You're Invited to Learn More About the Bullitt Foundation's Living Building
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On May 4th, the Bullitt Foundation is hosting a free event to showcase the Cascadia Center for Sustainable Design and Construction. The Cascadia Center is designed to be the world's most efficient commercial building built in the world, and the nation's first mid-rise commercial building to achieve "Living Building" certification. "Living Building" certification requires the Cascadia Center to achieve 20 benchmarks, including the on-site production of 100% of the building's energy and water needs. The center would also be evaluated after one year of the building's operation (a response to the criticism that LEED-certified buildings fail to perform to green design standards over time).
Previously, the Capitol Hill blog and the Responsible Developer blog reported on the project opponents’ attempt to block the State’s most sustainable building with, ironically, the State’s most fundamental environmental law (SEPA). Earlier this month, a Hearing Examiner heard the SEPA-based appeal, and the Bullitt Center substantially prevailed. Currently, the project opponents are contemplating appealing the Hearing Examiner’s decision to Superior Court. While the building is a prime example of sustainable development, the Cascadia Center is unfortunately also a prime example of how SEPA can be used to delay a project and increase project cost. Earlier this year the Responsible Developer blog discussed the role of SEPA and sustainable development, which is available here.
Bullitt Foundation (owner), Point32 (developer), Miller Hull (architect), and the project’s proponents for moving the Cascadia Center forward. I’m looking forward to learning more on May 4th.
The Bullit Foundtion’s Cascadia Center Event
Wednesday, May 4th
6:00 – 7:30pm
Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall
At Benaroya Hall
200 University Street
Seattle, WA 98101
www.cascadiacenter.info
