Tuesday, July 23, 2013

First Impressions: Exterior Construction Update

Just as potential buyers begin making decisions about purchasing a new home as they approach the front door, we place great importance on our “curb appeal” here at the SMG-managed Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. The beauty of a front entrance sends a powerful message about the great things to expect inside.

We’re pleased to report that our new landscaping project, which began at the end of August, is proceeding on schedule.  For the U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environment Design) certification for Existing Buildings, we are undergoing a major replacement of plant material and installing a new, more water-efficient, irrigation system.  All the new plants and trees are native to Florida and adaptive to our climate, requiring much less water to keep the landscape looking lush and tropical year-round.

As part of this landscape renovation project, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to revamp the front walkway of the convention center with colorful pavers in a beautiful design that reflects the facility’s motif.  When fully completed by the end of November, our entrance will welcome you with a splendor that rivals the entrance to Disney World!

Our exterior renovation project enhances our convention center in many ways. Its ecological benefits reduce irrigation requirements by using verdant plants and trees indigenous to South Florida which thrive in our climate and yet require less water than other greenery. Installing a micro-drip irrigation system efficiently sends water directly to the roots of plants and trees, using 50 percent less water than a conventional sprinkler system and contributes to our overall project goal of reducing our current water usage of 10 million gallons annually to less than 5 million.

Despite the large investment, we consider this project cost-effective in view of its tremendous appeal. We are creating both a beautiful outdoor environment and a model of sustainable development.  As part of the overall “greening” of our facility, this attractive exterior is sure to delight our guests and help position us as the finest venue for top meetings and conventions.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Sustainably yours,
Your Convention Center Team

This article was previously published at the www.ftlauderdalecc.com blog.

No comments:

Post a Comment