I just recently read in the latest issue of 904 Magazine, a branch of Jacksonville Magazine, that the tower will apply for Energy Star certification in the 1st quarter of this year. That is up at the end of the month, so hopefully that has been accomplished. In the first part of this year, the 1st and 2nd floor common areas will receive cosmetic upgrades to improve it's overall atmosphere. By 2010, the building will look to receive LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
This is definetly a step forward for one of downtown's more bland looking buildings, especially from the outside. Hopefully the tower can receive a new outdoor plaza fronting Bay Street and maybe even a reclading of the facade making it even more emposing in the skyline.
Thanks for sharing!
There seem to be a decent number of buildings applying for LEED Certification in Jacksonville which I'm pretty happy about. I think as more developers become LEED certified themselves, this will only increase. Most of the 'green' features in buildings in Jacksonville seem to be based around lighting, windows and waterless/less water bathroom fixtures. I'd like so see more green elements in Jacksonville - solar panels, green roofs, rainwater reuse, etc.
The federal government is pretty much requiring all new structures to be LEED certified. This is becoming more and more common so it makes sense for the commercial world to be jumping on board.