| Status | Strategy | Summary | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Stage | 6.3.1 | Require that all new publicly owned buildings greater than 10,000 square feet achieve a minimum of LEED Silver Certification. |
It is possible to have a green standard of building, but just not require the certification because it is cost prohibitive. |
| Completed | 6.3.2 | Conduct energy audits on publicly owned buildings and rate their efficiency. |
With the assistance of funds from the Department of Energy grant, the Office of Sustainability conducted energy audits on two Public Buildings, Shelby Farms Visitor’s Center and Memphis and Shelby County Code Enforcement (read about it here). The City of Memphis is working with Memphis Bioworks Foundation and Siemens to coordinate future audits and improvements, while the Office of Sustainability is working with the Shelby County Division of Public Works to coordinate audits and improvements at County facilities. |
| Completed | 6.3.3 | Conduct a comrehensive review of existing assets and anticipated future needs for new Public Buildings for the next 25 years and develop a strategic method for selecing future project sites. |
Shelby County Government has a database of Public Buildings and a policy to determine if those can be reused. Every CIP project for renovation is required to compare the cost of reusing vs. new construction. One county building recently renovated is 157 Poplar Ave where the Trustee's Office and the Jury Pool are located. Read more about how renovating this building saved $5.3 million. |
| Initial Stage | 6.3.4 | Create a database of all existing Public Buildings, create a policy for determining if an existing building can be reused or expanded in lieu of new construction, look for vacant or underutilized privately-owned buildings to purchase in the vicinity of the proposed project, and consider the availability of existing underutilized or vacant buildings before any decision to undertake a new construction project is finalized. |
Shelby County Government has a database of Public Buildings and a policy to determine if those can be reused. Every CIP project for renovation is required to compare the cost of reusing vs. new construction. One county building recently renovated is 157 Poplar Ave where the Trustee's Office and the Jury Pool are located. Read more here about how renovating this building saved $5.3 million. |
| Initial Stage | 6.3.5 | Hold public meetings at the start of the schematic design phase for each new public building or capital project, investigate the potential negative impacts, and suggest possible mitigation strategies. |
The building design presentation before the Shelby County Commission is public, but not during the design phase. For the City of Memphis, this is handled in-house by the City Engineer. |
John Zeanah, AICP, Director
Nidia Logan-Robinson, MPA, Deputy Director
develop901@memphistn.gov
Downtown Office
125 N Main St #477
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 636-7384
(901) 636-6601
Hours: M-F, 8 AM - 5 PM
Department of Housing
6465 Mullins Station Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 222-7600
Hours: M-F, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Construction Enforcement Office
6465 Mullins Station Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 222-8300
Hours: M-F, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
