We have a project for which we did a design phase submittal- we are now nearly completion on our construction phase submittal. We are close to the number of points we want, but if we are unable to obtain all of the points we want after we receive comments on the construction phase submittal, can we, in our very last submittal addressing all of the construction phase comments then submit an additional credit? I realize that there would be no opportunity for feedback from USGBC (thumbs up or down), but I wanted to confirm that this is in fact doable?

Yes. We are seeing the same situation. On the one hand it helps make our job as LEED Project Managers seem increasingly valuable since it's our job to ensure we meet the requirements of all the new addenda and form changes. On the other hand, it's frustrating to project teams to have constantly moving targets. We understand why and how this is occurring, but you're right in that we have little to no recourse to influence the lack in consistency of our documentation requirements.

At what point are design submittals made?

To see which credits are Design and which are Construction, go to the individual LEED certification credit pages on LEEDuser, click on the "Documentation Toolkit" tab, and look for the designation on each credit.
This same information is also found on your scorecard in LEED Online.

Erin, you cannot exempt a portion of the building in this way. You'll need to show savings in all areas of building eneryg use to earn LEED points. More information about this in the EAp2 forum.

I am working on a project that is only half funded. The A/E firm has been approved for 80% construction docs. It also is going to have a significant amount of leasable space to which tenants have not yet been identified. As the project moves along, the leasable space may become leased and then the use may change which may impact occupancy numbers. Having said all that, would you do a design submittal or not? If yes, when?

You can do two things. One, wait the 2 months and submit all design credits together. Two, defer a few of the design credits to the construction credit review. Without knowing why you are wanting to split the design review, I would recommend waiting until all of your design credit documentation was ready. It is easier on your team.

I have not experienced difficulties about this. At first, owners are a little bit baffled, but then turn to be quite enthusiastic about the idea. I believe is a good way to get them involved.

I'm working on the first project of a 10 year masterplan, each component of which is required to be LEED Silver or better. The first project, however, is the entry-plaza, which includes a retail building, a guest services building, 3 conditioned ticketing booths, an information building, and an outdoor covered seating addition involving a small amount of kitchen renovation in an existing building. I've researched creating a "block" for the entire 10-year plan, but for this first phase, it appears I'd have to make an internal block and register each of these components individually. Is this correct? Is there no way to track this as one project? Hoping you can help me!

Just to be clear, as we saying that multiple buildings must be registered separately- and, therefore, must pay separate registration and certification fees? This wil multiply the tracking and documentatin effort for many credits,especially materials credits. And, if you submit a campus as separate buildings in a block, is it best to slice the site up as well?