Turning Up the Heat on Utilities (3/19)
Mar 19, 2009 12:07 PM, By Riccardo A. Davis
Electricity and water are coming under increased pressure for reductions in costs, and usage.
Xeriscaping, using plants that require little or no watering, enables shopping centers to maintain a good appearance while cutting down on utilities costs.
Ground zero
Taking root at shopping centers and some big-box discounters is landscaping and plants that require little or no watering. To reduce costs associated with water, Coldwell Banker Commercial is installing irrigation drip systems with landscape designs that incorporate rocks, plants and shrubs indigenous to the region into what is called “xeriscaping.” The goal is to reduce or eliminate the loss of water to evaporation or runoff.
According to Erik Mecham, a project manager for Odyssey Landscape in West Jordan, Utah, a typical Wal-Mart landscape design calls for between 47 and 50 water sprays for grass and shrubs without xeriscaping compared with two to four using xeriscaping. That equates to a 70 percent reduction in water, says Owen, emphasizing the irrigation drip system targets water to the root zone without overwatering.
Mecham says, “One of the things that is becoming more and more prevalent at shopping centers is water. We’ve got to be better with how we use our water.” Beyond conserving water, xeriscaping at Center Pointe Shopping Center in Lehi, Utah, has also lowered the carbon-foot print by reducing the usage and frequency of gas and electric powered mowers and weeding equipment. The 300,000-square-foot grocery-anchored center, a joint venture between Raddon Development Group and Ball Ventures Group and managed by Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, has also realized additional savings because its off-site centrally-controlled irrigation system doesn’t require a maintenance person at the property to gauge water usage.
Acceptable Use Policy blog comments powered by Disqus
