Downtown Boise Tower Goes For Platinum Green Rating

Gary Christensen, developer of the recently completed Banner Bank Building in downtown Boise, Idaho, expects the project to receive a Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Award later this month from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The 11-story building, which features such as a greywater reclamation system, sunlight reflecting white roof, and computerized lighting system, is aiming for the Council’s highest certification. Only 18 buildings in the world have been awarded a platinum rating this far.

"Christensen said he was able to construct the environmentally friendly Banner Bank Building at 10th and Bannock streets for about $20 million, which is around the cost of construction for a standard building.

'People talk about it costing more to build a green building, but they are just not pushing more to find the cost savings,' Christensen said."