[GBlist] Municipal Green Building Program

[George Bradley Guy <minou@grove.ufl.edu>]

The City of Gainesville, Florida is considering final adoption of a green 
builidng program for City-owned and commercial buildings, and for residential 
buildings. The major concerns center on the amount and kind of support the City 
would provide for the private sector and making the institutional building 
standard (using LEED) mandatory for City-owned buildings (there is a waiver 
clause for opting out). I think the local government will generally balk at the 
fees that USGBC charges for LEED ratings. I also fear that they will just opt 
out anyway, giving no impetus to the program, and making it a paper document. 
Other than seeking funds to provide the support for the program for the first 
year or two, any suggestions for answers to the City Commissions' concerns are 
appreciated. Those questions are:

Why should the City provide advertising, awards, marketing of the program, and 
training to the private sector, at least in the beginning?
Why should the City commit to the green building program for its own buildings?
Thank you in advance,
Brad Guy

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