After the mall was torn down in 2010, the nine acre site was redeveloped into a park that includes a 3.7 acre green roof over the existing underground parking garage, which was kept operational throughout demolition and construction.

ms consultants was part of the project team responsible for the mall demolition and the construction of the park and pavilion, providing electrical engineering for Columbus Commons. ms designed the park electrical plans, which include park lighting, pavilion power and wiring, and power for seasonal lighting, restrooms, and concession facilities.

The pavilion will become the focal point for the park, hosting live events and concerts. The entire park has been wired for sound, video and lighting, with a control rack located backstage of the pavilion and a control station located front-of-house. Designed wiring and controls include theatrical sound and lighting for the pavilion canopy as well as accent lighting.

Mike Morelli, the lead ms electrical engineer for this project, elected to install conduits inside the green roof long before the decision to create the pavilion was finalized. The conduits allowed the electrical team to adapt to meet the needs of the overall park space and green roof project site, and gave them greater flexibility during final design.

What’s Next for Columbus Commons?

The grand opening of the Bicentennial Pavilion does not mark the end of the Columbus Commons development. In April, it was announced that Atlanta-based developer Carter is buying two acres of the park along High Street for $2 million from the Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. The developer plans to invest a total of $50 million to construct two six-story buildings with 300 apartments and 23,000 square feet of first-floor retail space.

The project should be completed by January 2014, and other parcels on the edge of the park will also eventually be developed.

For more information about the Bicentennial Pavilion grand opening or other events at Columbus Commons, visit http://columbuscommons.org/.

Discussing the issue of LEED buildings with The Dispatch, Mr. Christoff noted that “LEED buildings are becoming more popular…The idea is to educate and allow everyone to understand the process because what hinders it is ignorance — people don’t understand the benefits and reasons to do it.” While he estimated the average cost increase to a project to meet LEED requirements is approximately 5 percent, he stressed that most projects make that money back in less than seven years. “The benefits are reduced utility costs and a better working environment that increases productivity. Absenteeism goes down, and property values and rental rates go up.”

Mr. Elizondo commented on the 125,000 s.f. pending LEED certified Watson and Tressel Training Site at Youngstown State University. “By using carefully designed ventilation and lighting systems, ms expects a reduction in energy consumption by 22 percent and water use by 44 percent compared with more-traditional systems.”

Youngstown State's Watson and Tressel Training Site.

During the Design Columbus 2012 Trade Show, Mr. Christoff and Mr. Elizondo were joined by fellow ms employees, Melissa Berardi, LEED AP BD+C, and Daniel Barringer, LEED AP ID+C, in their presentation entitled, “Open Letter to My Owner, With Love, Your LEED AP.” The presentation discussed the lessons ms professionals have learned working on LEED projects and presented key information for owners’ consideration. More than 50 industry professionals attended to learn about:

• The owners’ motivation to go LEED;
• Formulating the project strategy for success including costs, owners’ engagement in developing a LEED project;
• What the expectations of energy efficiency are under LEED;
• The owners’ role in recycling, willingness of the owner to be the enforcer; and
• Thinking about public outreach and education.

Eric Elizondo presenting at Design Columbus 2012. Photo courtesy of Feinknopf.

Other companies and firms in Ohio are getting the message on the importance of LEED. In fact, Ohio was 12th in the nation in 2011 with the certification of 13.2 million square feet of LEED-certified building space, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.

Jason Christoff presenting at Design Columbus 2012. Photo courtesy of Fulcrum.

Have you had much personal experience with LEED certified buildings in Ohio? We’d love to hear your story! And our sincere thanks to everyone working towards sustainability on a personal and professional level. You make Ohio an even better place to live!

GreenSpot is a voluntary program promoting green and sustainable practices for businesses, households, and community groups. To be a member of GreenSpot, organizations pledge to strive for environmental stewardship excellence and report on a yearly basis on their successes and progress. In fulfilling our water conservation commitment to the GreenSpot program, ms consultants selected sustainable landscaping for its Columbus, Ohio, office.

Our objective was to create a unique, attractive landscape native to the area that would require minimal time and treatments for maintenance, and would survive the summer season without the use of an irrigation system. This in turn would reduce maintenance, excess water usage, and soil additives necessary for plant survival. To accomplish this objective, our landscape architect, Edward Ferguson, provided landscape architecture design and plant selection services.

Overall, we wanted to combine the elegance and color of a private garden with design aspects that complement corporate offices, while maintaining a low maintenance, sustainable design. One of those aspects is mass planting. Mass planting is done with specific plant species. It can promote a feeling of stability and relief in corporate and urban neighborhoods. ms consultants selected the following plants:

Variegated Liriope was used to create a massed ground cover bed that adds a beautiful striped carpet of color. It is known for its ability to survive in almost any condition, from full sun to full shade, from wet soil to extremely dry. It is also a fast grower which assists in eliminating weeds for the entire area. As the plants spreads, we will divide it and plant it again which will eliminate the chance for weeds to establish and reduce the need for herbicides.

Astilbe is another low maintenance plant that adds elegance with its plume-like flowers. They are one of the easiest flowers to grow but will be a welcome burst of color to a shade predominant area of the site.

Finally, two species of bamboo were selected to line the side walls of the main entry, giving a peaceful feeling as one walks towards the building. Our varieties were obtained from a local grower who has grown ten different bamboo species in Ohio since 1978. After the first stage of planting and some selective trimming, bamboo is virtually maintenance free. A very resilient plant, it is known for its quick growth and elegant, calming nature. The evergreen characteristic also gives the landscape a year-round interest that helps balance the design.

The end result from working with these carefully selected plants: a design that is visually pleasing, low maintenance, and environmentally friendly!

The report  estimates that many areas around the world are likely to see future increases in water shortages, polluted water, and floods. The report concludes that these events are likely to increase the possibility of conflict among nations within the next 10 years.

Additionally, the report indicates that between now and 2040, fresh water availability will not keep up with demand if water resources are not more efficiently managed. Currently, 2.5% of the world’s water is fresh water, of which approximately 70% is withdrawn for agricultural purposes. The report specifically indicates agriculture water management as an area of concern. “We judge that during the next 10 years the depletion of groundwater supplies in some agriculture area…will pose a risk to both national and global food markets.” Increased pressure from water scarcity is also likely to affect energy production and water quality, which can lead to a multitude of health and disease concerns.

Like many other natural resource issues, global availability of clean water is a problem that cannot be solved overnight. It will take many years of effort from our best and brightest researchers, scientists, and engineers. We all know the importance of water conservation in our daily lives, but we can help solve this problem another way: encourage our children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). ms consultants is proud to be part of this effort to interest youth in STEM careers by offering Engineer-for-a-Day programs to both high school and college students.

Interested in doing more to conserve water resources or encourage interest in STEM careers? Visit the United State Environmental Protection Agency’s online resource for water conservation or the STEM Education Coalition website.

To learn more about ms consultants’ advocacy of STEM education and careers, including our efforts in job shadowing and involvement with STEM advisory councils, please contact Monica Mosure at info@msconsultants.net.

Still under development, the Institute For Sustainable Infrastructure’s envision™ Rating System is being designed to provide a sustainability scorecard for horizontal infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, pipelines, railways, airports, dams, levees, solid waste landfills, water supplies, and other facilities in our cities, towns, and local communities.  The system assesses infrastructure projects from a 360 degree perspective using a triple bottom line approach, which considers economic, environmental, and social metrics.  Through this methodology, envision™ is able to measure how projects affect entire communities.

Pictured: The Columbus, Ohio, Gay Street Rain Garden helps collect storm water runoff and reduce its infiltration into storm sewers. The resulting green space in an urban area also adds aesthetic appeal.

So what does all that mean? The Institute For Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) gives the following example to demonstrate how its rating system ensures infrastructure sustainability differently than other existing sustainability measuring systems.

A new highway system can be designed to preserve wildlife corridors, treat and infiltrate stormwater runoff and be constructed using recycled materials, but unless infrastructure projects…integrate with and strengthen the infrastructure systems within a community, their overall contribution to community sustainability is diminished and may even be negative. In other words, regardless of how much recycled materials were used or the extent of the wildlife corridors preserved, a new highway system that creates more urban sprawl and results in the deterioration and abandonment of existing multi-modal mixed use urban centers should not be recognized as a contributor to sustainability.

Impacts to Projects and to Engineering
USGBC’s LEED-certification process has increased the awareness and desirability of green architecture, and the envision™ Rating System will likely have a similar impact on infrastructure engineering projects. In the future, project scopes will look more closely at the interaction between infrastructure and community, as well as sustainable construction solutions. Project funding may also begin to hinge on these elements, particularly as owners weigh short- and long-term costs against each other and the current economic conditions.

More to come in 2012 on the finalization of the envision™ Rating System

In support of our efforts to improve local communities and to ensure their sustainability for future generations, ms consultants is a charter member of the Institute For Sustainable Infrastructure. To learn more about ms consultants’ sustainable design experience or involvement with ISI, please contact Shawn Arden in our Columbus office.

To learn more about envision™ and ISI, please see below or visit the Institute For Sustainable Infrastructure website at sustainableinfrastructure.org/.

About the Institute For Sustainable Infrastructure
Founded in 2011 by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Institute For Sustainable Infrastructure is an independent non-profit organization formed to develop and administer a sustainability rating system for North American infrastructure.

ms consultants‘ presentation, DC-12 at 2:00-3:30 pm on April 16, describes what LEED APs desire their building owners to know about LEED certification, and the owner’s role in the certification process. Our crucial points will help the LEED application and certification go smoothly and be successful. These points are developed from ms’ experiences in certifying commercial and public projects throughout the Midwest. Topics include:

• The owners’ motivation to go LEED;
• Formulating the project strategy for success including costs, owners’ engagement in developing a LEED project;
• What the expectations of energy efficiency are under LEED;
• The owners’ role in recycling, willingness of the owner to be the enforcer; and
• Thinking about public outreach and education.

Building owners, LEED APs and everyone involved in LEED certification will gain from this presentation of ms consultants’ experiences.

Attendees will receive continuing education credits: AIA + GBCI LEED Specific BD+C/ID+C

Our presenters will be:

• Eric Elizondo, Architect, LEED AP BD+C - A member of the American Institute of Architects, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the US Green Building Council-Central Ohio Chapter. He has been a Registered Architect since 2001 and a LEED Accredited Professional since 2006. He was elected to serve on the first USGBC-COH Board of Directors, he currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Finance Committee for the US Green Building Council-Central Ohio Chapter, serves on the Board of Directors and is actively acquiring yearly sponsors for the Chapter.
• Melissa Berardi, LEED AP BD+C - Project Designer with 10 years of design and production in commercial and retail clients. To date, she has helped design over 550,000 square feet of LEED Registered and Certified space from Austin, Texas to Orlando, FL. Melissa is actively involved with the USGBC – Central Ohio Chapter, participating on the Finance committee.
• Jason Christoff, PE, LEED AP BD+C - With an emphasis on commercial/retail architecture and engineering services, Jason’s has more than 10 years experience in mechanical engineering and has developed a special interest in LEED, sustainable design and energy conservation. He is currently the project manager for a multi-unit retail banking rollout program with more than 30 LEED-certified and registered bank branches.
• Dan Barringer, Architect, LEED AP ID+C – With more than 17 years as an NCARB registered architect, Dan’s professional experience includes employment with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Ellerbe Beckett, SEH, URS and Làpiz Design where he developed his knowledge of sustainable design in architecture. Today, Dan works for ms consultants focusing on LEED commercial and public projects. He is actively involved with the USGBC – Central Ohio Chapter (Treasurer 2010-2011).

About Design Columbus 2012
Design Columbus 2012 will be held on April 16 at COSI in Columbus, Ohio, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. The educational seminars and trade show attract hundreds of professionals involved in the building industry. Attendees and participants include architects, designers, engineers, owners, developers, government officials, municipal planners, facility managers, contractors, construction managers, construction specifiers, manufacturers and product representatives.

For all attendees, the continuing education component includes opportunities for AIA and GBCI/ USGBC continuing education units (CEUs).

Registration and More Information
Please contact us at (614) 898-7100 for more information about this event or our presentation. To register for the event, visit http://designcolumbus2012-rss.eventbrite.com/.

Thank you to the NFL Network, Rich Eisen, and our own speed-challenged staff for participating.

To view the NFL’s video with ms consultants featured at the 25 second marker, visit Rich Eisen’s blog. To view ms consultants’ entire 40-yard dash video, visit our blog.

You can also view the video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/al68YGRag5Q

To learn more about NFL’s Scouting Combine promotion visit Rich Eisen’s blog at http://richeisen.nfl.com/2012/02/21/run-with-me/

Students are visiting our Columbus office already interested in various types of engineering specialties, including mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering. This year, we are also welcoming a student who has an interest in architectural design. The day-long program will provide these students with the opportunity to learn more about the engineering and architectural professions, in addition to learning more about different types of disciplines within the professions. Throughout the day, students will have a chance to shadow ms staff, including environmental engineers, transportation engineers, landscape architects and architects.

ms consultants welcomes these students during National Engineers Week, which runs February 19-25. The National Engineers Week’s theme this year is focused on estimated world population and the need for engineering solutions to solve world challenges: “7 billion people. 7 billion dreams. 7 billion chances for engineers to turn dreams into reality.” The National Engineers Week Foundation delivers programs and resources to partners of the program locally to help the next generation of talent overcome upcoming world challenges.

To learn more about National Engineers Week or the National Engineers Week Foundation, visit the National Engineers Week Foundation’s website. If interested in learning more about ms consultants’ Engineer for a Day program, please e-mail info@msconsultants.com.

In September 2007, the Ohio School Facilities Commission passed a resolution (Resolution 07-124) that requires all school construction projects not already in the design phase to meet at least LEED® Silver certification, with a goal of meeting LEED® Gold certification. This resolution has helped spur the construction of LEED® school buildings and has helped Ohio become the example for sustainable school construction and design. To seize the opportunities the LEED® resolution presents, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) – Central Ohio Chapter, in cooperation with Reynoldsburg City Schools, is holding an inaugural Ohio Green Schools Rally on February 22, 2012. The rally will bring together building professionals, school administrators, and community leaders to discuss and learn more about how “green schools” benefit students, school districts, communities and even help create jobs.

Event Details
The rally will be held at Reynoldsburg’s eSTEM Academy – Summit Campus, 8579 Summit Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 – from 11 am to 6 pm Wednesday, February 22.  To register, please visit http://ohiogreenschoolsrally.eventbrite.com/

To learn more about the USGBC – Central Ohio Chapter, please visit its website at http://usgbc-coh.org/