Article originally published in Columbus Underground by Walker Evans
After over a decade in development, and a completion not quite in sight, Grandview Yard recently celebrated a major achievement during its progress. The 125-acre site was recognized by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) with the regional “LEED Green Building Legacy Award” while also recognizing it as the largest LEED Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) site in the nation.
“In the 25 years that we have been developing this area — including both the Arena District and Grandview Yard — I think we’re seeing an increasing sensitivity to sustainability,” explained Brian Ellis, President and COO of NRI. “To really make a difference with climate change, we’ve got to look at things that are broader than just a building here and a building there.”
Formerly home to an abandoned logistics center for the now-defunct Big Bear grocery chain, the Grandview Yard development represents 125 acres of land across the cities of Grandview Heights and Columbus. The infill plan completed thus far includes 1.4 million square feet of commercial office and retail space, community green spaces and 1,500 residences — with more in the pipeline.
The USGBC’s LEED-ND designation was officially launched in 2009, and Ellis said that their plans for Grandview Yard were an easy fit.
“We had been doing LEED certified buildings, so we were familiar with the program,” he stated. “We didn’t really have to change much to apply. Putting a few bike racks here instead of there — a few things like that, which all fit within good practices. But really, the act of redeveloping and infilling a blighted site is the most significant thing we did from a sustainability standpoint.”
