With more of a focus being placed on the environment, going green in the home is becoming more commonplace, even businesses are putting more of an emphasis on green practices.

With this in mind, MaryCae and Bill Asay, owners of the Saratoga Downtowner, plan to tear down the existing motel and replace it with a LEED-certified hotel. The Asays recently were approved for the structure’s mass and scale, as well as their demolition permit. If things go as planned, MaryCae Asay hopes construction will begin in early 2008, and to have the hotel open in 2009.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is a benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

“It is always important to rethink, reevaluate and remake your business as necessary.

We have a prime corner in Saratoga and it’s really been a creative dream to bring the most unique property to that corner that we can. It’s always been lodging so holding true to history was very important for us,” said MaryCae Asay. She noted that going green was the right thing to do and that being a mother played into her desire as well.

“It is of value to consider the future and that what we are doing today impacts the future generations.”

Buildings going for LEED Certification are evaluated in six criteria: sustainable sites’ water efficiency; energy and atmosphere; materials and resources; indoor environmental quality; and innovation and design process. Each category features several subcategories in which buildings can gain credits, as well as several required standards, including storage and collection of recyclables; construction activity pollution prevention; minimum energy performance; and more.

Projects are deemed LEED-certified if they accomplish the prerequisites and receive between 26 and 32 points. Silver-certified buildings must receive between 33 and 38 points; gold between 39 and 51 points; and platinum between 52 and 69 points. While the Asays are not counting points, they are hoping to receive silver certification.

 “We are looking to do as much as we can as far as earth-friendly practices and practical building construction practices,” said Asay. “We’re not chasing points, but we have put together a highly skilled environmentally, sustainably thinking team.”

Currently in the United States there are only five LEED-certified hotels, none of which are in New York. Forty-five hotels registered with LEED in the U.S., eight of which are within New York state.

Ashley Katz, communications coordinator for the U.S. Green Building Council, noted that registered projects are projects that are currently somewhere ‘in the pipeline.’

“They are either still in the conceptualization phase or building design and construction phases - and have registered with LEED with the intention of gaining certification upon completion,” said Katz.

The hotel will consist of two five-story wings (east and west) that will be interconnected by a one-floor lobby. The lobby will feature an environmentally friendly green roof that will also be a more pleasant view for those staying in the hotel. Along Broadway, the building will feature a porch. While the current motel features 42 rooms, the new hotel will host nearly 75 rooms (some of which are suites), a restaurant, meeting space and retail space.

Asay noted its heart-of-Saratoga location encourages walking options and alternate transportation. She expects to provide shuttle service for people who plan to stay who arrive by rail or airline.

While the renderings are still in the conceptual stage (mainly mass and scale), Asay already has a strong vision of what she wants to see for the hotel.

“We, myself and my husband and the architects, strongly feel that the building should integrate well with what exists on Broadway, respecting the history of the building and the area and yet incorporating something that works for today’s buildings,” said Asay. “What we want to do is to really carefully study and make sure that we bring something that fits well.”

The Asays purchased the historic corner on Broadway in 2000. In 1830, the site was home to Saratoga’s first train station. In 1833, the site became home to the Marvin House, its first foray into lodging. In the years to come, the site hosted many lodging accommodations, including the second Marvin House (the original was felled by the fire that burned the United States Hotel to the ground in 1865), the Arlington, the Worden (1865-1861) and since 1963, the Downtowner. In the early 1920s, it was one of the first hotels to install a heating system in Saratoga, making it a year-round lodging facility.

The Asays looked to the past in the name for the planned hotel. When it opens its doors, the new hotel will be known as The Worden.

On Wednesday, July 11, Asay traveled to Washington, D.C., with architect Susan Maxman. Maxman spoke before the U.S. Congress Small Business Committee on the roadblocks and challenges small businesses face when choosing to go green. Maxman used the Asays’ project as her model. Asay noted the presentation before the committee went well and she felt hopeful that the government understood the need to help foster green development.