Orlando, FL -(Ammoland.com)- The Arizona Game and Fish headquarters office has won The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) Award of 2013-2014 at the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International Annual Conference on June 24 in Orlando, Florida.
The commercial real estate industry honored 14 properties. The Arizona Game and Fish building, winner in the Government category, was recognized for excellence in the areas of “green” technologies, cost-effective building management and operations, sustainability, access for disabled people, and overall excellence.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) headquarters was built in 2007 and is located at 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Ariz. The facility became one of the first Arizona State government buildings to receive a Platinum-certified designation, the highest ranking awarded by U.S. Green Building Council program for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
“Environmentally-friendly features added about 15 percent to the total cost,” said Arizona Game and Fish Department Development Branch Chief Mark Weise. “Initial construction costs were higher, but day-to-day operations and maintenance expenses are lower because they are usually handled in-house by department personnel.”
An Energy Star rooftop solar system generates 23 percent of the building’s annual energy needs. An agreement with Alpha Technology Inc. keeps solar power rates the same for 20 years. An efficient air-cooled chiller will pay for itself in less than five years. Natural light portals bring in winter daylight and temper summer heat. Many regionally harvested materials were used. Xeriscaping, native plants and drip irrigation hold down water and landscaping costs.
Did You Know? The Arizona Game and Fish Department has trust responsibility for managing more than 800 native wildlife species; the most of any inland state, for current and future generations of Arizona citizens.
About the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD)
The Arizona Game and Fish Department mission is to conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations.