We’re delighted to announce that HarborWalk Plaza in Morro Bay has been awarded LEED Silver certification! The boutique hotel and retail project is the first commercial LEED-certified project in Morro Bay.
Co-Owners Cherisse Hansson and Travis Leage noted, “With our deep roots in this community and our commitment to caring for the environment for future generations, LEED certification was a natural fit for our project. We are thrilled to achieve this milestone.”
Specific achievements for HarborWalk Plaza include:
· Low-flow plumbing fixtures, drought-tolerant plants and rainwater catchment reduce water use by 45%.
· Efficient heat pump mechanical systems, LED lighting, excellent insulation, high-performance windows and strategic overhangs reduce energy and increase thermal comfort. With the addition of solar panels on the roof, total energy use has been reduced by 55%.
· Light-colored roof and paving materials reduce the heat-island effect for the project, helping keep the site cool and aligned with natural conditions.
· Indoor health for occupants is improved with low-emitting finishes, individual thermal controls and excellent daylighting in guest rooms and public spaces.
Financial Savings through LEED and Commissioning
In addition to providing LEED certification services, our team worked with Larry Myrick to provide fundamental and enhanced commissioning of energy systems, which turned out to be particularly impactful. During commissioning, we observed that the anticipated energy savings from the PV system were not being achieved; through troubleshooting, we helped identify an oversight in the utility connection. Based on the feedback, the grid-tied connections were reset, and the owners are now seeing the savings as anticipated.
Congratulations to the entire HarborWalk Plaza Team!
· Owner-Builder: TLC Family Enterprises
· LEED Certification: In Balance Green Consulting
· Architect: Chris Parker
· Mechanical Engineer: BMA Mechanical +
· Electrical Engineer: JMPE Electrical Engineering
· Stormwater: Ahsirt Engineering