Seattle a Top City for LEED Facilities
Seattle is one of the top cities in the nation for LEED facilities and the City of Seattle is expected to become one of the largest single owners of LEED facilities in the world by 2013. This achievement was spurred by the City's adoption of the Sustainable Building Policy in 2000 (see below).

The City of Seattle currently has 38 projects—either completed, under construction, or planned—that are targeted for LEED certification.  These represent capital improvement projects within six departments. So far the City has completed 13 projects (see case studies); of these, nine are certified, three have certification pending, and one did not achieve a LEED rating.  Five more projects will be completed in 2006 and are expected to achieve a LEED Silver rating. 

Many of the future planned projects are part of a significant group of Fire Levy funded projects, with a long-term completion schedule extending into 2013. Seattle Public Utilities’ planned redevelopment of two solid waste transfer stations and intermodal facility are also targeted for a LEED Silver rating. When all 38 projects are complete, the City is expected to be one of the largest single owners of LEED facilities. 

For additional details on the City's move toward sustainability, read our 5-Year Report:  Building a Better City.

Sustainable Building Policy Adopted in 2000
Adopted in February 2000, Seattle's Sustainable Building Policy was an integral part of the City's move toward sustainability.  It called for new City-funded projects and renovations with over 5,000 square feet of occupied space to achieve a Silver rating using the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Green Building Rating System™. 

Coupled with the biggest capital improvement program since the Seattle fire of 1888, the Sustainable Building Policy provided a unique leadership opportunity to create change in the building industryl and the Mayor and City Council unanimously adopted it to encourage adoption of green building.  The City set out to “Lead by Example,” while meeting other city goals, which included:

• demonstrating the City’s commitment to environmental, economic, and social stewardship,
• yielding cost savings to the City taxpayers through reduced operating costs,
• providing healthy work environments for staff and visitors, and
• contributing to the City’s goals of protecting, conserving, and enhancing the region’s environmental resources.

Using a national standard such as LEED helps establish minimum performance levels, creates a common dialogue for discussion, and allows Seattle to measure its building performance relative to other jurisdictions using the same system. In addition, technical rulings, training, networking and marketing support are provided by the USGBC.