City Green Building
Timeline: Green Building Milestones
Seattle's green building program is linked with many of the City of Seattle's other sustainability and conservation-related initiatives. The program has been built on a strong history of utility energy and water conservation programs, activities of the Office of Sustainability and Environment, and more.
The following timeline highlights a broad range of milestones related to green building.
| YEAR |
MILESTONE
|
| 1977 | Energy conservation programs launched by Seattle City Light (SCL) |
| 1979 | Water conservation programs launched by Seattle Water Department (now Seattle Public Utilities or SPU) |
| 1989 | City adopts Solid Waste Comprehensive Plan including demolition waste as a target |
| 1992 | City adopts "Buy Recycled" ordinance |
| City adopts Environmental Action Agenda with sustainability as one of 11 guiding principles | |
| 1994 | Model conservation home created by City as a demonstration |
| City adopts Comprehensive Plan for Growth Management, "Toward a Sustainable Seattle" | |
| 1996 | Partnership for Resource Efficient Schools with City and Seattle Public Schools (SPU) |
| 1997 | City establishes office currently known as Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) |
| Sustainable Building Northwest Conference and Trade Show led by City (SPU) | |
| 1998 | Sustainable Building Action Plan completed by City (led by SPU) |
| SPU hires first full-time green building staff member | |
| 1999 | Northwest Regional Sustainable Building Action Plan completed, led by City (SCL) |
| City Environmental Management Program adopted w/green building as a topic (OSE) | |
| City Green Building Team formed | |
| 2000 | City adopts sustainable building policy for City owned facilities |
| First City LEED project completed (Justice Center) | |
| Citywide Sustainable Building website launched | |
| Sustainable Building Advisor program launched led by City (SCL) w/ Seattle Central Community College | |
| City adopts commitment for SCL to meet all future electric load growth with no net increase in greenhouse gas emissions | |
| 2001 | SCL creates first permanent full-time green building staff member |
| LEED Incentive Program launched by SCL and SPU | |
| Sustainable Demand Project | |
| 2002 | Built Green Multifamily Incentive program launched (SCL and SPU) |
| 2003 | SCL achieved Low Impact Hydropower Institute certification of hydroelectric dams on the Skagit River, which allows LEED projects to take credit for 25% certified off-site renewable energy |
| Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center certified LEED Gold | |
| 2004 | Green Remodel program launched by City (SPU) |
| Build Green NW program launched | |
| Five City projects LEED Certified: Justice Center, Airport Way Center (Part 90/5), Fisher Pavilion, High Point Community Center, Central Library | |
| Traugott Terrace LEED Certified (first Affordable Housing LEED project and a LEED Incentive recipient) | |
| Built Green represents 12% of all home construction in King and Snohomish Counties | |
| Seven solar electricity (photovoltaic) demonstration projects completed, including Merrill Hall | |
| 2005 | Same day the Kyoto Protocol goes into effect for 141 nations across the globe, Mayor Greg Nickels issued the Kyoto Challenge to mayors across the United States |
| Seattle is #1 in the U.S. for LEED projects and LEED-accredited professionals | |
| Built Green Competition winners announced | |
| Four Built Green Multifamily Incentive Projects certified (Croft Place, Denny Park Apartments, Katharine's Place, Pantages) | |
| City Hall certified LEED Gold | |
| Four LEED Incentive projects are certified (Nordheim Court, Merrill Hall, Alcyone, SBRI) | |
| SPU Comprehensive Drainage Plan adopted with green building as component. | |
| Built Green reaches 17% of all home construction in King and Snohomish Counties | |
| 2006 | Mayor Nickels announces recommendations made by the Green Ribbon Commission on Climate Protection |
| City Green Building Program reorganizes with centralized structure at Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | |
| Cedar Watershed Environmental Learning Center certified LEED Gold | |
| LEED Incentive Project, 9th & Stewart Life Sciences Building, certified LEED Core & Shell |
Return to Program History homepage.
Last Updated: June 13, 2006
