Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland city commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to press ahead with plans for a $75 million sustainability center downtown.

The vote doesn’t commit the city to build anything. But it does mean spending $450,000 to design a so-called “living building” on the edge of Portland State University.

Among those speaking in favor of the center was developer Mark Edlen. As a co-founder of Gerding Edlen, he’s been responsible for a number of LEED-certified, green buildings. But he says LEED is no longer cutting-edge.

Mark Edlen: “The future is really net-zero buildings, and ‘living buildings’ such as we have an opportunity to accomplish with this project. And there are cost premiums, same as when we were doing the first LEED Gold and Platinum buildings. However, now, those premiums are at a minimum.”

The building aims to meet virtually all of its energy and water needs on site by using solar panels, a machine for cleaning wastewater, and conservation strategies.

If built, it’d be mostly offices for the city of Portland, Oregon University System, and private companies.

It would also have classroom space for PSU, an exhibit center, and a new streetcar station.