San Diego, Calif. – The San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) announced its designation as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) GOLD facility at a public ceremony April 19. The designation was awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council in recognition of ongoing efforts to become one of the country’s greenest convention centers.
LEED-certified buildings use less water and energy than other buildings and take other steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Efforts that helped the SDCC bring home the gold included diverting 79% of materials away from landfills in 2016; replacing fluorescent lights with energy-efficient LED lighting, converting nearly all restrooms to low-flow water usage, and recycling 100% of all cardboard.
In announcing the Gold designation at a public celebration, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer noted the achievement would help the city “cut (its) carbon footprint in half by 2035 and build a better future for all San Diegans.”
“As we move forward with plans to modernize and expand the San Diego Convention Center, this news shows how important it is to continually invest in this economic engine,” he added.
Earlier this month, Mayor Faulconer joined tourism, hotel and civic leaders to announce a proposed ballot measure to modernize and expand the Convention Center that would raise the transient occupancy tax (TOT) by up to 3% to fund the expansion but also to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for street repairs and programs to reduce homelessness in the city. The Mayor plans to ask City Council to call a special election in November so residents can vote on the initiative. A two-thirds majority would be required for passage.
Reach Barbara Moreno at 619-525-5253 Barbara.Moreno@visitsandiego.com or Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe at 619-525-5101 or rip.rippetoe@visitsandiego.com
