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This
month's focus
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A Year of Heightened Sustainability Efforts at IDI
IDI's sustainable development initiatives include successful environmental mitigation efforts, the protection of habitat during construction and the implementation of new technologies that reduce energy consumption. |
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The real estate industry has embraced sustainability. Companies are adopting responsible measures that reduce the impact of development on the environment. Some people are cynical about the level of hype surrounding the topic, but sustainability is much more than a buzzword at IDI. In fact, sustainability has been part of IDI’s business philosophy from the outset.
CEO and President Tim Gunter stressed the importance of sustainability in an interview with The Atlanta Business Chronicle in December 2007. “If we don’t make [environmentally conscious] changes, we won’t be competitive in the future,” he said.
His statement drives home why responsible development is so important to IDI. Sustainable development benefits the communities in which we do business. At the same time, it will make our properties more valuable as users increasingly seek out environmentally friendly, energy-efficient buildings.
Environmental sustainability has been a priority at IDI since its inception, and it will always be an ongoing and evolving effort. As applied to the development of our business parks, it consists of successful environmental mitigation efforts, the protection of habitat during construction, the implementation of new technologies that reduce energy consumption, and a host of other initiatives.
For instance, at Hamilton Mill Business Center outside of Atlanta IDI worked with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Georgia State Environmental Protection Division, Riverkeepers, Trout Unlimited and other agencies to enhance a neighboring stream. An existing dam was modified to release water at a regulated pace during storm periods and maintain water within the stream’s banks during non-storm periods to keep existing flora intact.
In Los Angeles, IDI participated in the Southern California Edison energy program. Seven tenants enrolled in the program and achieved energy savings totaling approximately $400,000 per year. To promote participation, IDI arranged for the tenants to receive up-front financing for design upgrades such as T-5 high-bay fluorescent lighting needed to realize the energy and cost savings.
Under Tim Gunter’s leadership, environmental sustainability will be an area of heightened focus. Gunter’s recent appointment to the board of the Georgia Conservancy is just one indication of his overall dedication to environmental responsibility.
One of his long-term goals at IDI is to make IDI a leader in sustainable development. As the head of IDI’s Sustainability Task Force, Gunter is in the process of implementing a number of strategic programs. In 2006, IDI became a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). One of the company’s key environmental initiatives is its participation in the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, which recognizes buildings that incorporate high-performance, environmentally responsible features.
IDI has developed its first LEED building in Chicago – 102,936-square-foot Bolingbrook Corporate Center Building 4. The facility includes a variety of design elements that will conserve energy and reduce operational costs for tenants. IDI expects to receive LEED certification on the building in early 2008.
Tim Gunter has called upon Regional Development Officers across IDI’s eight regions to pursue the development of at least one LEED project over the next two years. Projects that are currently being developed to receive LEED certification include Tradeport East Business Center Building A in Savannah and Crossroads Distribution Center Building F in the Memphis market. To enable IDI to implement LEED standards, at least one employee in each region will receive LEED accreditation. To date, three employees have received LEED Accredited Professional designations.
The extent of IDI’s participation in the LEED program will largely depend on how much demand the company sees from its customers. But tenants will benefit regardless of whether IDI seeks LEED certification at its new projects. That’s because the experience that IDI gains through its participation in the USGBC program will enable the company to implement innovative and energy-efficient features across its portfolio.
Sustainable development at IDI is much bigger than just our involvement in the LEED program. Regional Development Officers are investigating ways to incorporate sustainable design elements at their new developments.
In Memphis, the water management system at Crossroads Distribution Center will capture 50 million to 80 million gallons of storm water per year for lawn and plant irrigation. The Chicago Region also plans to implement a system to re-use rainwater for irrigation. The Cincinnati Region is designing detention ponds that filter water before it is released into neighboring streams. Across several of our regions, TPO roofing and R20 roof insulation are being installed to reduce the urban “heat island” effect. In addition, more buildings are incorporating roof-mounted skylights to reduce the need for artificial light.
Further demonstrating IDI’s commitment to responsible development, the company has hired an environmental consultant, ERS Global Inc., to help it develop a strategic approach to sustainable development. In the upcoming year, the consultant will work with IDI to determine the company’s carbon footprint – a measurement of IDI’s greenhouse emissions. Once IDI’s carbon footprint is defined, the consultant will assist IDI in implementing short- and long-term programs to mitigate our impact on the environment.
Our comprehensive sustainability initiatives are part of IDI’s vision for the future. Under our new leadership, we plan to build upon IDI’s rich legacy and maintain our financial success well into the future.
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