Green Fever Hits Spokane
Newly expanded center working to be the third with LEED certification
By Jillian Dauer -- Tradeshow Week, 8/7/2006
Spokane, Wash.—The decision to expand the Spokane Convention Center wasn't just a matter of drumming up business for the Eastern Washington city; it was also about striving to improve its environmental sustainability. At the same time it has doubled in size, the center has prepared to become the third to obtain the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The choice to go green came while designing the facility. Built along the Spokane River and on the site of Expo '74, the first World's Fair to focus on the environment, the center epitomizes the city's motto: "Near nature. Near perfect."
"We thought it was appropriate to go for LEED because of the setting and our theme," said Johnna Boxley, Spokane Convention Center general manager. "It's the right thing to do."
To obtain the LEED certification, the center had a checklist of requirements to meet. The requirements are divided into five categories, each with its own set of standards assigned a point value. The goal is to comply with enough suggestions to obtain the minimum 26 points needed for certification.
Boxley said, "We have attained 28 points, which gives us the certification for sure."
In addition to reducing the "heat island effect" with a light-colored roof that reflects light and heat rather than absorbing them, the center landscaped with drought-tolerant plants, installed waterless urinals that use chemicals to dispose of the waste, and used recycled materials in the metal rails and boards surrounding the doors and elevator shaft. All of the construction materials that could be were shipped from within a 500-mile radius, reducing shipping costs and fuel use. Electrical power will be generated by renewable wind energy. Before construction started, the center faced the challenge of removing, cleaning and disposing of dirt according to USGBC specifications.
Kurt Steiner, certification program assistant for the USGBC, said seven convention centers currently are candidates for certification, including Spokane. The Pasadena (Calif.) Convention Center (which recently announced its own plans for expansion) is one of them, but the other five want to remain confidential.
Finished two months ahead of schedule, the Spokane facility increased from 38,000 square feet to 100,000 sq. ft. The former convention center is now undergoing a renovation that will create a 25,000 sq. ft. ballroom and add six new meeting rooms for a total of 24.
While going green added about $200,000 to $300,000 to the $89 million cost of the expansion, Boxley said it will pay for itself over time.
"We will save money in the long run with energy-efficient systems and the ability to market to the niche groups that want to have their meeting in a green building," she said.
Funding for the expansion and renovation was provided through bed taxes and a $37 million state sales rebate tax allowed because the state of Washington is interested in promoting tourism.
"We think we have enough groups on the books for the future that will have enough economic spending power to almost equal the cost of the building," said Harry Sladich, president and CEO of the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Keith Backsen, vice president and director of sales for the bureau, said it has confirmed 14 new groups, with an economic impact of $60 million, who will use the center through 2011. This does not include 15 local consumer shows, half of which have booked additional space.
Prior to the expansion, Backsen estimated the average show occupied 25,000 to 30,000 sq. ft. He said groups in the new center are averaging 60,000 sq. ft. However, "no one is taking all 100,000 sq. ft. at this point," he said.
Going green has paid off for the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. As the second facility, but first existing building, to receive LEED certification, the center is more effective in operations, said Director Jeff Blosser.
For example, the facility's storage areas have automatic lighting that turns off 10 minutes after someone leaves a room. Garbage costs have been reduced by composting. With less load, the center is charged less.
"We recycled 42 percent of all waste last year and saved 28 percent of the garbage bill," he said. "Our goal is to recycle 50 percent."
The Oregon center attracts groups with green agendas themselves, that often request organic food options, extensive recycling systems for exhibitors and information about how much of the food waste goes to charity.
"They want to see how green their meeting was," Blosser said.
The center is trying to get its silver certification at the end of the year and is working to certify the rest of the building.
The Vancouver (British Columbia) Convention & Exhibition Centre is LEED-certified with the Canada Green Building Council.
"People in the Northwest really value natural beauty; the region as a whole has capitalized on the beauty of its surroundings," Sladich said.
Blosser agreed that it "falls in line with what the Northwest is known for: being ecological."
As more projects register with the USGBC, the possibility that the industry is moving toward making all buildings green becomes stronger.
"My view is, LEED is an interim step in the industry," said Jud Marquardt, partner of LMN Architects, which designed the Spokane center. "A decade from now it will be the norm."
Marquardt compared this notion to that of building codes and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"Now it's a matter of course. You just do it," he said.
The process to expand in Spokane started in 1990, shortly after construction of the original convention center, the Ag Trade Center, was complete. Sladich said discussions have already begun on another expansion to "make sure we're planning ahead again. We don't want to limit ourselves."
"If you stop looking at the future and stay stagnant, you'll lose your edge," Boxley said.
