LEED Gold: Harvey Milk Terminal
October 5, 2026
- Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major modernization project built around modern design and passenger comfort.
- Construction moved in phases, so parts of the terminal opened while work continued and airport operations kept running.
- The terminal is among the first U.S. airport terminals to achieve LEED Gold certification, and Channel Lumber provided materials throughout various phases of the project.
Phased Construction Kept SFO Moving
Building the terminal was a massive undertaking that brought together architects, engineers, and contractors. The terminal was designed with sustainability and passenger comfort in mind, and it features modern amenities and cutting-edge technology. Plans for the new Terminal 1 included a consolidated security checkpoint, newly designed waiting areas, modernized concessions, and a state of the art baggage handling system.
Construction was completed in phases, allowing parts of the terminal to open while work continued. This approach minimized disruptions to airport operations, so SFO could keep serving millions of passengers throughout the construction period.
LEED Gold Sets the Terminal Apart
Harvey Milk Terminal 1 became one of the first airport terminals in the United States to achieve LEED Gold certification, reflecting its environmentally conscious design. The completed terminal marked a milestone in SFO's ongoing modernization. Today it serves as a hub for domestic flights and is known for spacious, light-filled interiors and passenger-friendly features.
Planning a LEED project in the Bay Area? Channel Lumber offers custom mill work and a deep lumber inventory for projects of every scale. Contact Channel Lumber to discuss FSC and LEED materials for your next project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does LEED certification evaluate?
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED provides third-party verification of green building projects across design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to reach different levels of certification, with Gold among them.
Can Channel Lumber supply FSC material for a LEED project?
Yes. Channel Lumber holds FSC License code FSC-C023841, which allows it to supply FSC material in compliance with LEED criteria, either mill direct or from its FSC inventory. Working with Channel Lumber in pre-construction can help with Value Engineering for the permanently installed wood products required for the MRc-7 and MRc-5 credits.
Where does Channel Lumber deliver?
From its 14-acre facility in Richmond, Channel Lumber runs the largest lumber delivery fleet in the Bay Area, serving clients from Santa Rosa to Santa Cruz, Stockton to San Francisco, and everywhere in between. Trucks carry GPS units so dispatch can track each delivery.


