Commercial Development

A local developer is working with Melotte Morse Leonatti Parker, Ltd. (MMLP) to establish Springfield's first Green Business Park. The project is in the first stages of design, establishing site use, massing and solar orientation. Four building shells have been designed for flexible floor plans, and the buildings fill the allowed area/parking ratio for the site. It is planned to have a common geothermal field of bore holes (sometimes called wells). As each building is completed, they simply tap into the supply of the thermal fluid in the geothermal field and install their own interior distribution systems. Since the underground portion requires essentially no maintenance, each tenant pays its proportionate share of the installation cost and then keeps the energy savings as long as they are there. Also planned are whole building ventilation systems, efficient lighting, and controls and solar shading. Although each building may be different depending on the use, tenants will be encouraged to consider lighting controls and daylighting. There will be a central recycling area. Site development will be designed to meet the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Standards as will buildings built by the developer.