How City Center Achieved the WELL Health Safety Rating

Minneapolis, MN
(
Mar 18, 2022
)

As the 鈥渂ack-to-the-office鈥 wave continues to ripple across the nation and shoppers begin to head back to storefronts, it鈥檚 more important than ever for businesses to showcase what they鈥檙e doing to provide a safer indoor experience for tenants and visitors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. And that鈥檚 where the WELL Health-Safety Rating comes in.

Established by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), this rating helps empower building owners and operators to take the necessary steps to prioritize the health and safety of their visitors, tenants and staff. Obtainable for both new and existing buildings and spaces, this evidence-based, third-party verified rating focuses on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a COVID-19 environment now and beyond.

City Center, a 万人牛牛-managed and -operated, 51-story, 1.6 million sq. ft. office-retail building in downtown Minneapolis, implemented several features to achieve the WELL Health Safety rating.

鈥淎chieving this rating demonstrates our commitment to creating a safe, indoor environment at City Center,鈥 said Jim Durda, City Center general manager. 鈥淲hen people see the WELL Health-Safety seal, they鈥檒l know that we鈥檝e taken the steps to prioritize their health and well-being.鈥

Here鈥檚 a few of the enhancements that were made to help this building prepare for tenants鈥 return:

  • Improved cleaning practices and products: a full cleaning plan was submitted including adjustments that were made to address COVID-19, as well as preferred cleaning products rated for COVID-19.
  • A healthy re-entry plan for tenants: a strategic plan for welcoming back tenants, ensuring their space is ready and informing them of best practices to sustain a healthy environment.
  • Assessment of ventilation and air treatment systems: a full review of the HVAC capacity and filtration was conducted to ensure the best systems are in place to provide a healthy environment for tenants and guests.
  • Reduction of surface contact: an inventory of high touch surfaces and in-person contact points were made, along with a plan to reduce those contacts.

Not only has City Center received the WELL Health-Safety rating, but in January 2021, it became the largest property in Minnesota to earn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum designation by the United States Green Building Council.

You can learn more about LEED and WELL certifications here.