BPC signs lease for 2nd "green" building.

The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority Board of Directors yesterday approved a lease with The Related Companies to build a 24-story, 264-unit environmentally "green" high-rise apartment building.

The new 308,000-SF building, slated for Site 19B and located at North End Avenue and Warren Street, will be financed through the Liberty Bond program.

Tim Carey, president & CEO of Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) said the lease with Related Companies was further proof of Lower Manhattan's recovery. "The fact that another developer is planning to build in Lower Manhattan speaks to the vitality of this community," he said. "Lower Manhattan is making a remarkable comeback, and this lease with The Related Companies is further evidence of the enormous desire to build, work, and live here."

News of the lease with The Related Companies comes upon the heels of an announcement in late June that Millennium Partners would erect a 37-story "green" residential building at Battery Park City.

"Battery Park City has set the standard in 'green' development, and this lease shows that developers, as well as residents have embraced our philosophy," said James Gill, chairman, Battery Park City Authority.

"We are thrilled to have been selected by Battery Park City Authority to develop a 'green' residential building at this prominent site. We look forward to developing a residential building that will make a positive and significant contribution to the recovery of Lower Manhattan," said Stephen M. Ross, chairman and CEO of The Related Companies.

Like the Solaire, the world's first "green" high-rise residential building, and the Millennium Partners' project, the new tower will be built in accordance with the BPCA's pioneering "Green Guidelines." These guidelines have recently been upgraded to reflect changes in the New York State Energy Code and to make them more compatible with the U.S. Green Building Council's rating system. The new "green" building on Site 19B will feature:

* On site filtering and recycling of waste water to supply flush water for toilets; the new building will use 33% less water than a comparable non-green building;

* Energy strategies that are 20% more efficient than current NYS codes, including: digital programmable thermostats; dimmable and motion-detector controlled lighting, low-E glazing, high efficiency insulation, variable speed pumps, motors and fans, 30% more natural light, and the use of Energy Star appliances;

* The collection of rain water for irrigation of the roof gardens; plumbing fixtures that use 10% less water than required by the Energy Policy Act of 1992;

* Recycling at least 75% of construction waste; high use of construction materials with recycled content and materials manufactured within 500 miles of the site;

* Of the 264 units, 146 will be two bedrooms or more, and the average size of each apartment is 1.004 SF.