The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
January 25, 2008

An unassuming five-story office just off Pleasant Hill in Duluth has become the third Georgia building to win a prestigious ranking from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Designated with an LEED-EB certification (which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Existing Building) the Crestwood Building is the first multi-tenant structure in the state to be so recognized.

Owners and tenants of the five-story concrete and glass structure gathered in its lobby Thursday afternoon to toast the achievement.

"This is a huge celebration for us," said Scott Doksansky of Melaver, Inc., the building's owner. "This is a project we've worked on for years. It's one of a kind, and a huge honor."

The $275,000 renovation of the 22-year-old building made it more energy-efficient in a number of ways. The 93,554-square-foot office tower has water-saving bathroom fixtures, motion-sensor lights, recycled carpet and only uses low-toxicity paints and cleaners.

At the Crestwood, recycling is a way of life. Every common area has multiple bins for glass, plastic, cans, newspaper and cardboard — and a long first floor hallway has even more, including one for toner cartridges. So the party Thursday was no place to find trashcans piled high with Chinette or Styrofoam, only neat stacks of reusable glass, dish and silverware.

Mark Stovin, who's rented an office at the Crestwood for two years, said working here lets him practice what he preaches.

"I teach my kids the 3 R's — reduce, reuse and recycle," said Stovin, regional manager for Anderson Daymon Worldwide. "And it feels pretty good to come home from work and let them know I'm doing the same things here."

Dennis Creech is the executive director of Southface Energy Institute, an Atlanta nonprofit that promotes sustainable homes and workplaces. He said retooling office buildings — which generate half of all greenhouse gases in the U.S. — is the next big wave in going green.

"If buildings are the biggest source, we've got to get on top of it," Creech said. "This building shows what's possible."

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By EILEEN DRENNEN