Conference to explore costs, benefits of green vs. LEED

Can one build sustainably and save money on the soft costs associated with LEED certification?

Anyone involved in commercial real estate or associated industries is invited to find out on September 11 from 10:45 AM to 6:30 PM at Linden Pointe on the Lateral in Norwood.

Presented by Cincinnati Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP), the conference will feature keynote speaker Alan Whitson, president of the Corporate Realty, Design & Management Institute and a green building and financial consultant who has focused on cost analysis and justification procedures for incorporating sustainability strategies into commercial projects.

Linda Armsey, managing member of Resurgence Group LLC and chair of CREW’s Continuing Education Committee, is co-chair of the event.

“Sustainability has become a hot topic and important to the future success in leasing and selling a commercial building,” she says.  “However, the additional expense to construct green buildings has naturally caused concern and controversy among developers and building owners already plagued by rising costs and increased competition.”

Armsey says that having a clear understanding of the costs and benefits of green vs. LEED might make the difference between flourishing and going under.

“It’s essential for owners, developers, architects, construction companies and others involved in the new-commercial-building chain to have a clear understanding that sustainability in building is not a fad and, in fact, is gaining such momentum that it’s entirely possible that a building being built today with no consideration to sustainability could be obsolete in three to five years,” she says.

Admission is $70 for a full day or $30 for a partial day.

Reservations can be made online.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Linda Armsey, chair, Cincinnati CREW Continuing Education Committee