WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 29, 2008 – More than 175 real estate and historic preservation experts April 29 gathered at Washington, DC’s landmark St. Regis Hotel for the Green Building-Historic Preservation Symposium to explore how “green,” environmentally sustainable building strategies coexist with the safeguarding of historic structures. Arent Fox sponsored the symposium along with JBG Companies, Forrester Construction, Reznick Group, Studley, and Martinez & Johnson Architects.  

President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Richard Moe delivered the keynote afternoon address. Washington, DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Neil Albert served as a panelist during a discussion of the District’s new greening law.

The symposium featured a number of speakers and panelists, who discussed issues related to historic preservation, development of Washington DC’s Southwest Waterfront, alternative energy uses and tax credits, implementation issues and other important aspects of the District of Columbia Green Building Act of 2006.

“Nowhere is the connection between historic preservation and environmental sustainability more crucial than in Washington, DC, where the large number of historic buildings and ongoing construction boom present numerous, unique challenges for developers, architects, construction companies, attorneys and other real estate professionals,” said Arent Fox partner Keith Styles, who served as the event’s moderator.

During his keynote address, Richard Moe discussed why historic preservation can – and should – be an important component of any effort to promote sustainable development. With well over 40% of the nation’s carbon emissions coming from the operation and construction of buildings, the conservation and greening of our existing built resources is crucial to combating global warming.  

Moe told the symposium, “If we can establish reuse of buildings, reinvestment in neighborhoods, and green retrofitting of older buildings as the foundation of Washington DC’s efforts to address climate change, we can make the nation’s capital a national model for the recognition of buildings as a renewable, not an expendable, resource.”

As part of the event, Arent Fox and the other sponsors contributed $3,000 to the Anacostia Watershed Society. These funds will enable the Anacostia Watershed Society to purchase, plant, water, and care for 100 native trees along the Northeast and Northwest Branches of the Anacostia River.

The presentations, slides and other materials provided at the Green Building-Historic Preservation Symposium are available at:  www.arentfox.com/greenhistoric.