Building a Sustainable Future: LEED at Clearwater City Hall

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A City Hall Built for Tomorrow

Clearwater's new City Hall was designed to serve residents for generations while reducing environmental impacts and operating costs. As the city's first LEED-certified building, it reflects Clearwater’s commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars through energy efficiency, water conservation and sustainable design.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world's most widely recognized green building rating system. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED provides an independent framework for designing, constructing and operating high-performance buildings that are healthier for occupants and more efficient to operate. 

Located in the heart of downtown, the new Clearwater City Hall also supports the city's long-term vision of creating a modern municipal campus that provides convenient access to public services while strengthening downtown Clearwater. 

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Sustainability Highlights

Connected to the Community - LEED Location & Transportation

Located in the heart of downtown Clearwater, the new City Hall is designed to make sustainable transportation convenient. Visitors and employees can walk to nearby businesses, restaurants and community destinations, use the adjacent PSTA transit hub, bike to work using on-site bicycle parking and shower facilities or charge electric vehicles using on-site EV charging stations. Together, these features reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles while making City Hall more accessible.

Conserving Water - LEED Water Efficiency

Fresh water is one of Florida's most valuable resources.

The landscaping uses native and adapted plants, along with smart irrigation controls to reduce outdoor water use by more than 50%. Inside the building, high-efficiency plumbing fixtures reduce potable water consumption by approximately 37% compared to standard fixtures. 

Clean Energy and Efficient Operations - LEED Energy & Atmosphere

Energy-efficient lighting, building controls and high-performance mechanical systems help reduce the building's energy use while maintaining a comfortable environment for employees and visitors.

Solar panels on the roof generate renewable electricity on-site, helping offset a portion of the building's energy needs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Together, these strategies lower operating costs and support the city's long-term sustainability goals.

An independent commissioning process also verified that building systems were designed and installed to perform as intended. 

Healthy Indoor Spaces - LEED Indoor Environmental Quality

People spend much of their day indoors, making indoor environmental quality an important part of sustainable design.

Features such as enhanced air filtration, walk-off entry mats, low-emitting materials and individual lighting and temperature controls help create a healthier and more comfortable workplace. 

Responsible Materials - LEED Material & Resources

Construction materials were selected not only for durability, performance, but also with consideration for their environmental impact, helping create a building that will serve the community for decades while reducing its environmental footprint.

Designed for Florida - LEED Sustainable Sites

The building incorporates reflective paving and roofing materials that reduce heat absorption and help combat the urban heat island effect, lowering cooling demands while creating a more comfortable outdoor environment.

Native landscaping and generous open space also support the site's long-term sustainability. 

Synergistic Design Process – LEED Integrated Process

Sustainability was a priority from the earliest stages of the project. Architects, engineers, city staff and other project partners worked together throughout the design process to evaluate how building systems could work together to improve performance, reduce resource use and create a healthier, more efficient facility. Early analysis of the building's anticipated energy and water use helped guide design decisions tailored to Clearwater's climate and operational needs.

Take a Self-Guided Green Building Tour – LEED Innovation in Design

Download the self-guided tour guide or pick up a printed copy in the lobby. As you explore City Hall, look for examples of sustainable design throughout the building and site.

Tour stops include:

1. LEED and sustainable design overview 

2. Public transit access 

3. Bicycle amenities 

4. Walkable downtown location 

5. Open space and landscaping 

6. Heat island reduction 

7. Outdoor water conservation 

8. Indoor water efficiency 

9. Energy-efficient building systems 

10. Sustainable building materials 

11. Indoor air quality 

12. Occupant comfort 

13. Low-mercury lighting 

Why This Matters

Sustainable public buildings are an investment in Clearwater's future. By reducing energy and water consumption, improving indoor environmental quality and supporting alternative transportation, the new City Hall helps lower operating costs, provides a healthier workplace and demonstrates the city's commitment to responsible stewardship of public resources.

We invite you to explore the building, take the self-guided tour and discover how sustainable design helps create a more resilient, efficient and welcoming City Hall for everyone.