Between each pod is covered outdoor space that allows tenants to comfortably move among the buildings.

“The outdoor space allows us not to program and build so much extra square footage that would typically be enclosed in a hallway that is air-conditioned, finished, lighted and maintained,” Anderson said. “It allows us to increase the use of space for the building without increasing the energy use of the building.”

Anderson’s design meets LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification, which is an internationally recognized green building certification system. It measures the performance of the materials used, water efficiency, energy use, sustainability of the structure and indoor air quality.  

“Its civic function is to be well used, fits in with the neighbors and creates a bit of buzz and activity on Coleman Avenue,” he said. “We are looking forward to building and setting an environmental standard for sustainability and hope its inspiring to other folks rebuilding in the area.”

Building Pod A will be used for retail and commercial space. It will also house the anchor tenant which might be a postal or business service that’s designed to serve the community, Anderson said. Building Pod B will accommodate a café, a commercial kitchen and commercial spaces. The café will also have outdoor space and the commercial-grade kitchen can be used by vendors to prepare their goods for the weekend farmer’s market.

“Individuals can cook in a health-department-approved space so health issues can be avoided,” Anderson said.

Building Pod C will be the common spaces which consist of a reception area, an administrative office, conference room, and kitchenette and toilet room. These shared spaces, Anderson said, save on expenses because each tenant doesn’t have to build these things.

“We don’t have to have the expense of building those spaces because they can share these utilities,” he said.

The amount of retail and commercial spaces depend on the number of tenants who want to lease. Anderson said they are planning to build those tenant spaces toward the end of construction.

Parking will extend toward the back of the building near Terrace Avenue.

“The one thing that inspired us is a market-type building you might see in Charleston, S.C., or the French Market in New Orleans,” Anderson said. “It’s a great example of an ‘old shed’ sort of building and when entrepreneurs move there, it gives an energy that we are trying to capture with this design.”

Waveland will have around $20 million to $25 million worth of buildings that will break ground toward the end of summer, Mayor Tommy Longo said.

“The business incubator will help small independent businesses who were struggling after Katrina the opportunity to come back,” Longo said. “This is a big part of the rebirth and regeneration of Coleman Avenue.”

Posted at www.sunherald.com on August 1, 2009