Seeing Green

Local BOMA creates first green building committee

By Kerry Duff

With market demand shifting to green buildings, BOMA Greater Phoenix has formed its first official green building committee to help improve efficiency of commercial buildings and sustain the environment for future generations.

Commercial buildings account for almost 18 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Our new committee will ‘wade through the sea of green’ to provide local BOMA members with the best industry green resources and solutions,” says Patty Hartley, a 20-year veteran of commercial property management and president of Mode Real Estate Management Services in Scottsdale. “BOMA recognizes the impact of building operations on the environment and is committed to facilitating reduction of that impact while assisting building owners to benefit from lower costs and efficiencies.”

Hartley is co-chairing the BOMA Green Building Committee with David Munn, chief technical officer for Chelsea Group LTD, a firm that specializes in sustainable building consulting for existing buildings. Munn has more than 30 years experience in the industry and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council’s local chapter and technical committee. He also serves as executive vice president of the local chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers.

“I’m excited about this committee and I feel we can make some inroads for the BOMA membership and Chelsea Group,” Munn says. “A lot of corporations, property management firms, investment firms and property owners are making commitments to go green and obtain LEED certification, so we have an opportunity to provide resources and respond to questions that all property managers and building owners are now facing.”

The co-chairs met for the first time in January to formulate a plan for the committee. They also created a mission statement: “The BOMA Green Building Committee will provide efficient use of key resources related to the sustainable building operations and maintenance practices of existing buildings for all BOMA members.”

The green building committee will meet during lunch on the third Thursday of each month at the BOMA office in Phoenix. Right now, there are eight associate members with 10 more targeted to join. Each member represents a different industry segment (janitorial, landscaping, window washing, pest control, waste management) and is responsible for identifying the type of environmental stewardship available and whether green products and/or services are economically feasible for building owners.

Green investigation results will be summarized on the BOMA Web site. Results will include local environmentally friendly techniques, procedures, strategies, green products, energy management initiatives and innovative building management approaches for reducing energy consumption and improving indoor air quality. The adoption of resource conservation measures for existing buildings will improve building life cycle performance and will help to ensure that buildings meet their potential.

“Committee members will be able to offer their expertise and insight on obtaining specific credits for LEED EB (existing building) and NC (new construction),” Munn says. “Our goal is to have a committee that embraces all the different facets of green building operations and maintenance and can work as a resource to BOMA members and help them achieve credits for certification. We also hope to work with the education committee and provide presentations at the general membership meetings that offer similar insights.”

Amy Austin, director of property management for Momentum Commercial Real Estate, is a staunch green building supporter and member of the green building committee. She also is LEED accredited and specializes in managing green buildings. A Momentum development she will manage when it comes online in third quarter 2008 is Chandler Piazza, a mixed-use project under construction on the southeast corner of West Frye Road and South Ellis Street in Chandler. The project includes 31,000 square feet of specialty retail, restaurants, a Westin Element extended-stay hotel and 77,000 square feet of Class A office space. The two-story office complex will be a LEED certified green building utilizing technology and innovation to provide more efficient operation of all systems and lower maintenance costs, thus providing greater value to tenants and owners.

“As a LEED accredited professional, I can share my knowledge and offer education on managing green buildings to BOMA members,” Austin says. “I can also share my expertise on how to implement green as far as recycling, cleaning, public transportation and saving energy. I personally believe green buildings are going to become the norm and that tenants will have to go that route because everyone is and because employees request it.”

Dan Urioste of Square Care is also a member of the green building committee. Square Care provides cleaning and maintenance of upholstery, textiles, cubicle panels and carpeting using approved green solutions and products and a low-moisture cleaning method that conserves water and energy. It also follows LEED practices so companies using Saure Care’s services can achieve LEED credits.

“Our clients appreciate the fact we clean green,” Urioste says. “We’re all about leading a cleaner, greener life and educating people on ways to conserve and improve to make a better world for our children tomorrow.”

www.bomaphoenix.org
www.chelsea-grp.com
www.usgbc.org
www.momentumcre.com
www.squarecare.com