It’s hard to say exactly which image it was that pushed us over the edge. Was it stories about extreme climate change, like the one on the front page of the New York Times that read “Snow Falls in Baghdad” or the dramatic footage of the arctic ice caps melting, maybe it was the satellite images of the effects of deforestation? It was probably the video of a polar bear drowning from exhaustion because there is not enough ice left to rest on. Yes, that was enough. Enough to first devastate us, then enrage us, and ultimately motivate us to want to take a stand.

At this moment in history it is hard to argue that global warming is not the single biggest issue facing the world and its leaders. The time to take decisive action is now. The prospects of impacting such a large problem can seem overwhelming, but we believe if individuals, communities and businesses can band together to make better choices, we can rewrite the future. Alone it is hard to imagine that we can make a difference, but together, we can be the solution.

The GreenVille Project was born out of a passionate desire to consciously commit to being a part of the solution. Our goal was to take something as basic and fundamental as where people shop and how they consume and turn it into an extraordinary opportunity for change. Our vision is to take a holistic approach to creating a dynamic model for Green Retail Centers that comply with the highest of environmental standards, are LEED certified, cater to conscientious retailers, educate consumers, benefit the community, and reward investors. The company will be capable of delivering a sophisticated model for Green Retail Development that can be replicated in communities across the country.

The ultimate goal is to create meaningful, measurable change in the attitudes and practices of all the individuals, businesses and communities we serve. We believe we have the power to change the landscape of commercial development, and in turn revolutionize the retail industry and the consumers who fuel it.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways The GreenVille Project plans to achieve this lofty goal of worldly goodness. We’ll begin with the actual buildings. With our brave-hearted team of designers, engineers, architects, economists and visionaries, we have committed to reinventing what’s possible in a retail facility. Recognizing that energy consumption is one of the most critical issues we could address, it falls at the top of our list. We are invested in creating energy neutral buildings through the use of all technologies available today, and especially the ones yet to be discovered.

We envision using a combination of solar (both passive and active), geothermal technologies, and wind power. This will be paired with the latest methods of energy efficient construction, utilizing cutting edge materials and practices. Water management and conservation are also a top priority. We imagine everything from drought resistant landscaping to grey water reclamation, sophisticated storm water management and low flow fixtures. The picture would not be complete without the mention of low/no VOC finishes and responsible, sustainable materials selections.

The way The GreenVille Project fits into a community is one of our most important considerations. Starting with the very architecture, we believe no two GreenVille locations should look exactly alike. The GreenVille in Austin should look and feel appreciably different than the one in Aspen. They should be sensitive to the unique aspects of the communities they serve. People and communities across the country deserve better than boxes. Moving beyond the architecture, we believe that these marketplaces have the potential to be more than just places of commerce. We envision each GreenVille to have a common space that is available for the public to use and enjoy. From Scout meetings to the local book club, we want to provide a space for our neighbors to come together.

Education is the most powerful tool for change that we posses. We feel that the opportunity to enlighten the consumers we serve is limitless. From small things like reinforcing good behavior by having easy access to mass transit, or providing premium parking for alternative fuel cars and handy bike racks to hosting quarterly eco-fairs, sponsoring science competitions in local schools and providing information about the benefits of living sustainably, we can make huge strides in improving consumer habits and attitudes.

At the core of this vision are ultimately our retail partners. In our travels and research we have come across so many amazing businesses that clearly want to be a part of the solution. Our goal is to bring together a dynamic group of like-minded, on brand retailers that share our commitment and dedication. We are confident that the benefits of joining forces with The GreenVille Project will be substantial. The energy savings and its effect on the bottom line are obvious, but we believe that is only the beginning. By assisting our retail partners in positioning themselves squarely on the shoulders of the emerging green economy, we will help ensure their success long into the future and in turn ours. We also believe that our multifaceted approach will instill tremendous loyalty in the end users of our facilities, which we will all profit from.

This leads us to a vision of The GreenVille Project from the inside. Who do we aspire to be? Our goal is to become a legendary company to work for. Changing the world is a tall order and it takes a special breed to answer the call. Our job is to support and inspire those brave enough to step up. That support comes in the form of paying workers a living wage, caring about their health and wellbeing, providing an environment that inspires creativity, fosters loyalty, builds trust and recognizes and rewards hard work. It means never living in fear of having to ask for the afternoon off to take care of a sick kid or having to fight for things like domestic partner benefits. It means we practice what we preach; we recycle, we provide healthy office space, we support people in making good choices through things like our bike to work program, the quit smoking bonus and corporate gym rates. We ask ourselves to be the model for what we hope of
others.

If we were to do just one of these things; build great buildings, be good neighbors, partner with progressive retailers or be an amazing company to work for, many would say that’s enough, but for the polar bears and their rapidly melting ice, it is not enough. It is the sum total of all of these strategies working together that will elicit the most meaningful change in the direction of our planet. Margaret Mead once wrote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has!” We strive to be that group.

We invite you to join us in being a part of the solution for today, tomorrow and beyond. This will be the legacy of The GreenVille Project.