Vail Project Could be Largest LEED-Certified Resort
VAIL, Colo. — The $1 billion Ever Vail resort village proposed by Vail Resorts could become the largest LEED-certified resort project in North America if it proceeds as planned.
The town council is set to consider a formal proposal for the 1 million-square-foot resort that could include up to 700,000 square feet of mixed-use space. Plans include 225 to 375 condominiums; a 100,000-square-foot hotel; up to 150,000 square feet of commercial space; a 100,000-square-foot ski facility; a new mountain-base portal; and a public park.
If approved by the council, Ever Vail will also be one of the country’s first construction projects considered for the new LEED for Neighborhood Development certification, established in February 2007, officials say.
A collaboration among the U.S. Green Building Council, the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council, the LEED neighborhood design program integrates principles of smart growth, responsible land use, resource conservation and environmental sustainability into the first national standard for neighborhood development.
Vail Resorts, which owns five mountain resorts, plans to incorporate sustainable building practices and alternative energy sources in developing100 percent of the Ever Vail project’s facilities to meet LEED criteria, officials say.
During the past 12 months, the development company has undertaken several other environmental initiatives.
The recent purchase of 152,000 wind energy credits made Vail Resorts one of the largest public-traded companies to offset 100 percent of its energy consumption through renewable energy credits.
The company also partnered with the National Forest Foundation to fund conservation projects in Colorado , California and Nevada . Under the deal, Vail Resorts will donate $1 for every night of accommodation, and every season pass and lift ticket purchased at its resorts, with the foundation pledging to contribute an additional 50 cents for every dollar generated.
If the Ever Vail project proposal is approved by the Vail town council, the company will begin resort real-estate sales in 2009.