Nationals Park Now Home to Greenspace, the Region’s New Green Learning and Resource Hub

Greenspace Partners Celebrate a Unified Commitment to Bring Green Real Estate and Economic Development to the Metropolitan Area

WASHINGTON, DC – June 30, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Executives from the private, public and nonprofit sector today joined Events DC (Washington Convention and Sports Authority) and Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) for the launch of Greenspace, NCR, the District’s first green learning and resource center located at Nationals Park in the Capital Riverfront neighborhood. During the event, Greenspace unveiled its plans for a $2 million, 12,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility designed to meet the LEED platinum standard of the U.S. Green Building Council. Leveraging an exceptional network of partnerships, Greenspace intends to build the skills, knowledge and capacity of professionals, policymakers and the public to create ground breaking green communities across the region.

“While the design of Greenspace leverages teachable moments, our programs are designed to fuel a robust green marketplace that supports high performance building, site and community infrastructure projects with a plentiful supply of qualified green service providers and product distributors,” said Patty Rose, executive director, Greenspace. “Our programs in education, research, partnership and policy engagement will incorporate trainings, interactive exhibits, Dr. Green technical assistance and research that will demonstrate practical, affordable, and sustainable solutions for all project types.”

Designed by world renowned Gensler, Greenspace will serve as a living classroom for understanding and impacting green communities while also demonstrating a sustainable approach to leased space that can be used with greater cost effectiveness and less impact on the environment. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2011. “From the passing of the District’s Green Building Act in 2006, to the establishment of the D.C. Green Communities Initiative in 2007, Enterprise is excited to continue its long standing partnership with Greenspace as we work to expand our efforts beyond the creation of green housing to growing green communities across the region” said David Bowers, vice president and Washington, D.C. market leader, Enterprise. “Greenspace will deliver programs and foster initiatives that catalyze a revolutionary change in building development practices and policies.”

“I am thrilled about the launch of this extraordinary effort,” says Christophe A.G. Tulou, director of the District Department of the Environment. “Not only will Greenspace advance our goals of building a vibrant green community and sustainable economy in the District, but equally important, it will serve as a place for residents and businesses to gather and learn how to put theory into practice to improve their community.”

Greenspace has been brought to fruition by a core group of funders who share a commitment in building green and sustainable developments. Each member of the development team, Gensler, Turner Construction, GHT, LTD, 2rw and Catholic University donated a portion of their services to the design and construction of the development. Additional support was provided by Enterprise Community Partners, Washington Gas, Capstone Turbine, the Cafritz and Prince Charitable Trust Foundation, Excel and Sloan Valve, Akridge, Community Foundation for the National Capital Region and Nixon Peabody. Greenspace has raised $1.4 million in cash and in-kind contributions and will seek the additional $600,000 needed to complete the project from national and regional leaders committed to sustainability for real estate and economic development.

“Greenspace has already contributed much to the District in terms of helping to shape its green building and development practices. I believe that the new learning and resource center will allow Greenspace to reach an even broader segment of the District and the region, and I look forward to seeing more green practices implemented throughout the city” said Ward 3 Councilmember Mary M. Cheh.

“Partnership is essential to advancing the region’s green agenda – no single person, organization, agency or government can single-handedly develop the paths necessary to support the development of green jobs, buildings, and communities. Greenspace will continue to engage strategic stakeholders in the community to produce the network of relationships, collaborations and resources that will serve as the foundation for the region’s sustainable future,” said Rose.

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Greenspace, NCR, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the development of green buildings and sustainable sites, to generate green businesses and jobs and to grow vibrant green communities throughout the National Capital Region. Through Greenspace’s green learning and resource center, programs, and innovative partnerships we build the skills, knowledge and capacity of professionals, policymakers and the public. Our success is measured by the degree to which environmental resilience is embedded in the region’s development practices, the crafting and implementation of policy, and the growing strength of our economy. Visit www.greenspacencr.org to learn more about Greenspace’s efforts to grow green communities through high performance real estate and economic development.

Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For nearly 30 years, Enterprise has introduced neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested more than $11 billion in equity, grants and loans to help build or preserve more than 280,000 affordable rental and for-sale homes to create vital communities. Visit www.enterprisecommunity.org and www.enterprisecommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise’s efforts to build communities and opportunity.

Contact:
Heather M. Raspberry
Enterprise Community Partners
443.472.2352 – cell