The City of Moreno Valley proudly announces that Skechers USA’s North American Distribution Center in Moreno Valley has been certified LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The 1,820,457 square foot building, developed by Highland Fairview, is the largest LEED Gold certified project of its kind in the U.S.

LEED designation in new building construction is highly prestigious. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is administered by the USGBC. LEED is a comprehensive system to define, measure and designate "green buildings." Certification in the national recognition program is based on strict standards in five key areas: site planning, water management, energy, material use and indoor environmental quality.

Constructing modern buildings to adhere to LEED standards helps mitigate environmental impacts from new development, along with making for a healthier and safer environment for people who work in the new buildings. LEED certification may be achieved at four levels, including LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold and LEED Platinum. The LEED Gold level achieved by the Skechers USA building requires a score of 60 to 79 points and is the 2nd highest LEED certification level provided by USGBC. In general, the LEED rating system has a maximum of 100 points. Additional points may be awarded for exceptional innovation in design or operations. Points can be awarded in the following categories:

• Lower operating costs • Reduced waste sent to landfills
• Conservation of energy and water resources
• Healthier and safer environments for building occupants
• Reduce harmful greenhouse gases and emissions

To gain final LEED certification from the USGBC, a development project must be completed and demonstrate its operating efficiencies, along with its environmental and sustainable development attributes, over about a one year period.

Skechers USA hosted a ceremony on Friday, February 22, 2013, to celebrate the project’s achievement.  Several VIPs attended to congratulate Skechers’ Chairman Robert Greenberg, President Michael Greenberg, and Chief Operating Officer David Weinberg, as well as Iddo Benzeevi, Chief Executive Officer of Highland Fairview - the building’s developer.   Among VIPs in attendance were: Louis Stewart, Deputy Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development; Riverside County Supervisor, Marion Ashley; and Moreno Valley City Council- Mayor Tom Owings, Mayor Pro Tem Marcelo Co, Council Member Jesse L. Molina, Council Member Victoria Baca, and Council Member Richard A. Stewart.

"We are honored to receive this unique recognition. A LEED Gold designation is a tremendous achievement for any project. To be recognized as the largest, most advanced sustainable development of its kind in the United States is especially rewarding," said Highland Fairview President & Chief Executive Officer Iddo Benzeevi in a news release. "To achieve this level of sustainability at this scale required new and innovative approaches to design, the integration of state-of-the-art technologies and advanced construction systems. I'm proud to have been a part of bringing this national recognition to our region."

The global logistics center, which serves as the North American distribution headquarters for SKECHERS USA, incorporates Highland Fairview's Complete Life Cycle approach to sustainable development and includes extensive use of recycled construction building materials, the latest technology in irrigation and water utilization, storm water treatment, advanced solar power generation systems, and advanced environmentally-friendly materials to name a few. The facility also makes extensive use of parabolic skylights to increase natural lighting in all areas, low water-use fixtures, and recycled water repurposed for irrigation.

"SKECHERS is committed to growing its business in a way that conserves natural resources, protects the environment and reduces waste," said David Weinberg, SKECHERS Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer in the news release submitted by Highland Fairview. "In addition to efficiently distributing our product across North America, the SKECHERS Rancho Belago facility is an outstanding example of how large corporations can grow their business while also promoting earth-friendly practices. We're proud of the design innovation and 'green' features that can be found throughout the facility."

At the February 22nd event, Moreno Valley Mayor Tom Owings, expressing his sincere thanks, told attendees that “When Skechers made the decision to build its North American Distribution Center in Moreno Valley, they did so with the marked commitment to make a meaningful difference in our community.”  Mayor Owings continued, “Certainly, a large part of that commitment was to help put Moreno Valley on the map in terms of attracting and hosting high technology logistic companies.” 

In addition to the Highland Fairview-Skechers USA facility, two other industrial buildings presently under construction are designed to LEED standards and will seek LEED certification. The two projects include:

• I-215 Logistics Center being developed by the Trammell Crow Company in the South Moreno Valley Industrial Area.
• Centerpointe Logistics Center being developed by USAA Real Estate Company/Overton Moore Properties in the Centerpointe Business Park.

The commitment to environmentally conscious development in Moreno Valley is evident in the planning of many other industrial projects Several other projects approved in Moreno Valley also plan design with LEED certification in mind.

• Ridge Property Trusts’ 943,800 square foot WestRidge Commerce Center, located south of SR 60 between Quincy St. and Redlands Blvd.
• Panattoni Development Co.’s 1.56 million square foot Inland Empire Global Logistics Center, located at the southwest corner of Indian St. and Iris Ave.
• Sares REGIS/ Vogel Engineer’s 1.6 million square foot building along the north side of the Oleander Storm Drain between Indian St. and Perris Blvd.
• Western RealCo’s March Business Center- nearly 1.5 million square feet in four buildings.
• Highland Fairview’s 41 million square foot World Logistics Center located south of SR 60 on 2,800 acres east of Redlands Blvd.

For information on these and other development projects in Moreno Valley, contact the city’s Community & Economic Development Department at 951.413.3460 or visit their webpage at www.moval.org