Rochester Leaders Hail Sustainable Buildings As New Standard

ROCHESTER (AP) — Rochester officials are hoping that new energy-efficient buildings taking shape downtown will become the standard for construction as the city continues to grow under its taxpayer-subsidized economic development plan.

Officials are looking to buildings such as One Discovery Square to lead the way in incorporating environmental sustainability into design.

The building's green features are part of the Destination Medical Center economic development plan, which aims to grow the city while reducing its overall energy use.
Kevin Bright is DMC's energy and sustainability director. He recently launched a tool to help businesses track how their buildings use water and energy.

Bright says the tool also aims to show builders how they compare to their peers and historical trends to encourage them to adopt sustainable approaches.