Michael Emilio

From Miami Today News:

If you’re going to build big in Miami, build green or don’t build at all, Mayor Manny Diaz says.

New buildings of about 50,000 square feet or more would be required to be Leadership in Energy Efficient Design-certified if the city commission approves the mayor’s proposal in May when they review the first phase of Miami 21, the city’s blueprint for growth.

“There may be some initial “Oh my God, what is this?” Mr. Diaz said. “But I think we’ll get over it quickly.”

The response of builders has been “so-far so-good,” he said. “I think they’re all realizing that this is the wave of the future.”

Developers would be offered density incentives to build green, Mayor Diaz said, which could help soften the blow of higher associated costs.

LEED projects are designed to cost less in operation and maintenance, Mr. Diaz said.About $1 billion in green projects are “on the table, on the way to build-out” in Miami, Mr. Diaz said. He said he will take several green-related resolutions to the commission April 12 — including one calling for a two- to four-person office to coordinate the city’s greening efforts.

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