More than 40 students from three area high schools received an education in sustainability, and made a pledge to protect the environment in return, as WS Development hosted a special "green" event at the site of its upcoming Legacy Place mixed-use complex here. The 675,000 s/f center will open in summer 2009.
Experts from WS Development, Legacy Place anchors Whole Foods Market and L.L.Bean, lead architect Prellwitz Chilinski Associates (PCA), and design consultant Blue Wave Strategies discussed sustainability initiatives being employed at Legacy Place with students from Dedham High School, Westwood High School and Brookfield Academy. After an overview and question-and-answer session, the students were brought outdoors for a tour of the "green" efforts at the site led by general contractor Suffolk Construction.
Students learned about Legacy Place's sustainable efforts, including: the use of underground storage tanks to collect rainwater for irrigation; erosion and sedimentation control; innovative wastewater technologies; recycling and reuse of materials; the planting of more than 5,000 new trees and shrubs; use of regional materials; and transportation initiatives such as public transit access, bicycle storage and shared parking.
"WS Development has always tried to work with our community and our environment on every development," said Sheri Frim AIA, director of graphic communications of WS Development. "Legacy Place, however, takes this to a whole new level. We're using state-of-the-art techniques and technologies to conserve energy and water, and many of our tenants, such as Whole Foods and L.L. Bean, are doing the same. We're excited to involve our schools in this commitment, too."
In return, the students were challenged to go back to their schools and submit new energy-saving ideas for Legacy Place to a special WS Development web site. In January, officials from WS Development, Suffolk Construction, Whole Foods Market and L.L.Bean will select the best idea, and WS will award the winning entry $1,000, for the implementation of an energy-saving initiative at the school.
Speakers were WS Development's Sheri Frim; Stephanie Pollack Esq., partner, Blue Wave Strategies; Kathleen Loftus, global leader of sustainable engineering, maintenance and energy management, Whole Foods Market; L.L.Bean architect Mare Weiss LEED AP, associate, Bergmeyer Associates; and Legacy Place architect Mark Eclipse AIA, associate, PCA.
The open-air Legacy Place, a joint venture of WS Development and National Amusements, is already 95% leased, with tenants such as P.F. Chang's, Border's, Kings Bowling & Billiards and a 15-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux.