Franklin Property Receives LEED Certification

"River Crossing's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," says Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of USGBC. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and River Crossing serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish."

According to Franklin executives, to receive the LEED-EB: O&M certification a building must address five major areas; those include sustainable site maintenance, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

To outfit the existing building, Franklin called on the expertise of Gibraltar Properties and Urban Design. Together they upgraded the complex's plumbing fixtures and water efficiency. The tenants have also begun a major recycling campaign that is reusing more than 70% of all ongoing consumables from waste to green programs instead.

Franklin's portfolio of 44 properties is undergoing a "greening" process. Executives say, "We believe that investing in environmentally sound practices is good business and will enhance the value of our portfolio. Our goal is to get as many of our properties LEED certified as possible by starting with changes that require no cost or low cost or that have the potential to create savings in energy usage and other costs."

Already, 14 properties have been given the Energy Star designation, three are LEED certified under the existing buildings rating and one is LEED certified under the commercial interiors rating. Franklin is based in Wakefield, MA and focuses mainly on suburban office buildings.