Why Sustainable Development?

At Uniland, sustainable development is a corporate responsibility that we have to our tenants, our environment, and ourselves. Our sustainability practice includes a portfolio that minimizes the environmental impact of the construction and operation of the buildings in our portfolio while maximizing tenant comfort and financial savings. We accomplish this by achieving a high level of performance in energy and water efficiency, environmental construction, sustainable building operations, green building certifications, tenant engagement and community involvement. From reducing the carbon footprint, the equivalent of 415 automobiles annually by retrofitting light fixtures and compressors, to recycling thousands of tons of clean waste in the largest re-use project in Western New York history – Uniland recognizes that every effort, large and small, is an important contribution to our shared environment. From concept to completion, elements of sustainable design are incorporated into every Uniland project.

Uniland recognizes that environmentally sustainable development initiatives are an important feature for many customers. Benefitting the environment as well as theirs and our business, Uniland is committed to work together to assist our clients in the achievement of their sustainable goals. Uniland continually invests in property improvements including HVAC, Lighting, and Water services in pursuit of the following objectives, which enhance the value of its properties:

• Reduce overall energy consumption by a minimum of 5% annually with a focus on a minimum of 10% during peak consumption periods.
• Implement annual lighting retrofit programs. Focus on LED replacements and retrofits due to the double benefit of reducing overall energy consumption and significantly reducing waste disposal of more frequently replaced other types of lighting.
• Increase the percentage of recycled material purchasing, particularly janitorial paper products.
• Increase the number of properties with cardboard and paper recycling trash procedures.
• Invest in higher efficiency HVAC units when replacements are required.
• Pursue modernization updates of existing building control systems.
• Increase the use of environmentally friendly pesticides and fertilization of lawn / landscape areas.
• Encourage and promote vendors that focus on vehicle and equipment emission reduction, alternative power sources such as battery, etc.
• Continue recycling of concrete, asphalt and other paving materials during restoration, renovation, and repair work.
• Continue to recycle roof membranes during tear off replacements.
• Maintain and increase the number of Energy Star rated buildings.
• Encourage a “paperless” office by promoting the use of electronic filing, scanning and presentations at tenant, contractor and Uniland corporate offices.
• Engage tenants to reduce their environmental impact through regular communications and action-oriented programs.

Programs and Projects

Uniland’s property managers are constantly looking for ways to deliver value for clients. Numerous green and sustainable measures are in place to increase energy-efficiency, reduce carbon footprint, and lower customer energy bills. The company actively pursues economic development programs, rebates, tax credits and other opportunities that reduce tenant occupancy costs and utility expenses including Energy Star, LEED certification, and NYSERDA incentives.  Certifications are coordinated in-house for maximum efficiency and oversight. Specific strategies employed include: Materials and resources

• Purchase recycled materials whenever possible for tenant or building improvements
• Minimize or eliminate exterior water usage through the introduction of water-efficient landscaping
• Retro-fit to LEED standards (lighting, landscaping, restroom fixtures, etc.)

Indoor environmental quality

• Energy-efficient lighting / Lighting retrofits
• Environmentally safe cleaning products
• Low VOC paint
• Water-conserving bathroom fixtures

Recycling

• Ensure that all materials from the building are disposed of in a safe way for both tenants and the environment, including paper, printers, ink cartridges, and plastics.

Green cleaning

• Encourage the use of green cleaning products that are safe for the environment and support employee health.

Green Team

Beyond work on-site, Uniland’s “Green Team” includes associates, some of whom are LEED and Green Globes accredited professionals, who meet regularly to discover better ways to preserve and protect the environment. This group then works with our property management team and service providers on the importance of using environmentally friendly products, recycling of waste, and continually practicing energy-efficient methods in our buildings. Many of Uniland’s associates participate in industry-specific forums, such as BOMA, NAIOP and NYSCAR, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), American Institute of Architects (AIA), that help them remain current on real-time innovations and changes in the world of commercial real estate sustainability.

Energy Performance Benchmarks

Uniland has adopted building energy performance benchmarks for all our properties. Our property managers are trained in creating energy performance reports that help us track energy consumption and develop performance benchmarks. Advanced computer applications are also used to monitor utility expenses and life-cycle equipment costs.

Building Certifications

ENERGY STAR Partner Uniland benchmarks the energy performance of each of its buildings using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. An ENERGY STAR certified facility meets strict energy performance standards set by EPA and uses less energy, is less expensive to operate, and causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its peers. More than a dozen of Uniland’s properties have been awarded the prestigious ENERGY STAR, distinguishing them as some of the most efficient buildings in the region. The following Uniland buildings are ENERGY STAR certified:

• 11 Pinchot Court, Amherst, NY
• 61 John Muir Drive, Amherst, NY
• 130 John Muir Drive, Amherst, NY
• 285 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY
• 6225 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY
• 6245 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY
• 6265 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY
• 6400 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY
• 6500 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY
• 100 Corporate Parkway, Amherst, NY
• 800 CrossKeys Office Park, Fairport, NY
• 1250/200 Pittsford-Victor Road, Pittsford, NY
• 100 WillowBrook Office Park, Fairport, NY
• 200 WillowBrook Office Park, Fairport, NY
• 400 WillowBrook Office Park, Fairport, NY
• 500 WillowBrook Office Park, Fairport, NY
• 300 Airborne Parkway, Cheektowaga, NY

