Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Schools

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.2, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

There are no local zoning open space requirements within New York City (exclusive of minimum rear and side yard distances, which are far exceeded in the case of this project). The Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) has created a master plan that, we believe, meets the intent of this credit. In relation to the dense urban context of Manhattan, the BPCA has limited the overall development area of Battery Park in order to provide substantial public park space. In fact, the Master Plan was modified to reduce the original footprint of this building so that open space between 20 River Terrace and adjacent buildings could be increased sufficiently to allow the development of Tear Drop Park. The 18A building site itself is almost entirely occupied by the building; however, this is specifically because BPCA has reserved the adjacent areas for open space purposes. The overall neighborhood has therefore been designed to include a high ratio of open planted spaces (the specific percentage of open area will be calculated and included with the LEED submission).\n\nBy husbanding all non-developed areas for the assemblage of one larger park (rather than disjointed smaller areas as part of four individual buildings) Battery Park City Authority has created an area sufficient to provide a natural area and promote biodiversity. The individual owners of the buildings, including River Terrace Associates, ensure that open space will be conserved for the life of the building by paying the cost of maintenance of the open space.\n\nWe believe that this physical configuration and financial participation meets the intent of this credit.\n \n1/18/2002 - Ruling