Project of the Month: Destiny USA aims to be sixth largest mall in America, and first in green initiatives

Destiny USA, the 850,000 s/f expansion currently being developed onto Carousel Center, is achieving new heights of green business and shopping center development. The new facility is focused on combining environmental sustainability while generating economic development, a feat that Destiny USA is set to succeed. The building is on track to become one of the largest LEED Gold certified buildings in the country, with all 100 tenants within the structure LEED certified as well. Their latest green initiatives include the conservation and recycling of water, and the use of recycled materials within the expansion, particularly with the flooring. The floors within the new expansion are made of crushed walnut shells and cork, a rapidly renewable product. The development of a "cool" roof with refracting technology along with 23,000 tons of 95% recycled steel hold up the facility. Wind turbines atop the roof are also being used to study their effect on conserving energy. An efficient trash and recycling system is being implemented throughout the expansion and Carousel Center. Destiny USA is consistently searching for new and innovative green ideas to implement into the new facility. When it opens in the spring of 2012, Destiny USA will include a series of luxury outlets, restaurants, and entertainment venues unique to the New York region. It has a distinctive mix of tenants, including entertainment, dining, and outlet retail, that has never been assembled before and provides exclusive access for regional visitors to visit new stores that are unique to this marketplace. Most recently, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill was announced as a new restaurant to be located on the third floor of the expansion. The new series of stores and entertainment venues will create an estimated 1,600 jobs in addition to the 3,400 employees currently working within Carousel Center. A study done by Oxford economics projected that visits will increase from 20 million annual visits to 29 annual visits upon opening. This will make Destiny USA the 6th largest shopping destination in the country, and continue to be one of the top 10 destinations to visit in New York State. It will attract a wide variety of consumer groups including Canadian shoppers, University students, outlet shoppers, and 5.5 million residents across Upstate New York.