Green Initiatives and Earth Month Events

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Published on Thursday, 07 April 2011 19:04

GREEN INITIATIVES AND EARTH MONTH EVENTS AT LA PALMERA
 Final LEED certification expected any day; green efforts already paying off

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (April 7, 2011) – Green is the color of choice these days, particularly at La Palmera.
La Palmera will host green events throughout April in celebration of Earth Month, including Arte Verde, presented by Allied Waste Services, now in its second year. The exhibit features original works of art made from recycled and traditional art materials created by Coastal Bend students. All entries will be on exhibit April 8 through May 17 in the new artspace area located on the upper level of La Palmera. Allied Waste Services will present checks -- $2,000, $1,000 and $500 -- to the top three winners at an Earth Day reception, Friday, April 22, from 5:30-7 p.m. in exhibit area.

 La Palmera will also host a “Go Green” Expo Friday, April 22 from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The two-day event will feature local businesses that offer “green” services and products.
 And as Earth Day (April 22) approaches, it’s only fitting that La Palmera is poised to become the first mall in the U.S. to be certified LEED-CS (Core and Shell) Silver by the U.S. Green Building Council. Although final certification is pending, the green efforts implemented with the $50 million renovation are already providing benefits to La Palmera.
“La Palmera’s LEED-CS Silver certification is the third highest level in the LEED rating system,” said La Palmera General Manager Fred Walters. “We’ve managed to reduce the environmental impact through improved water and energy efficiency, and higher indoor air quality for shoppers and tenants. Not only does the mall look better, it now ‘works’ better.”
La Palmera’s project plans and final construction elements were “graded” for an appropriate level of LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council who sets “green” guidelines. Recipients must qualify in five LEED categories to be certified: sustainable site, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. Many qualifying efforts are more visible to shoppers including a mall-wide recycling program, preferred parking spaces for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles as well as the installation of native and adapted landscaping. Other elements, while not so visible, are also proving beneficial to the community.  

•    The use of high-efficiency irrigation systems, which uses 50% less municipal water, along with low-flow lavatory faucets, urinals, and toilets are already saving an average of more than 3,000 gallons per day. That’s enough to fill more than 100 bathtubs.
 

•    The installation of highly efficient HVAC and lighting systems, including new windows and solar tubes, has reduced the mall’s energy use by 35%. That’s enough electricity saved to power 100 homes for an entire year.
 

•    95% of the existing mall was saved during the renovation with 85% of construction waste avoiding the landfill by being recycled or reused.  
 

As part of their requirements for LEED certification, La Palmera has developed a “green” tour showcasing the various LEED efforts incorporated into the mall and highlighting their benefits. The tours are free to the public and may be arranged by contacting Concierge. Signage has been installed throughout the property to educate guests on the mall’s “green” efforts.
The environmental improvements have not gone unnoticed by the community either as Corpus Christi’s Advisory Committee on Community PRIDE awarded La Palmera its PRIDE Green and Clean Award in November of 2010 in recognition of the mall’s new environmentally friendly landscaping, recycling programs and clean grounds. The group seeks to recognize those who improve the overall appearance of the Corpus Christi community through enhancement of their property and exhibit stellar PRIDE both in their workplace and in their employees.

Individual tenants are doing their part as well. Aveda Institute Corpus Christi (AICC) is providing its own unique green initiatives with its 70-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine on the north side of La Palmera, the first wind turbine to be installed at a U.S. mall. The turbine, coupled with AICC’s four kinetic to direct current exercise machines, are helping to actually provide power to the two La Palmera Aveda locations. P.F. Chang’s opened their first ever LEED-CI (Commercial Interiors) certified restaurant at La Palmera. While at first glance, the restaurant does not look much different from previous locations, it is in fact designed to increase P.F.Chang's commitment to sustainable design.
Most La Palmera stores and restaurants are also participating in the mall-wide recycling program. In 2010, La Palmera recycled 121 tons of waste, which is equivalent to 2,431 football fields; this year the mall has already recycled 28 tons of waste, the equivalent of 279 football fields.
“We knew it would cost a little extra up front to implement ‘green’ standards in the renovation of La Palmera but it has already been worth the effort,” said Walters.
 

LA PALMERA
Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, La Palmera is a 1-million square foot super-regional mall with more than 100 retail and restaurant tenants including Dillard’s, JCPenney and Macy’s. Obtained in July 2008 by Trademark Property, La Palmera is the first mall to be LEED-CS pre-certified pursuing Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Following a $50 million renovation, the mall features a new outdoor main entrance featuring P.F. Chang’s and Grimaldi’s, 600-seat food court with a 4,500-gallon feature aquarium and a children’s ocean-themed play area. For more information on La Palmera, go to lapalmera.com or call (361) 991-5718.
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