Awards and Recognitions

• ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year 2014
• Amherst Chamber of Commerce award for Commitment to Community and the Environment
• Commission for the Conservation of the Environment award for Tonawanda Commerce Centre
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Excellence Award to Uniland’s AVANT building (200 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY)

In addition to integrating sustainable development practices into the operations of its existing buildings, Uniland continually introduces the latest green building materials and technologies into its new developments. With a LEED accredited design team, Uniland understands how to maximize efficiency in every part of a building. We also understand how physical space impacts comfort and productivity for employees and visitors alike. Our firm has built a reputation for designing space that is energy-efficient, sustainably designed, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to maintain, in part because our designers and planners work side-by-side with our construction managers and vendors. This level of collaboration is unique in the industry, and produces excellent results for our clients. Uniland’s sustainability guidelines for new construction include:

• Installation of Low-E glass
• Installation of high efficiency mechanical systems
• Use of recycled content in building products
• Installation of water conserving bathroom fixtures- dual flush toilets and low flow faucets
• Increase building ventilation using ASHREA standards
• Use of low VOC paint
• Recycling construction waste
• Maximizing natural daylight and incorporating high efficiency light fixtures

Building and Grounds

Uniland’s green design strategies often extend into the site plan design and its connection to the surrounding environment. The Uniland team creates plans to address erosion and sedimentation control utilizing temporary seeding, earth dikes, silt fencing and sediment traps. Drought resistant landscaping is implemented and run-off water is stored and cleaned. When possible, Uniland acquires and develops properties that are near public transportation, not only providing an added convenience for tenants, but also aiding to reduce carbon emissions. We also assist clients in establishing recycling programs and smoke-free building campuses.

Sustainability Extends to Our Business Partners Uniland is committed to buying and hiring local. We pride ourselves on providing an environment in which local, union, open shop, and minority- and women-owned businesses are able to participate on projects. During the contractor selection process, Uniland evaluates candidates based on four qualifications: integrity, knowledge, performance and value. Uniland’s standards ensure that contractors and project managers adhere to commitments made relating to green building design specifications.

Representative Experience

The Delaware North Building at 250 Delaware Avenue is 12-story glass-walled structure in the Central Business District (CBD), serving as the world headquarters for Delaware North. The project’s design integrates the latest advances in environmental and energy conservation, producing a LEED Silver certification for the core and shell. The Delaware North Building has a low carbon footprint due to its high-density use in a walkable neighborhood with mass transportation access. Employees in the building are encouraged to cycle to work and park their bikes in the covered bike racks. In the 2,000-square-foot lobby, a 21′ x 22′ wall of living plants filters the air and uses reclaimable watering. Behind the lobby and beside The Westin Buffalo’s reception area is a multi-purpose and landscaped courtyard. Plantings of shrubs, trees, seasonal flowers and a water feature provide an urban oasis and outdoor entertaining space for visitors. A landscaped terrace and outdoor walkway adorn the 12th floor, as well.   Some of The Delaware North Building’s LEED features include:

• Erosion and sedimentation control plan
• Brownfield remediation
• Stormwater management
• Reduced heat island effect
• Enhanced exterior window glazing performance
• Recycled construction and demolition debris
• Permanent indoor air quality monitoring systems
• Low VOC materials and paints

Catholic Health System HQ– Uniland was hired to construct a 140,000-square-foot building to be utilized as an Administrative and Regional Training Center by a Buffalo-based healthcare company. We worked with the client to implement a wide range of environmentally friendly features and high-efficiency systems to achieve LEED certification. Some of those included a complex-wide recycling program where all non-food disposables are recycled and organic food waste is composted; filtered hot and cold water filling stations to encourage using refillable containers; sun shades to reduce glare and cooling costs in the summer months; and High-Efficiency Toilets (HET) with dual-flush for water reduction. A bio-swale was designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water through a natural filtration system of rocks and gravel, and return it back in the building.

Avant– Uniland’s 400,000-square-foot adaptive re-use project, Avant, began a commitment to sustainable design with the largest recycling project of clean materials in Western New York history. Hundreds of tons of concrete, aluminum, glass and other materials were hauled away to create a pristine core of steel frame and concrete floor. Each design and construction decision has been carefully considered for enduring environmental value. Months were taken to investigate the most environmentally appropriate and functional glass for the structure’s curtain wall system.  The building life cycle and the livability for owners, tenants and guests were paramount to each decision made.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

Community commitment means much more than designing and building signature properties or creating and supporting hundreds of jobs each year. Uniland was founded in Western New York and maintains a daily promise to build a better community. From its support of local non-profits and the arts community to the organization of community events, Uniland’s business practices embody true social consciousness.