Press Release
June 27, 2007
Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Cathy Jimenez
518.486.1868
Planned Jones Beach State Park Restaurant Goes "Greener"
Trump on the Ocean Will Seek Official LEED Designation
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Commissioner Carol Ash today announced that the agency and Trump on the Ocean LLC have reached agreement to ensure that the planned restaurant at Jones Beach State Park will utilize the most recent advances in "green" technology, by achieving a LEED certified designation.
"New York State is committed to exploring the latest technologies and programs that enhance and protect the environment, provide economic benefits and contribute to overall quality of life," said Ash. "The LEED program provides an unprecedented opportunity for state parks to maximize the economic and environmental performance of our facilities. The new restaurant at Jones Beach State Park demonstrates our commitment to securing green facilities at our state parklands."
"I am excited to be incorporating the latest in 'green' technology at Trump on the Ocean. Jones Beach is a rare jewel, and we will do everything we can to keep it beautiful and eco-friendly in addition to building the best facility of its kind anywhere in the world," said Donald Trump.
The lease entered into last year by OPRHP and Trump on the Ocean LLC required the project to be LEED "certifiable." As the new OPRHP commissioner, Ash sought to strengthen that language. Officials from Trump on the Ocean concurred and as a result, formal LEED designation will now be sought for the project.
"This is an important step in ensuring that this building project is appropriately 'green'," said Ash, who noted that this marks the first announced Trump LEED building. "I hope that this cooperative agreement will now be a model for future endeavors by the organization."
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating Program provides strategies and standards for achieving environmentally responsible buildings in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Costs associated with the LEED construction and certification process (capped at $500,000) will be paid out of the facility's Rehabilitation and Refurbishment (R&R) account. Under terms of the lease, three percent of gross receipts generated at the facility will be deposited into this account for facility improvements, which is estimated to generate tens of millions of dollars over the life of the lease.
In addition to funding the joint R&R account, Trump on the Ocean LLC will pay OPRHP an annual license fee of $200,000 (escalating to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index), along with a percent of gross receipts ranging from two to five percent over the term of the contract, beginning in year four of operation.
It has also been estimated that the restaurant will generate more than $10 million in sales tax revenue for Nassau County over its first ten years of operation.
The LEED program was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization composed of business leaders from the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible. LEED is a voluntary building certification program that defines high-performance green buildings and was created to establish a common standard for what constitutes a "green" building. LEED projects must be registered with the USGBC.
Certification is achieved through a rating system based on specific criteria such as sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design. LEED certified buildings reduce operating costs, conserve natural resources, and provide health and community benefits.
The new restaurant will be constructed at the site of the former Boardwalk Restaurant and will offer indoor seasonal dining, outdoor dining and provide facilities for special events.
The building will also comply with the State's Green Building Initiative for energy efficiency and the building's design and materials will be compatible with its historic surroundings. Trump on the Ocean LLC will be responsible for the design, development and operational costs. State Parks has design approval rights and will own the facility upon completion.
The building will also comply with the State's Green Building Initiative for energy efficiency and the building's design and materials will be compatible with its historic surroundings. Trump on the Ocean LLC will be responsible for the design, development and operational costs. State Parks has design approval rights and will own the facility upon completion.