Green Garage Certification Program Guide

Transcription

1 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Version 1.4:

2 The Green Parking Council (GPC) is a national 501(c)(3) organization developing and dispersing green parking practices in and around the parking industry. We promote certification and education, open-sourced standards, and professional leadership. GPC works at the intersection of parking, green building, clean technology, renewable energy, smart grid infrastructure, urban planning, and sustainable mobility. By challenging ourselves to collaborate and create opensource, sustainable best practices, GPC encourages exceptional industry transformation. Green Garage Certification is the only rating system defining and recognizing sustainable practices in parking structure management, programming, design, and technology. An industry-driven, field-tested road map for high-performance new and existing parking garages, Green Garage Certification recognizes forward-thinking facilities working today to shape tomorrow s transportation ecosystem. Green Garage Certification is voluntary, consensus-driven standard promoting an integrated approach enabling parking structures to achieve: Increased energy efficiency and performance Reduced environmental impact Efficient parking space management Integrated sustainable mobility services and technologies Enhanced performance as mobility hub Stronger community relationships

3 Table of Contents Page 1. Introduction to Certification 1 2. Certification as Operating System 2 3. Green Garage Certification Standard 3 4. Points and Achievement Levels 3 5. Green Garage Certification Toolbox 4 6. Eligibility 5 7. Application Process 6 8. Resources 8

4 1. Introduction to Certification Parking matters Parking and mixed-use structures constitute a substantial portion of the built environment, yet as an asset class and building type, parking has lagged in the sustainability movement. Additionally, parking and transportation have significant environmental impacts, especially regarding carbon emissions, pollution, and fuel consumption. Parking sits at the critical intersection of the built environment and transportation modes. As such, parking structures create new opportunities to advance sustainability both in how we plan, design, and maintain parking structures (the built environment) and our commuting and travel options (transportation modes). A growing consciousness and evolving technology now allow us to reposition the practice and form of parking as a transformative force in our cities, campuses, and other development sites. Green Garage Certification springboards from this opportunity. Where we place parking matters Where we place parking creates either opportunities or barriers. Siting and design impact water resources, energy efficiency, and construction materials. Additionally, locating parking near transit and providing alternative modes of transportation can reduce vehicle miles traveled, emissions, fuel consumption, and even costs. How much parking we build matters Reducing the number of spaces required to serve a development, campus, or institution through shared-use analysis and program, and alternative modes of travel, reduces both the quantity and life cycle impacts of construction, as well as the cost to plan, build, and maintain these structures. Beyond the physical aspects of the building, constructing less parking allows greater opportunity for a healthy mix of uses (residential, commercial, or institutional) and even recreational or open space. The ideal parking space is both heavily utilized and appropriately priced to maximize land use and create a better array of transportation choices. An industry specific standard matters Parking structures are a unique asset comprised of various parts bridge, building, pedestrian pathway, architectural façade. They are both passive buildings for car storage and active buildings as essential elements of our transportation networks. Technology unique to parking is revolutionizing the industry. With these conditions in mind, parking structures dictate, and deserve, a specific standard designed to demonstrate best practices, raise the bar on environmental performance, and encourage innovation with ever-evolving technology. v1.4 6/1/15 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Page 1 of 9

5 Relationship to other certification systems Third party ratings systems such as LEED and Green Globes promote best practices and sustainability measures typically when parking is included as an element of a larger project. Parking and mixed-use structures have been certified under these ratings systems, creating a transformational foundation for rethinking parking. Yet often existing rating systems do not apply, or are a difficult fit, for parking facilities. When applicable, we applaud and encourage their use; Green Garage Certification explicitly recognizes the benefits of LEED and Green Globes. Building upon this foundation, Green Garage Certification advances to recognize the environmentally sustainable practices and technologies unique to parking garages and the evolving transportation and parking ecosystem in which they function. 2. Certification as Operating System Green Garage Certification (GGC) is designed with a vision that parking can be a greener good, service, and real estate class. It can be more sustainable from the triple-bottom line perspective of people, planet, and profit. And facilities that adopt and promulgate the standard can be more profitable and provide a higher level of service, advancing the industry as a whole. GGC has both meaningful and achievable objectives for the industry: To provide, codify, and recognize best practices in the parking industry To advance emerging technologies with significant environmental benefits To innovate and collaborate to create an improved parking structure through a more holistic, integrated team environment To benchmark success as well as potential, measuring impacts to people, planet, and profit, so we can learn to create greater return on investment and raise the bar on garage performance GGC applies not only to new and proposed structures, where owners seek to plan, design, and operate to the highest industry standards, but also to existing structures that demonstrate substantial physical, programmatic, and operational achievements. The standard raises the bar in the built environment, but it doesn t stop there - it considers programming and operations unique to the industry. This first release of the Green Garage Certification was designed to balance stability and flexibility. The system is formal, creating benchmarks and measurable performance indicators to gauge sustainability in the building type. It is also innovative, allowing for growth and transformation in planning, design, construction, and operations. This balance was crafted to ensure that certification is not just admirable but achievable, as well as tangible and rigorous. v1.4 6/1/15 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Page 2 of 9

