By Randy Lankford

Winning a gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) award from the U.S. Green Building Council means a facility is going to extraordinary lengths to minimize its impact on the environment. Winning a second LEED award, this one silver, means the facility has upped the ante to become one of the greenest spots in the country.

The Port Authority of San Antonio has done just that. The Port’s headquarters building became the first commercial building in San Antonio to win gold certification when it was recognized in January of 2010. The former Kelly Air Force Base won its second LEED award in November when a 1940s munitions warehouse, converted to call center use for ACS — a business process outsourcing and information-technology company — was given silver certification.

Bruce Miller, president and CEO of Port San Antonio, called the certification a milestone in San Antonio. “The Gold LEED certification of our headquarters underscores Port San Antonio’s commitment to create a livable, pedestrian- and transit-oriented community following best business practices and high environmental sustainability standards,” he says.

The 29,400 square-foot headquarters building, completed in 2009, includes a number of energy-efficient features from efficient heating and cooling to wind power and green lighting.

ACS relocated 500 employees from a 45,000-square-foot space it occupied elsewhere at the port into its new 84,000-square-foot facility in March 2010.

“Port San Antonio has been a true partner in supporting our growth for years,” explains Alex Camacho, ACS project director. “Now, by providing us one of the most eco-friendly facilities in the region, we have a high quality place in which to grow our workforce and continue building on our successes.”

The WWII-era building housing the ACS operation was renovated over a two-year period using a wide range of environmentally friendly techniques and processes.

RANDY LANKFORD is a San Antonio freelance writer.