Kennedy Associates has received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for the Lighton Plaza Buildings (above) owned by Multi-Employer Property Trust as a part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Volume Pilot program. This LEED EB: O&M certification is awarded to existing buildings for maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts. “The Lighton Plaza Buildings have demonstrated tremendous environmental stewardship through its LEED EB: O&M certification,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “Furthering the accomplishment, Lighton Plaza is a leading example of the importance of greening the existing building stock, which is among the most environmentally responsible actions we can take.” The Lighton Plaza Buildings are the three of the five Class A office buildings to receive LEED EB: O&M certification in Overland Park, Kan., and part of only the second LEED EB: O&M volume certification nationally. The buildings were judged on requirements in areas of site, energy, water, waste, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.
“The Lighton Plaza Building’s LEED certification is a significant achievement and a reflection of the commitment of the building’s ownership and property management team to sustainable property operations and maintenance; a best practice in today’s market,” stated Mike McKee, CEO of Kennedy Associates. “We have achieved Silver certification for Lighton Plaza cost-effectively, providing its tenants a more sustainable, operationally efficient and healthy place to do business.” Kennedy Associates in partnership with CB Richard Ellis implemented multiple sustainable actions on behalf of MEPT to achieve Silver certification including:
- Achieved an ENERGY STAR rating of 84 at Lighton Plaza I, 87 at Lighton Plaza II and 88 at Lighton Tower, making, them eligible for the ENERGY STAR Label and demonstrating greater energy efficiency than the national average.
- Implemented water efficiency measures that reduced water consumption.
- Implemented sustainability policies and plans covering green cleaning, purchasing, waste management, water efficiency, site management, lighting, and pest management among others.
- Developed proprietary technical assistance tools and education/training modules.
Straub Construction receives three Capstone Awards
Straub Construction, now celebrating its 90th anniversary, recently received three Capstone Awards for enhancing the KC community with quality construction and real estate. Above, Straub Construction President Ernie Straub III and Straub Construction Executive VP and COO Parker Young were presented the awards by event sponsor Walton Construction COO Dennis Thompson and KCBJ Publisher Joyce Hayhow.
No other company received three awards, so Straub was more than pleased with this accomplishment! Winning projects included mixed-use Phoenix Building in Overland Park, plus two multi-family projects including Hyde Park Apartments in Kansas City, Mo., and Northeast Junior High Place senior living in Kansas City, Kan. Each project was completed in 2009. Straub Construction Company is a general contractor located in Shawnee. This is the fifth year the Capstone Awards program has recognized projects including real estate development, design, construction, and transactions that enhance the metro area. Straub Construction and its project teams have been recognized with Capstone Awards for the past four consecutive years.
This spring the Straub Construction team was also presented an Excellence in Construction award by the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) for the Phoenix Building project. Located in downtown Overland Park, this building is a three-story development project designed by Incite Design and is located on the former site of the Gil Rumsey Art Gallery. The Phoenix Building is stylish, yet crafted to blend seamlessly with the existing historic area.
This appraiser knows his golf
We caught up recently with CB Richard Ellis’ Chris Williams, MAI, who was just promoted to managing director of valuation and advisory services in Kansas City. He joined CBRE in 2007 as a senior appraiser, bringing with him more than 13 years of real estate appraisal and consulting experience in property types including office buildings, retail, residential subdivisions, industrial, condominiums, golf courses and mixed-use developments. He will continue to be the regional expert and coordinator for golf course valuations and consulting as well. His new role enables him to do two things he really loves: First, working closer with staff to ensure a quality service/product is produced. “Teaching and training people something you love to do is always a privilege,” he said. Second, he gets to market his services to lenders, developers, brokers, REIT’s and attorneys. “In general, I get to meet and discuss real estate with market participants on a daily basis,” he said.
“I help officiate the real estate world,” Williams said. “That includes review of all appraisals that go out the door from the Kansas City office. I market our expertise in valuation, consulting and appraisal assignments within our territory, region and nationally. Training our less experienced staff and assisting veteran staff with tougher appraisal assignments. I am the golf valuation leader for the South Central Region, which includes all golf course appraisal and consulting assignments in the region. A father of three, he’s an avid golfer and coaches his daughter’s softball team along with his wife. A huge college basketball fan, he’s typically watching the officials more than the game!