Section 2: Individual LEED Credit Reviews
LEED Credit SS-3:
(NESHAPS). This option may apply to some GSA
modernization projects.
Brownfield Redevelopment
Basis for Cost Assumption
Intent
The decision to develop on a brownfield site is part
of a broader real estate market survey and site
Rehabilitate damaged sites where development is
analysis performed by GSA prior to purchasing or
complicated by real or perceived environmental
leasing a property. As this process is outside of
contamination, reducing pressure on
GSA's LEED requirements for buildings, site
undeveloped land.
remediation costs are not associated with GSA's
LEED directive. No construction cost premiums
Requirement
are therefore attributed to sites that meet the credit
requirements.
Develop on a site documented as contaminated
(by means of an ASTM E190397 Phase II
Because it cannot be assumed that all GSA projects
Environmental Site Assessment) or on a site
will meet the credit criteria, this credit is assumed
classified as a brownfield by a local, state, or
to be earned in only half of the Courthouse
federal government agency. Effectively
scenarios. The credit is included in the "low cost"
remediate site contamination.
Courthouse cases, but not in the "high cost" cases.
(1 point)
Because site development is not included in the
scope of the Office Building modernization, the
credit is not considered applicable to those
Cost Impact = 2
scenarios. For the purposes of the study, asbestos
remediation is also not part of the Office Building
modernization (no remediation work is required).
1
2
3
4
5
Summary of First Cost Impacts
GSA
No
Low
Moderate
High
Mandate
premium,
premium
premium
premium
(no cost)
psble svgs
(<50K)
(50-150K)
(>150K)
Courthouse (New Construction, 262,000 GSF)
Practical Applications
No identified cost premiums.
Project site selection is outside the scope of this
study; however, it can generally be assumed that
Office Building (Modernization, 306,600 GSF)
some GSA project sites will comply with the
requirements of this credit, while some will not.
The credit is not applicable.
The majority of GSA's projects are sited in urban
locations, and most involve previously developed
sites. Remediation work has been required in the
Additional Considerations
past, with some of GSA's project sites officially
categorized as brownfields. The LEED credit
None identified.
would be earned in these situations.
Synergistic Credits
The USGBC has also ruled that asbestos
remediation in an existing building can qualify for
None identified (with construction cost impacts).
this credit, assuming that the cleanup is performed
to meet a generally accepted remediation standard,
such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA) and/or the National Emissions
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
GSA LEED COST STUDY
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