Pathfinders Engineers and Architects LLP

County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency

Formed in 1998, Pathfinders Engineers and Architects LLP provides sustainable design in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and energy engineering as well as facilities architecture for clients in both the private and public sectors.  Over the past 11 years, the company has grown to a staff of 30 engineers, architects and designers, including 14 LEED Accredited Professionals and had outgrown its existing location in a suburb of Rochester, New York.

Project Need(s)
Since nearly all of Pathfinder’s work is LEED related, basic certification was a “must” for the new headquarters. LEED Gold however, provides additional esteem to a project. Achieving that Gold certification requires additional upfront investment. This incremental investment was not within Pathfinder’s budget for the project.

Project Solution
The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency worked with Pathfinder to secure the Green JobsPlus Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes agreement.  This innovative program provides an enhanced real property tax abatement for LEED certified buildings.  In addition to COMIDA, Pathfinder utilized incentives provided by NYSERDA and the City of Rochester.  This package of incentives enabled the company to undertake the additional investment necessary for Gold certification.
 
In February 2009, Pathfinder celebrated the official ribbon cutting for its new home in the historic Corn Hill neighborhood of the City of Rochester.  The building features high efficiency lighting, heating and cooling; heat recovery from ventilation; improved ventilation; ultra-low flow plumbing fixtures; instantaneous water heaters; improved day lighting; ADA compliance and more.