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Port of San Diego’s First “Green” Building Opens December 18

Thursday, 16 December 2010

The Port of San Diego's first "green" building, an event center and cruise terminal called the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, is set to open on Saturday, December 18, 2010. It is located along the North Embarcadero in downtown San Diego.

A public open house will be held at the pavilion from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 18, 2010, allowing the community to become familiar with the region's newest "green" building.

The pavilion, a modern, 52,000-square-foot two-story building, was designed and built to minimize its impact on the environment.

It is the first building constructed by the Port designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. The facility is under review by the U.S. Green Building Council to receive LEED green building certification and may become the first LEED-certified cruise ship terminal in the nation.

"Constructing a green facility demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability and, through various efficiency measures, a commitment to long term economic prosperity," said Robert "Dukie" Valderrama, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.

Incorporated into the building design are energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality protection and occupant comfort.

Features that will minimize energy consumption are:

• An air conditioning system that relies on features that regulate the building's temperature naturally, including extra insulation, windows designed to keep heat out and let light in, large fans, and natural ventilation.
• Automated daylight controls that turn off when they are not needed.
• Efficient light fixtures.
• A solar panel system.
• Efficient water fixtures.
• Low emitting paints, adhesives, carpet and wood to reduce indoor air quality contaminants.
• Building materials made of recycled content.
• Wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an organization that promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests.
• More than 7,550 square feet of window area that allows occupants to enjoy a connection between the building's indoor spaces and the outdoors.

Because the pavilion exceeds State energy standards by more than 20 percent, due to the efficiency measures built into the facility, the Port will receive a check from San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) for $27,850. The funds are provided by the company's Sustainable Communities Program, an incentive plan that promotes energy efficiency.

To offset the building's energy demand, San Diego-based Sullivan Solar Power installed two 30-kilowatt solar panel systems on the sawtooth-shaped rooftop of the pavilion. It is estimated the systems will offset the facility's energy use by nearly 30 percent.

One of the solar panel systems was installed for the Port with funding provided by the Port's Environmental Fund. This system provides energy directly to the pavilion. It is estimated the Port will save more than $5,000 in utility costs during its first year of operation.

The second solar panel system was installed for SDG&E's Sustainable Communities Program. The energy generated by this solar panel system supplies energy back to the SDG&E grid, providing the community with an ongoing supply of clean energy.

Jaynes Corporation, located in seven west and southwestern states, built the pavilion. Jaynes recycled more than 90 percent of the waste generated from the construction of the pavilion, diverting the materials from landfills.

Another important environmental component of the facility is the shore power connection installed at the north side of the pier. This enables a cruise ship to turn off its diesel engines while in port and plug into the power supply from shore, resulting in a significant reduction in harmful air emissions.

Holland America's 1,400-passenger ms Rotterdam will be the first cruise ship to dock at the Port Pavilion at Broadway Pier when it berths there on December 22, 2010.

The pavilion was designed by Bermello Ajamil & Partners, a leading design and architectural firm with offices in California, Florida and New York.

The $28 million pavilion will serve as an auxiliary facility to the Port's main B Street Cruise Ship Terminal and as a model structure from which the community can learn about sustainability.

Construction of the pavilion is a milestone within the Green Port Program. The program unifies the Port's goals to "go green" in six key areas: water, energy, air, waste management, sustainable development, and sustainable business practices.