The local press is starting to notice how an increasing number of Chattanoogans have begun to act on their commitment to the environment. I got a call a week or so ago from a Times-Free Press reporter who was writing this article on “green” business practices in Chattanooga. It came out in yesterday’s paper, and has some good points and mentions our new store, which should be finished in another couple months.
The 95,000-square-foot development, which will include a Greenlife Grocery store and Rock Creek Outfitters, is “LEED” certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program of the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED provides standards for green construction in operation, including site development, water savings, energy efficiency and materials selection. Some of the efforts at Two North Shore include collecting rainwater off the roof for irrigation, and using building materials purchased within 500 miles of the site, decreasing the energy spent on transport.
Among construction workers and developers, the LEED concept is becoming increasingly familiar, said Steve Arnsdorff, founder of CS & Associates, who worked with Chuck Pruett of Greenlife to develop Two North Shore.
“I think (LEED) is become a buzzword in this town, in just 18 months, which is very cool,” Mr. Arnsdorff said. ” ‘Green’ was always something that didn’t really have any real application to our business, because what did it really mean? But LEED gives you something. It gives you criteria to shoot for.”
Read the full story here. (The article mistakenly credits Rock Creek with starting the local chapter of Green Drinks- that was really our friends over at Tricyle).
There’s also supposed to be an article on the Environmental Stewardship Award we recently gave to Chaco. I’ll keep you updated on that.
If you’re familiar with Rock Creek, you’ll know that we’re a company committed to sustainability, and we’re doing what we can to decrease the negative impact our business practices have on the environment. See our environmental statement and enviro. articles online for more information.