Vanport Square Phase I, located on NE Martin Luther King Jr., Boulevard between NE Sumner and NE Emerson Streets, has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. The LEED Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, provides a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. The project, which opened in January 2008, was developed by Vanport Partners, LLC and partially funded by the Portland Development Commission (PDC) and the Portland Family of Funds.

“The importance of sustainability is more pronounced than ever in underserved communities,” said Ray Leary, a principal in Vanport Partners. “Because of the high level of disregard, pollution was relatively unchecked, and now developers must try in every instance to not only correct this historic imbalance, but to set a new standard as well.”

Vanport Square achieved LEED Gold Certification for the building core and shell through the following efforts:

An integrated storm water management plan that achieves an 80 percent storm water mitigation rate
Landscaping and irrigation systems that reduce water usage by 79.6 percent
Dual flush toilets and low-flow fixtures save an estimated 36,415 gallons per year
Renewable energy purchases that equal 100 percent
Reusing 76.8 percent of the existing building shell and structure
A 97 percent landfill diversion rate for construction, demolition, and land clearing debris
One hundred percent of the mixed-use spaces and 96 percent of the retail and restaurant spaces have views connecting the building occupants to the outdoors
“We at PDC are very proud to have helped this project reach a successful conclusion,” said Bernie Kerosky PDC’s project manager for the Vanport Phase I project. “Receiving LEED Gold certification is an outstanding achievement for this project – and for the development team.”

Vanport Square project includes 16 for sale flexible retail and commercial spaces targeting local and small businesses. Fourteen of the units are sold with two units currently available. In addition, the project includes an enhanced pedestrian environment designed to support existing business and foster community.

The LEED rating system offers four certification levels for new construction—Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum—that correspond to the number of credits accrued in five green design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.