6 3. Green Garage Certification Standard The Green Garage Certification Standard outlines forty-eight approaches garages can employ to achieve sustainability. This set of opportunities provides facilities with a pathway to reduce environment impact and boost operational efficiency, structural longevity, community relationships and revenue diversity. The Standard is organized in three major categories, with an added area for innovations: Management highlights ways in which garage operations can maximize the use of a parking asset while minimizing waste. Embracing these practices ensures facility staff utilizes resources to their full potential. Programming guides garages to new revenue sources, greater customer satisfaction and stronger community relations. Green garage programs ensure effective vehicle ingress/egress, provide access to alternative mobility solutions, and leverage the garage s potential as a public space. Technology and Structure Design outlines the physical attributes a garage can deploy to increase energy efficiency, lower waste and support customer mobility choice. Innovative sustainability initiatives not yet included within the program are incorporated through an Innovation category. 4. Points and Achievement Levels Green Garage Certification is a single system accommodating both existing structures and new construction projects. The forty eight elements of the program offer a menu of options for enhancing the sustainability of a parking structure, allowing asset owners to select those initiatives that are most well suited for their operation. Points are assigned to specific measures based on environmental impact, achievability in new and existing structures and relevance to the economics of the asset. A total of 248 points are available, with Green Garage Certification achieved by meeting minimum thresholds for existing and new parking structures. Existing Structures Existing structures seeking certification must demonstrate achievement of 90 points in total and 15 points in each of the Management, Programming, and Technology and Structure Design categories. v1.4 6/1/15 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Page 3 of 9

7 Existing sites achieving 90 points will be recognized as Pioneers during the 2015 and 2016 Launch Period. During the Launch Period, Pioneer Certified sites will be able to continue to implement new measures and build their achievements towards tiered certification recognition starting in New Construction New construction seeking certification must achieve at least 110 points with a minimum of 20 points in each of the Management, Programming, and Technology and Structure Design categories. New garages achieving 110 to 134 certification points are recognized at the Bronze Level, those demonstrating between 135 and 159 points earn the Silver distinction, and exemplary performers reaching at least 160 points are recognized as Gold Certified Garages. New structures may be granted time to demonstrate operational performance while also being recognized for structural and technical achievement. A determination on this will take place as experience warrants during the Launch Period. 5. Green Garage Certification Toolbox Green Garage Certification Owner Checklist: A one-page checklist to help garage developers, owners and managers evaluate a planned or existing facility s certification performance. Download at Green Garage Certification Standard: The 195-page book defines the performance measures and documentation requirements of the program and is available for purchase in both hard copy and ebook formats at Green Garage Certification Program Guide: Regularly updated, this tool contains information about application procedures and program requirements, and includes a breakdown of criteria by certification level. Download the latest version for free at prior to applying for certification. Site Submission Package: Consisting of (a) a documentation worksheet and (b) a documentation submission package, the current package is received when a site is formally registered for certification. These documents allow applicants to identify the number of Certification points they are seeking and compile their supporting documentation. The submission package serves as the submission document for Certification. v1.4 6/1/15 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Page 4 of 9

8 6. Eligibility A. Project Definition / Program Requirements 6.1 Parking Garage: A structure designed for the primary purpose of storing vehicles, including multi-story stand-alone garages as well as mixed-use structures with a minimum of one supported level above or below grade. Both existing buildings and new construction are eligible for certification. All facilities that participated in the Green Garage Certification Beta or the GPC Demonstrator Site Program are eligible for certification. 6.2 Parking Garage Certification Project Boundary: a. The boundary shall be defined by the applicant at the time of submission for certification and fixed for purposes of the entire certification process. This boundary shall be consistent across all application, certification, and review processes. The project boundary should be determined based on the land parcel, ownership and management, and garage programs and operations. b. This boundary shall be reasonable, and must include the parking garage submitted for certification. It may include any immediately contiguous structure or property of the same ownership as the parking garage. (Structures or properties of a different ownership than the garage may be included upon accepted documentation of providing support for parking operations.) c. Typically the boundary shall be the site and building footprint/land parcel, including all parking operations for that garage/property. Further, typically the garage will take up the majority of the parcel. Ancillary surface parking to the garage should be included in the project boundary if this surface parking is under the same ownership and management of the garage, and an essential part of the parking operations for the site. This surface parking may contribute to the certification of the garage. For example, car sharing spaces may be reserved and located in this surface parking area. d. The project boundary must include the entire parking garage. No level or specific parking related area may be excluded from the certification. e. GPC reserves the right to request a narrative defining the intent of the project boundary and the reasons for its selection, as well as the right to deny certification to projects that the GPC determines do not adhere to these guidelines. B. Length of time certified 3 years from the date of certification award. v1.4 6/1/15 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Page 5 of 9

