Downtown Union Park project enrolls in federal green program

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman and Steve Rypka, U.S. Green Building Council, Nevada Chapter board member, announced last week the acceptance of Union Park into the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development pilot program developed by the Council.

Union Park is the 61-acre, mixed-use, master-planned urban center under development on land owned by the city of Las Vegas in the heart of downtown. Union Park is the only project in Las Vegas participating in this national pilot program.

The LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building into the first national rating system for neighborhood design. The program is a collaboration among the Council, the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

"We are pleased to be a part of the LEED for Neighborhood Development pilot program, particularly as Union Park is the only such Las Vegas project announced to date," Goodman said. "Union Park is a development whose time has come in Las Vegas. It is playing a central role in the revitalization of downtown Las Vegas and by embracing environmentally sound development practices, is forging new ground for 'green' neighborhood development in our valley."

According to Rita Brandin, vice president and development director for Newland Communities, the national real estate development firm retained by the city to act as development manager for Union Park, the 10 million-square-foot, mixed-use project is creating an in-town culture, entertainment, working and living environment on currently unused railroad lands.

"Not only will Union Park embrace environmentally sensitive development practices going forward, it embodies the very essence of land recycling," she said.

The LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system evaluates communities on criteria related to smart location and linkage to the community at large; neighborhood pattern and design; green construction and technology; and water and energy conservation. It is a tool to help planners and developers create communities that not only protect the environment, but also address important public health issues such as physical activity, traffic accidents, respiratory illnesses and affordable housing, Rypka said. The LEED certification process includes independent, third-party verification that a development's design, construction and performance meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable development.

The pilot program is expected to conclude in 2008. Based on feedback gathered during the pilot, the rating system will be revised to improve its effectiveness and applicability to the marketplace, Rypka said. The revised rating system will then be balloted according to USGBC's consensus process and undergo approval by CNU and NRDC.

"Communities can play a tremendous role in mitigating global climate change," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief executive officer and founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council. "Buildings and the infrastructure that surround them are major sources of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. The LEED for Neighborhood Development program will enable us to make efficient use of our natural resources and design communities that make an immediate, positive impact on our planet."

Union Park is situated just east of Interstate 15 and is bounded on the east by the historic Union Park rail yards across the street from World Market Center, Clark County Government Center and the Las Vegas Premium Outlets shopping center.

It will house the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry; and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, designed by architect David Schwarz.

Planned to encompass more than 10 million square feet of office, medical, residential, retail, civic and hotel/hospitality space, Union Park has an estimated value of more than $6 billion and a build-out of approximately 11 years (2018).

For more information, visit unionparkvegas.com.