In Athens, Ga., Hotel Indigo goes for LEED Gold

In Athens, Ga., the Hotel Indigo will apply for LEED Gold certification upon completion in 2009. According to InterContinental Hotels Group, managers of the property, the 130-room hotel would be the third to score the rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

"We are excited about having them become a valuable community partner," said Doc Eldridge, president of Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. "This hotel is going to make a significant contribution to the appeal of the downtown district. Hotel Indigo’s environmental and community initiatives will further the reputation of the business community as forward thinking and committed to making Athens a better place to live, work and play."

Backers of the hotel will focus their promotion efforts on bringing attention to sustainability issues in the Athens area.

"We have decided to forego a typical ground-breaking event and have a 'green-breaking' instead," said Amy Hibler, corporate sustainability officer for Rialto Property Partners.

Rialto will support sustainable development and community initiatives within Athens, contributing to both Nuçi’s Space and Athens Land Trust.

Sustainable features of the property include a cistern to collect rainwater for landscape irrigation, energy-efficient heating and cooling, a green roof, and “green pavement” systems. Also. the property will have an on-site public transit stop, bicycle racks, and priority parking for hybrid cars. The hotel's location, four block from the University of Georgia campus in Athens, was selected to encourage walking.


| Other Headlines for August 18, 2008


Is the DNC's guru of green on the unemployment line? (Rocky Mountain News)


Kaine declares Virginia Beach the state's first "green" destination (WAVY-TV)

Hyatt Regency Saipan lunches 'green awareness' (Saipan Tribune)


IT&CMA and CTW event in Bangkok look toward sustainability (news release)