Sarah Talkington of Austin Energy and the Manager of Commercial Austin Energy Green Building Team, shares how Mueller is proving that sustainability works and is improving the lives of community members.
On February 4, USGBC announced the Top 10 States for LEED, which highlights U.S. states that made significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and performance over the past year. The annual ranking assesses the total square feet of LEED-certified space per resident in 2018.
USGBC is committed to ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future and a higher standard of living for the next generation, because we believe that changing one life, one neighborhood or one city can change the world. And that future would not be possible without the extraordinary work being done in this year’s Top 10 States.
This year, we applaud and celebrate both the projects and the people who are working to create lasting, measurable change in their communities.
Improving quality of life at the whole community scale in Texas
- Top 10 States for LEED rank: 5
- Number of projects certified in 2018: 277
- Certified gross square feet: 88,404,993
- Gross square feet per resident: 3.52
Texas is leading the charge in developing more sustainable buildings, communities and cities. Projects like the Mueller Development are shining examples of how LEED certification is helping to raise the quality of life in communities all over the world.
One of the world’s largest LEED for Neighborhood Development projects, Mueller was the result of a public-private partnership between Catellus Development Group and the City of Austin to redevelop the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport into a mixed-use urban village that sustainably supports local housing and economic development.
The 700-acre community is well on its way to becoming home to approximately 14,300 people, 14,500 employees, 10,500 construction jobs, 4 million square feet of office and retail, more than 6,200 homes and 140 acres of public open space. Through a commitment to fiscal responsibility, economic development, east Austin revitalization, compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods, diversity and affordability, and sustainability, Mueller has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership in environmental stewardship and a strong commitment to the health, comfort and well-being of its community.
Has LEED made an impact on your quality of life? Have you noticed LEED improving your community or city? We want to hear from you. Share your stories with us by signing up for the Living Standard campaign at livingstandard.org.