Developers would receive incentives for making buildings in downtown San Diego more environmentally sustainable under a "Centre City Green" program announced today by Mayor Jerry Sanders.
The program, being developed by the Centre City Development Corp., San Diego's downtown redevelopment arm, seeks to promote water conservation, energy innovation and clean technology in new and existing buildings.
Proposed incentives include increased building density, faster permitting, development code variances, support of "green team" specialists and public recognition, according to the CCDC.
"We want to reward those developers who exceed California green building standards and to build in flexibility so that `green' solutions can be customized for different types of buildings ranging from hotels to condos to offices," Sanders said.
The program also includes an effort to put energy-efficient lighting in buildings, streets and sidewalks throughout downtown, paid for in part through a $100,000 donation from San Diego Gas & Electric.
The announcement, coinciding with Earth Day, was made outside a new, 24-story luxury apartment tower slated to be the first LEED Silver-certified residential high-rise in the city of San Diego. Sanders was joined by Councilman Kevin Faulconer and CCDC Chairman Fred Maas.
