SAN ANTONIO–The sustainable building principles behind one credit union’s new headquarters here has some city officials asking how the city might incentivize similar new buildings.
The credit union, meanwhile, is calling its new HQ one of the best investments it has in its portfolio.
A local credit union’s construction of state-of-the-art, sustainably built office towers has prompted some City Council members to wonder how the City could incentivize more sustainable development.
“Visionary is a word that’s overused, but in your case, I think it applies,” Councilman Manny Pelaez told Stephen Hennigan, CEO of the $3-billion Credit Human here, according to the Rivard Report. The council’s five-member Community Health and Equity Committee heard an overview of the project, which is slated for completion in August next year, the report stated, adding that compared to other buildings of similar sizes, Credit Human anticipates its new headquarters will use nearly 50% less electricity from CPS Energy, use 97% less potable water, reduce carbon emissions by 1,447 metric tons per year, and retain 90% of stormwater that lands on the building and surrounding surfaces on its property.
The new headquarters will also feature a pocket park and three solar arrays atop each of the structures it plans to build there; a 10-story tower, an adjacent six-story mixed-use office building, and a parking garage, the Rivard Report stated.
‘Good Business Sense’
“It just makes good business sense,” Hennigan was quoted as saying. Hennigan previously served on the board of CPS Energy.
According to the publication, Credit Human, which was previously known as San Antonio Credit Union, considered moving its headquarters out of San Antonio, but instead consolidated its three operation centers into one near the Pearl Brewery redevelopment north of downtown San Antonio. As CUToday.info previously reported, the credit union received $8.8 million in city and county incentives, and the new location will house roughly 500 of its employees. It will occupy seven or eight floors and lease other spaces, the Rivard Report said.
Hennigan told the Rivard Report the building’s sustainable features will pay for themselves in approximately 12-13 years, and that the internal rate of return on the investment is 11.45%. “[The building will be] the best portfolio assets we have,” Hennigan was quoted as saying.
Part of Culture
In addition to obtaining the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, Hennigan told Council he also wants the culture of the workplace to emphasize sustainability. The building features bike racks, is close to bus stops, and likely will ban single-use plastics entirely, the Rivard Report stated.
Credit Human FCU has approximately 231,000 members.