LEED Debuts in Mixed-Use

A large, undeveloped parcel of land along the U.S. and Mexico border (adjacent to the Zaragoza Port of Entry) will become home to a mixed-use campus featuring approximately 2.1 million sq. ft. of retail, commercial and distribution facilities that will open in phases. Developed by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Five Star Development Group, the project is registered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, which if successfully certified will make it the largest LEED-certified mixed-use campus in the country.

Phase 1 will be an approximately 500,000-sq.-ft., high-efficiency (HE) cross-dock distribution facility with occupancy slated for second quarter 2008. Completion for all phases is expected to be two years.

Among the green building practices to be implemented in the project are HE fluorescent T-5 lighting with a motion sensor activation system, electric-generating roof solar components and electric-generating windmills. “Our end goal is to have our tenants’ operational costs lower than any other facility in the country while at the same time being able to offer features that exceed Class-A standards,” said Jerry Ayoub, president of Five Star Development.