our delight, we recently discovered that Solera's Downtown Denver location was rated as "Walkers' Paradise" according to the popular site www.walkscore.com.

Some of the features to expect in this 120 unit development include quartz counters and islands made of recycled content, Energy Star appliances, dual flush toilets, locally produced cabinetry, and sustainable, low-VOC carpets and flooring. Solera will even have structured parking with preferred parking assignment for hybrid vehicles.

To learn more about Solera, check out the website at www.SoleraLiving.com

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