The Saint Paul Port Authority has successfully earned a LEED for Communities Platinum level precertification for The Heights, a brownfield redevelopment project slated to bring 1,000 new housing units and 1,000 living wage jobs to Saint Paul, Minnesota’s, Greater East Side.
This award was granted by the U.S. Green Building Council as part of its LEED for Cities and Communities certification program. Platinum is the highest level to be obtained and puts The Heights on course as the first project in the State of Minnesota and one of fewer than 55 communities worldwide to reach this milestone.
“This precertification represents the Port Authority’s dedication to equitable and sustainable development. From day one, our objective at The Heights has been to bridge social, economic, and environmental investments to protect the health and wellness of those who live and work on the Greater East Side,” said Kathryn Sarnecki, chief development officer for the Saint Paul Port Authority. “Our next step is to find businesses that are poised for growth and share our commitment to sustainability to relocate to our light industrial parcels.”
A LEED for Communities Platinum® certification is achieved through a comprehensive rating system evaluation. To achieve Platinum certification, a minimum score of 80 points is required. The Heights received 87 points.
“After working closely with the Port Authority on this project, LHB is excited to see that the precertification score validates the work we’ve done on the front side and verifies that we’re on the right track with our plans for The Heights,” adds Rick Carter, chief executive officer for LHB.
Reflecting on these results, Asa Posner, vice president of sales, Sustainable Investment Group states, “Our engineers and LEED consultants have thoroughly enjoyed guiding the Port on precertification and are grateful to be part of the shared vision for a more equitable, resilient, prosperous, joyful, and sustainable community on Saint Paul’s Greater East Side.”
