Magic's New Arena Aims To Be NBA's First LEED Certified Venue

New Magic Arena Could Be First NBA Arena To Be Certified By U.S. Green Building Council

The Magic are "on track to have the first" new NBA arena to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, according to Andrea Adelson of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The "demand to make sports stadiums and arenas green has grown with increasing awareness on the environment." There also is a "financial upside for venue operators." The Magic arena, set to open in 2010, will have "easy access to public transportation, pedestrian plazas, open community space and not much room taken up for big parking lots." The arena will have a "light roof in order to cut down on the heat load," while "energy-efficient systems will be used, from air conditioning to lighting." HOK Sport "estimates about half of the construction waste during the building process will be able to be recycled." Magic COO Alex Martins said that the "cost of building a green arena is 10[%] higher compared to one that is not taking the steps to be certified." But Adelson notes it is an "expense the city deemed worthwhile, considering it put in the requirement that the building needed to be green." Martins added that the Magic also are "exploring green initiatives" at their corporate HQs in Maitland, Florida (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/30). The Spurs expect AT&T Center to qualify for LEED certification in the next three to six months (THE DAILY).