Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2

Inquiry

The intent of this credit is to channel development to urban areas with existing infrastructure, protect greenfields and preserve habitat and natural resources. Also, under LEED-NC Version 2.2, the intent of this credit is to foster community connectivity. We propose that the new Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center (IHMEC) meets the intent of this credit including fostering community connectivity even though the area development density of the site itself does not meet the 60,000 sf/acre criteria established under LEED-NC Version 2.1. The reasons are: 1. The development density of the nearby community (based on the IHMEC\'s calculated density radius of 1,202 feet) is 274,058 sqft/acre, which greatly exceeds the 60,000 sf/acre criteria established under LEED-NC Versions 2.1 & 2.2. 2. The total development density-the combination of the nearby community and the IHMEC site--is 192,127 sf/acre--still greatly exceeding the 60,000sf/acre criteria. (The development density of the IHMEC site alone is 18,247 sf/acre due to the site area needed for features that are part of the Museum displays and the parking required for the Museum visitors.) 3. The IHMEC is a museum, which is defined by LEED as one of the basic services necessary to build community connectivity. The very nature of the IHMEC will enable it to connect to the surrounding community, and enable other facilities and residents to connect to the community. Essentially, the IHMEC assists other facilities in achieving community connectivity by providing a basic service to the surrounding community and the region. As such, basic service facilities, such as the IHMEC, are of such value that they should receive a partial exemption of the need to qualify for the 60,000 sf/acre criteria for the site itself as long as they are located in an area that achieves sufficient development density for credit qualification. The IHMEC Project Team believes that this project meets the intent of this credit by being in a development area that greatly exceeds the 60,000 sf/acre criteria and by providing a basic service that connects the community. Please let us know if this meets the requirements of SS Credit 2.