It's not a new concept in terms of office or residential design and development, but more and more retailers are demanding their stores and shopping centers be built according to LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) design guidelines issued by the U.S. Green Building Council.

With energy and construction costs continuously rising, retailers and developers find the long-term cost saving is worth the initial 2 percent to 5 percent increase in costs to build a so-called green shopping center.

Based in Burbank, Talbert Development Inc. is building two multimillion-dollar sustainable projects in the Coachella Valley -- one in Rancho Mirage and the other in La Quinta. Talbert Development president Dick Talbert declined to release construction costs but said to be Gold LEED-certified would add 2.5 percent to the cost of developing each project.

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The Shoppes at La Quinta will feature cool-roof technology and electric refueling stations for golf carts and electric cars.

With just 200 "green" retail centers in the country, these two projects will be the first eco-friendly commercial developments to be built in the Coachella Valley.

"We are extremely proud to move toward this achievement in LEED certification," Talbert said. "We design and build with a commitment to high-quality materials, green building techniques and a responsibility to the communities we serve."

Expected to break ground in June, the 50,000-square-foot Shoppes of La Quinta will be built on 4 acres off Washington Street at Avenue 48. It will also be a Gold LEED pre-certified project by the Washington, D.C.-based USGBC.

Talbert said the project was still being heard by the city's Planning Commission.

Some of La Quinta's anticipated LEED certification features include 20 percent to 40 percent energy savings over existing buildings, cool-roof technology, ultra-high-efficiency air-conditioning units, low E2 double-pane windows, high insulated walls, drip irrigation, and on-site electric refueling stations for golf carts and cars.

"Sustainability is not a new concept in our industry," said Steven J. Ruth, executive vice president of Perkowitz + Ruth Architects in Long Beach, who designed The Shoppes of La Quinta. "It started many years ago as developers of housing and office (buildings) looked to find ways to conserve the environment."

Among the environmentally friendly projects used in office construction that are making their way into retail are the use of solar panels to generate electricity, recycled water in toilets, motion-activated room lights and bamboo flooring products.

"It's been more complicated to introduce these new technologies into a retail environment, because traditionally retailers were looking for a quicker return on their investment," Ruth explained. "But things are changing as companies who used to say, 'I'm not looking to build green,' are now approving green stores as prices for sustainable building materials have gotten more competitive."

Talbert Development is also building The Shoppes of Rancho Mirage just off Highway 111 and Country Club Drive in Rancho Mirage. The company is expected to break ground on the development in December, he said.

Among the LEED certification features of The Shoppes of Rancho Mirage, which were designed by Charles Martin Architect in Palm Desert, are 20 percent to 40 percent energy savings over existing buildings; higher employee productivity due to a cleaner, more comfortable interior environment; low-toxicity paints, adhesives and sealants; cool-roof technology that keeps roofs up to 70 degrees cooler; and dual flush toilets to reduce water consumption up to 20 percent.

"This smart-growth design and LEED destination is good business," added Talbert. "We plan to set an example in the commercial building industry in the Coachella Valley by reducing resource consumption and protecting the quality of life in the community, while building innovative and sustainable projects."

The 50,000-square-foot center is expected to open in July.