Sustainability Amid Unstable Supply Chains

How do you bring sustainability to a market with an unstable supply chain? That’s a question Mark Kerman, senior director of construction services at Greystar, wrestles with constantly as he looks to advance the company’s sustainability objectives.

In 2021, his company set some ambitious goals to cement its commitment to addressing and minimizing sustainability risks and environmental impacts. The company said it would evaluate and implement capital improvements and new technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and increase the resilience of its communities when faced with natural disasters and other disruptions. The goal also includes reducing the company’s energy and water usage, emissions, and waste by one percent each year and five percent every five years, on a rolling basis.

Those would’ve been lofty goals even before the pandemic, which had a domino effect on material costs, supply chain issues, and labor shortages in the construction workforce. But in the face of those challenges, Kerman, who manages construction and capital planning for Greystar’s properties, hasn’t wavered.

He has directed various efforts to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through the installation of small, combined heat and power (CHP) systems in some of Greystar’s properties. CHP produces electricity and thermal energy at high efficiencies using a range of technologies and fuels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. He has also overseen the installation of lighting upgrades, traditional and innovative heating plant control systems, and education programs for property occupants. On top of that, he’s led his team to executing the largest oil to natural gas conversion project in New York City.

Those accomplishments were made possible in part by his leadership style. He looks to support his team in any way he can by giving them the tools they need to achieve their goals. He developed those vital skills at Columbia University, where he worked for over thirty years as an AVP, director of operations, and AVP of residential and commercial operations.

In the former role he managed over 5,000 construction projects of residential, commercial, medical, retail, and academic spaces while supervising more than 300 employees. In the latter role, his responsibilities grew as he oversaw the completion of 500 construction projects and 40,000 preventative maintenance and repair requests, as well supervising more than 400 employees.

The company’s strides on the sustainability front have also been supported by some of its other efforts. With its Greystar Green awards program, the company calls on its associates, owner clients, and residents to develop more sustainable practices to lessen environmental impacts. It urges them to turn to sustainability practices, such as using recycled products, supporting carpooling and alternative transportation, and improving indoor environmental quality. The program records changes made at each of Greystar’s communities to track their impact.

Sustainability and abundant greenspace were huge factors behind the design of a 396-unit garden-style multi-family development in Austin, Texas, that broke ground in February 2023, according to Multi-Housing News. The community, located by Tesla’s Gigafactory and global headquarters, will include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Interiors will feature stainless steel appliances and high-end features. The property will also include a dog park, a beer garden, a swimming pool, pickleball court, and a fitness lawn. The community is slated for completion by end of year.

“We’re really excited to be able to bring Interport to the Del Valle neighborhood, an area of Austin that has an immense need for housing,” Alex Perkins, director of development at Greystar, told Multifamilybiz. “The community itself will feature a large clubhouse with indoor-outdoor fitness and coworking spaces. Given the community’s proximity to Tesla’s Headquarters, sustainability and ample greenspace were major driving forces behind the design. This area is ripe for growth, and we are excited to help pave the path for other major developments to come.”