Commercial construction in Las Vegas has slowed down during the economic downturn, but developers and advocates of green projects say the enthusiasm for green buildings hasn't, Las Vegas Sun reports.
“A lot less projects will be built, but the ones going forward are going to be green,” said Pam Vilkin, past president of the Nevada chapter of the Green Building Council
That's because the cost for developing green features has gone down – thanks to manufacturers creating equipment and materials that are more efficient.
Most of the current focus of green features has been on the higher-end office buildings because of tenants' demands, according to Kirk Boylston, regional director of EJM Development.
Last year as more companies began building green buildings, the National Association of Home Builders reported an increase in demand for green building professionals. But builders are advised to do due diligence and pay attention to contracts in the wake of the first LEED-related lawsuit in the U.S.
Fast Company listed green building professionals as one of the top 10 green jobs of the next decade.
