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Courtesy of Columbia Residential

Leed Certification
Sustainable Sites

Columbia Parc at the Bayou

Client:

Columbia Residential

Location:

New Orleans, LA

LEED Consultant:

Chip Henderson

Builder:

BBL Builders

Architect:

James, Harwick + Partners, Inc.

Green Rater:

Geoffrey Zawacki

Project Goal:

While there is much work ahead in New Orleans, Columbia Residential, The Bayou District Foundation, and The Housing Authority of New Orleans take pride in helping to rebuild a great neighborhood; Gentilly. This historic neighborhood is a racially diverse section of New Orleans developed on a long stretch of high ground known as Gentilly Ridge. Apart from the natural high ground along Gentilly Ridge this neighborhood was badly damaged when the London Avenue Canal floodwalls were breached in two places by Katrina's storm surge, flooding most of the area. "Being part of the rebuilding of an important New Orleans neighborhood following hurricane Katrina has been a privilege for Columbia Residential and we are humbled by the trust put in us to undertake this. The entire nation is watching with interest the progress towards rebuilding that great city." Noel Khalil, Chirman / CEO

Solution:

Columbia Parc at the Bayou District is the largest, and to date the most advanced, neighborhood redevelopment effort in New Orleans since Katrina. Long before the official groundbreaking in December 2008, and continuing through current and future expansion phases, a group of architects, builders, community leaders, construction managers, designers, developers, engineers, lenders, and supporters became unified in their passion to help realize the promise of Columbia Parc; the promise of living well.

The root of living well begins with a healthy environment (indoors and out). “We’ve conscientiously gone the extra mile in designing and constructing our community to help our residents’ live healthy lives and minimize our impact on the world around us through smarter, eco-friendly solutions. Our green initiative included achieving LEED for Homes Silver Certification so residents can enjoy lower energy and water bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and fewer mold, mildew and indoor toxin problems” James S. Grauley, President and COO. By the end of 2010, 466 new classically-inspired, LEED-Silver Certified sustainable homes for a mix of income levels will have been built, with additional phases starting construction. Fully two thirds of the new homes are affordable to low income families, with priority given on the most-affordable to seniors and disabled returning residents. According to Robert Barfield, project manager, “response to the new community, at all income levels, has exceeded our expectations, leading to acceleration of subsequent phases and attraction of more investment and partners.” The current development is just the first phase of a holistic community redevelopment effort that will eventually include (on site or in surrounding neighborhood) up to 1,300 new homes, a new 0-12 educational campus, retail and community services, as well as recreational and green space amenities. While significant progress has been made, the project team expects most of the build-out to be completed by the 10-year anniversary of Katrina.

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