As Florida and the nation strive to be more energy efficient, the Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown is leading the way in environmental responsibility by achieving a significant distinction: U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building certification program.
The hotel has received the prestigious LEED Silver certification for its superior environmental responsibility. The hotel earned the highly sought designation through numerous “green” initiatives, including practices that maintained 96 percent of the building’s original structural elements during major renovations and by providing bicycles for guests to use when moving around downtown Tallahassee. Four Points by Sheraton also set up a “green roof” that helps offset the urban heat island effect in Tallahassee, among its numerous green accomplishments.
“We are extremely proud to have obtained this LEED certification, which affirms our deep commitment to being outstanding citizens in this wonderful community,” said hotel general manager Bo Schmitz. “We want to do our part to sustain this beautiful city of Tallahassee. Four Points by Sheraton is part of a larger corporate family, but our Tallahassee Downtown location has deep local roots that we want to preserve and build on for years to come.”
To obtain LEED certification status, a building must satisfy a stringent set of prerequisites. Once those have been established, the building earns points to determine its level of certification, receiving points in six major categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation & Design.
“Florida’s long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability depends on the willingness of businesses and residents to embrace practices that will support long-term environmental health,” said Tim Center, executive director of Sustainable Florida. “It takes a special kind of dedication to earn LEED certification, the kind that’s necessary to protect and preserve the resources that make Florida so special.”
LEED certification is just one part of Four Points by Sheraton’s green initiatives program. The hotel seeks to conserve resources and limit unnecessary waste through responsible business practices and environmental stewardship. Additionally, the hotel serves and caters sustainable food for its guests, and by using environmentally conscious vendors the hotel is supporting local businesses that align with these green initiatives.
The certification will have a positive impact on the Tallahassee community, specifically the downtown area. Soon, Four Points by Sheraton will announce the project that will complete its Finish the Block campaign.
“We’ve received so many great, inspiring ideas from the community, and we are now working on a financial impact study to make sure we do the job right,” Schmitz said. “Our objective is to complement other development efforts going on in the area so it is both meaningful and useful for residents. We look forward to announcing the results soon.”
Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown is a Starwood hotel property and is locally owned and operated. One of the hotel’s main priorities is sustainable living and environmental awareness, as reflected in its LEED certification.