9 C. Costs $250 Registration Fee $6500 Certification Fee (2014 rate) Certification fee Includes: Processing costs Third party validation of applicant submission Plaque Web listing Media kit 7. Application Process A. Review the Green Garage Certification Owner Checklist Green Garage Certification begins with thinking about how a facility interacts with its surroundings, customers, employees and the ecosystem of cars, trains, bikes and other mobility forms around it. The Green Garage Certification Owner Checklist (available at ) helps an owner or designer assess sustainability opportunities within an existing or planned facility. Green Garage Certification is designed with flexibility in mind; the checklist helps identify approaches which make sense for a specific facility. B. Review the Green Garage Certification Standard To proceed with Green Garage Certification review the Green Garage Certification Standard, available for purchase in traditional and ebook formats at Conduct a preliminary evaluation of the parking facility using this document and make the decision to enter into the certification process. C. Register Parking Facility for Certification Begin the formal certification process by registering the facility at The facility will be evaluated based on the version of the Certification Standard that is current upon the application date. A $250 fee is required at the time of registration. The application and the proposed site boundary will be reviewed and, if it meets the program requirements, Green Parking Council will begin a file for your facility and be available to help you along in the process. Within 15 days, the applicant will receive a v1.4 6/1/15 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Page 6 of 9

10 registration number and the latest documentation updates. The date of this response will be the Effective Start Date for the site certification process. Sites have two years from the Effective Start Date to complete a submission. After two years, sites must begin the registration process anew. D. Work with GPC trained Green Garage Certification Assessor or Other Knowledgeable Individual to Prepare the Site Submission Package GPC staff is available to help educate you on the process and program materials, but may not offer advice or assistance to the applicant. The assistance of a parking consultant, a trained Green Garage Certification Assessor, or a knowledgeable in-house person to prepare the documentation and materials is advisable. E. Submit Site Submission Package A Site Submission Package includes: Registration Number Completed Documentation Submission Package Completed Documentation Worksheet Submission Payment Submit the Site Submission package online at GPC reviews the Site Submission Package to ensure that all of the required files have been included and then forwards the package to an independent third party. F. Independent Party Review An independent, third party Reviewer evaluates the Site Submission Package for conformance with standards, verifies points awarded in each measure (or makes adjustments if the documentation does not support the points) and determines whether the site qualifies for GPC Certification. Within 90 days, the Reviewer provides a written statement of findings of the evaluation to GPC and GPC forwards to the applicant. This statement will include clarifications for any measures for which a deviation exists between the applicant s requested point value and the Reviewer s determination of the point value. The applicant has 30 days in which to select one of the following options: (1) Accept the third party review and any associated adjustments in points if there are any. If this option is chosen, the formal recognition of certification or rejection will take place within 60 days. v1.4 6/1/15 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Page 7 of 9

11 (2) Indicate that supplementary documentation to refute the scoring deviation(s) will be forthcoming. The applicant will have an additional 60 days to provide the supplementary documentation for the Reviewer. (3) Pause the certification process so that applicant can make upgrades/changes to the parking garage or parking operations. If this option is chosen, the applicant must resubmit the Site Submission Package with the modified information within 24 months from the Effective Start Date for the application to remain open. (4) Initiate a formal appeal to an appeals panel. This action may incur additional fees for the applicant. If the applicant elects to pursue an appeal, they will be notified in writing within 60 days of the timing and fees for the appeals process. Applicants can submit or resubmit a Site Submission package a maximum of three times and all submissions must take place within 24 months from the Effective Start Date of the application. If, after the third submission, the applicant does not accept the evaluated score, then the site file will be closed. The applicant can re-apply for consideration after a six month waiting period. G. GPC issues Formal Decision GPC officially recognizes the results from the evaluation process and issues an official score to the applicant. If applicant is recognized with a certification level, GPC will order a plaque, provide the applicant with a media kit and add the site to the list of official Certified Green Garages. 8. Resources A. GPC Staff Paul Wessel, Executive Director paul@greenparkingcouncil.org desk Trevyr Meade, Program Manager trevyr@greenparkingcouncil.org Green Parking Council 55 Church Street - 7th floor New Haven, CT v1.4 6/1/15 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Page 8 of 9

12 An Affiliate of the International Parking Institute B. GPC Trained Green Garage Assessors List available at C. Online Updates Included in Program Guide Version 1.4 Section 4: Updated to include Pioneer designation Updates Included in Program Guide Version 1.3 Section 7B: link updated Section 7C: link updated v1.4 6/1/15 Green Garage Certification Program Guide Page 9 of 9