Note: This pilot credit was closed for new registrations as of August 15, 2011.

This credit was created to emphasize the positive social and cultural effects of building reuse in a community. USGBC sees building reuse as a top priority for green building, and this credit aims to incentivize the rehabilitation of buildings of significant importance or potential impact to the community.

Project teams are encouraged to begin envisioning their project by evaluating existing building rehabilitation options and considering the community impacts of their project.

Credit Submittals

General

1. Register for Pilot Credit(s) LEEDuser.com, and participate in online forum
2. Submit the feedback survey using the link on the USGBC.org credit page; supply PDF of your survey/confirmation of completion with credit documentation

Credit Specific

Submittal requirements for this credit have not been finalized. The below submittals are suggested documentation only. Submit documents you feel are appropriate to support your claims to assist in the development of submittal requirements.

Both Options

Create a table describing the envelope and the existing area and reused area of the structural elements. This table should account for all square footage of the existing envelope and structural elements. Exclude non-structural roofing material from credit calculations. If portions of structural elements have been excluded from either existing or reused areas due to structural unsoundness, presence of hazardous materials and/or contamina-tion risk to occupants, include a narrative indicating the situation and reasons for exclusion.

Option 1 – Historic Building Reuse

• Submit evidence of the building’s listing in local, state, or national registries of historic buildings/places. Documentation could be in the form of an official letter or a scanned copy of a certificate.
• Submit evidence that the planned rehabilitation is approved by the applicable historic board authority. This could be a Certificate of Appropriateness, letter of agreement with the state Historic Preservation Office or confirmation from a qualified historic architect that the rehabilitation conforms to the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for the treatment of Historic Properties.
• If federal funds are used, provide evidence that the rehabilitation meets the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation.

Option 2

• Submit documentation of the building’s blight or abandoned status. This could be an official letter or statement from local authorities, or a scanned copy of applicable local laws or statutes.
• Include an optional narrative about why the rehabilitation of this building will revitalize the community and/or promote social equity.

Additional Questions

1. In the past LEED has intentionally allowed projects to replace old, inefficient windows without penalty. In this credit we have included windows as part of the re-used envelope to incentivize the restoration of historic/existing window assemblies. Do you think this is an appropriate incentive for LEED projects?
2. Under the credit, a building is considered abandoned/blighted if it is officially designated as such by authorities. Should this classification expand to include the local community’s own definition of abandoned/blighted buildings for redevelopment? Would you consider personal testimony as an acceptable form of documentation for this classification?