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Green Buildings in Miami
Buildings in the
City of Miami total over 280 million square
feet, have an estimated value greater than $53
billion, and consume over 5 million MWH of
electricity per year. The building sector
represents over 50% of Miami’s greenhouse gas
emissions and almost all building energy comes
from electricity, which is fairly unique in the
US. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will
need to address energy efficiency in new and
existing buildings.
City Hall
By early 2009, City Hall will be a LEED Silver
certified for Existing Buildings. Already
completed upgrades include energy efficiency
upgrades of lighting and computers, water
conservation measures, use of renewable energy,
use of green cleaning products, native
landscaping, and the purchase of green products.
LEED
Miami is promoting the
US Green
Building Council’s LEED standards as the
benchmark for green buildings in the City. Miami’s first efficiently
designed building was the University of Miami
Clinical Research Center, which opened in July
2006. In 2008, Staples opened the first LEED
rated retail store in the City.
Mayor’s Green
Building Working Group
Mayor Diaz and the
Green Building Working Group of the
Miami Green Commission partner with the
local chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council to
promote green buildings within the local
development community.
Miami Green
Lab
The City has started the first phase of the
renovation of Miami Green Lab, which will be a
demonstration site and resource center for the
region to learn about green buildings, LEED
certification and how to build, renovate and
operate buildings to be resource, energy, and
water efficient. In 2008, the Home Depot
Foundation donated $750,000 for the renovation
of Green Lab.
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