JetBlue Park, which opened this year as the spring home of the Boston Red Sox, has received LEED certification from the Green Building Certification Institute.
The certification came as a result of decisions made early in the design process of the facility by the long-standing public-private partnership between Lee County and the Boston Red Sox to demonstrate leadership, innovation, environmental stewardship, social responsibility and a focus on reducing operating costs.
“Together with the Red Sox and an extensive project team, achieving LEED certification of JetBlue Park allows us to reduce operating costs, lower environmental impacts, educate visitors about the benefits of sustainable design, and remind the world that Lee County is a great place to be,” said Lee County Sustainability Manager Tessa LeSage. “It’s a win-win.”
Energy and water use played a key role in achieving LEED certification. JetBlue Park was designed to reduce life-cycle costs by reducing energy use by approximately 26 percent of that of a traditionally designed ballpark. It is estimated this will save more than $83,000 in annual operating costs. With an estimated reduction in water use of approximately 1.7 million gallons per year compared to a similar traditionally designed building, Lee County expects to save nearly $18,000 annually in water/sewer costs. TLC Engineering for Architecture provided the engineering design, energy modeling and LEED support for the mechanical and electrical systems.
The Red Sox have also identified innovative ways to promote alternative transportation to the park. Plans to increase bicycling to the games include creating additional bicycle storage and allowing fans who ride their bikes to park for free. JetBlue Park has 68 parking spaces in permanent bike racks and has additional temporary parking for bicycles during Spring Training.
“As we worked with Lee County on the creation of JetBlue Park at Fenway South, we knew environmental sustainability would be an important component of its design and construction,” said Boston Red Sox EVP/Business Affairs Jonathan Gilula. “The decision to enhance the environmental attributes of the complex is one born out of a sense of civic responsibility and professional duty. As so many are doing in Florida, New England and around the world, we will continue to look for effective ways to protect the environment in a cost-competitive way.”
The complex was designed by Populous and Parker/Mudgett/Smith Architects of Fort Myers.
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