Section 2: Individual LEED Credit Reviews
LEED Credit SS-2:
Basis for Cost Assumption
Development Density
Because the site selection process is outside the
scope of this study, no construction cost premium
is attributed to sites that meet the credit
Intent
requirements.
Channel development to urban areas with
Because it cannot be assumed that all GSA projects
existing infrastructure, protect greenfields, and
will meet the credit criteria, this credit is assumed
preserve habitat and natural resources.
to be earned in only half of the Courthouse and
Office Building scenarios. In the Courthouse
Requirement
model, the credit is included in the "low cost"
cases, but not in the "high cost" cases. For the
Increase localized density to conform to existing
Office Building scenarios, the credit is included in
or desired density goals by utilizing sites that are
the "minimum faade renovation" cases, but not in
located within an existing minimum
the "full faade renovation" cases.
development density of 60,000 square feet per
acre (two-story downtown development).
Summary of First Cost Impacts
(1 point)
Courthouse (New Construction, 262,000 GSF)
Cost Impact = 2
No identified cost premiums.
1
2
3
4
5
Office Building (Modernization, 306,600 GSF)
GSA
No
Low
Moderate
High
No identified cost premiums.
Mandate
premium,
premium
premium
premium
(no cost)
psble svgs
(<50K)
(50-150K)
(>150K)
Additional Considerations
Practical Applications
None identified.
Project site selection is outside the scope of this
study; however, it can generally be assumed that
Synergistic Credits
many GSA project sites will comply with the
requirements of this credit, while some will not. As
None identified (with construction cost impacts).
the majority of GSA's projects are sited in urban
locations, the expectation is that most projects will
meet the criteria. However, previous projects
(particularly in smaller cities) have demonstrated
that some available sites may be located just
outside of the densest urban areas, which prevents
them from meeting the 60,000 square feet per acre
requirement.
GSA LEED COST STUDY
30
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