At one time, Annapolis Junction Business Park was the location for a sand and gravel mining operation.  Sands and aggregate was mined and removed from the site.  The land has since been reclaimed and made developable.  AJBP is considered a Brownfield Redevelopment site.  The former mining activity created contamination in the form of particulate/sediment contamination of water on the site.  The remediation measures included construction of a twelve acre storm water management pond in the southeast corner of the Park.  The pond serves as the storm water management facility for approximately 85% of the property.  An easement has been established to exclude the pond area from future development. 

During the remediation efforts, a 31 acre (+/-) site was created at the southern end of the park that will never be developed on.  The wetlands enhancements, creation and restoration efforts at the site will replace lost wetland acreage, functions and values.  Restoration, Enhancement and Preservation are the three goals of this mitigation area.  The establishment of these features will enhance and provide additional wetland functions and values such as: improved fish and wildlife habitat through provisions for increasing habitat complexity, shelter, nesting and food sources; water quality elements including sediment stabilization, flood volume storage and sequestering of pollutants; and recreation.  This site is now recognized by the federal jurisdiction as a wetland, so no development will ever occur on the mitigation property.  Eventually, as AJBP is developed, natural walking trails will be developed throughout this mitigation area.

Building One was developed with sustainable design in mind, and includes many “green” features.  Some of the sustainable highlights included in the development of Building One are: 

• Bike racks for those Tenants who choose to commute to work via heart healthy and environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
• The building is located within 1,500 linear feet of the Savage (Annapolis Junction) MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) station.  The travel distance, on foot, from the MARC station to the front door of the building is a total of 0.33 miles.  Access to public transportation is immediate and accessible.
• In an effort to promote alternative transportation twenty six preferred parking spaces (5% of the total vehicle parking capacity) have been reserved and designated for use only by hybrid vehicles or low emitting vehicles.
• The lighting was designed to prevent light pollution while still providing adequate site lighting for Tenant and visitor security, safety and comfort. 
• The landscape architect created an attractive landscape of indigenous species and groundcover while eliminating the need for an irrigation system – the landscaping is drought tolerant. 
• Over 40% of the raw materials used to make this building came from within 500 miles of the site.  Building materials and products that are extracted and manufactured within the region support two green functions: providing indigenous resources and reducing the negative environmental impacts resulting from out of region transportation. 
• During the course of construction, the contractor was able to send 83% of the construction waste to be recycled instead of land filled.
• More than 20% of the materials used in constructing the building came from recycled products.
• The building ultimately uses 40% less water than an average office building, which yields tremendous water savings.  These savings will help to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems. 
• 35% of the building’s electricity comes from certified renewable sources.
• There are occupancy sensors on the ceiling and switches on the walls.  The overhead lights in the space are designed to turn off after a designated amount of time when there is no movement sensed over time.  These sensors will assist in reducing the Building’s light pollution and wasted energy.
• All paints, carpet adhesives and sealants within the tenant spaces and the Building are “low VOC” products.  VOC products release low level toxic emissions into the air after application.  The toxins are called VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds).  Low-VOC products were used throughout the building as one more way to protect human and environmental health.
• The conference rooms each have a CO2 sensor which provide for additional fresh air if the air in the conference room gets “stale.”  In addition to providing extra comfort for the conference room users, the monitors help to save energy on cooling and dehumidification when the room is not in use.

The commitment to Sustainable Design will extend to all of the development at Annapolis Junction Business Park.