In addition to Safeway, several other retailers have committed to Mountain Ranch Marketplace including: Walgreen's Chase Bank, Walgreens, Phoenix Children’s Academy, Papa John’s Pizza, Great Clips, Estrella Family Dentistry, Estrella Homes and Land, SW Ambulance and Oasis Bagels.

Newland Communities issued an RFP three years to look for a company to develop a grocery-anchored center, according to Schramm. He tells GlobeSt. that the community developer wanted to partner with a retailer developer with experience in sustainability and LEED. Kitchell has more than 90 LEED accredited professionals.

To qualify for LEED Gold Certification, a project must accumulate a total of 34 points in six areas including: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation in design.

The center, which was designed by Butler Design Group, pays homage to cottage-bungalow architecture and features low-pitched gabled roofs, rectangular composition and deep overhanging eaves. It is oriented to minimize heat gain and to decrease energy usage.

Additionally, Mountain Ranch Marketplace boasts low water-use landscaping, as well as gray water irrigation for landscaping. It also features a storm water quality control system complete with stormceptors that filter 80% of suspended solids.

Also included among the many sustainable elements are high-efficiency 15-SEER heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) units; insulated low-emissivity glass; paints and adhesives with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs); highly reflective roofing materials to reduce the urban-heat-island effect; and measures to reduce light pollution.

Finally, 85% of the construction debris – a total of 765 tons – was diverted from landfill and recycled. In addition, the project incorporates wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from well-managed forests.

Beyond the environmental benefits to the community, the energy-saving features at Mountain Ranch Marketplace will provide tangible benefits for its retail tenants, such as lower operating costs, including a projected savings of 35 percent in annual energy costs, and a healthful environment for employees and visitors to the center.

Schramm estimates that these green features added 2% to 3% to the construction budget; however, he thinks the investment will have a solid return. "I think the LEED Gold will increase the value of the center when we market it," he says, adding that Kitchell will likely hold this center for five to 10 years before selling it. "It's been positive from a leasing standpoint too. Even though it's not commanding greater rents, it sparks people's interest."

In particular, tenants are interested in the energy savings that the center's green elements provide: on average, energy costs are expected to 35% less at Mountain Ranch Marketplace than non-LEED Gold centers.

Other members of the design and project team include: Laskin & Associates Landscape Design; Paul/Koehler Associates, structural engineering; Kraemer Mechanical Engineering; McGrew Electrical Engineering; Kitchell Contractors; Double AA Builders; Quest Energy Group and AKA Green, LEED Consultants.