Sustainable Design Blog

Building of Ranch cancer support facility delayed, Bradenton Herald

By RICHARD DYMOND - rdymond@bradenton.com

LAKEWOOD RANCH - Seven months ago, The Wellness Community broke ground on its new $8.2 million healing facility in Lakewood Ranch, called, appropriately enough, Building Hope, because it administers spirited support to anyone with cancer.

The plan was for The Wellness Community to sell its building on Clark Road in Sarasota and move into a new 11,200-square-foot "green" building built by Willis Smith Construction late this summer.

The building would sit on five acres at 5481 Communications Parkway and include 2.2 acres of gardens.

But due to a slowdown in donations, construction hasn't started, said Jay Lockaby, executive director of The Wellness Community.

The project needs $40,000 to meet Harris Private Bank of Chicago's cash-on-hand requirement of $1.85 million so a bond can be issued to start construction, Lockaby said Wednesday.

"We could be operational in a year," Lockaby said. "We hit a wall. We had great success leading into last winter. We raised $2.5 million from last March to November. Since that time, it's been thin."

Between cash-in-hand, pledges and the anticipated value of its Clark Road headquarters, The Wellness Center has about $6 million and needs about $2.2 million to finish the project, Lockaby added.

Read the rest at Bradenton Herald.com

The Wellness Community Building Hope

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HGTV Green Home 2009 Earns EPA’s Indoor AirPlus and Energy Star Labels

(Washington, D.C. – May 14, 2009) The Home and Garden Television (HGTV) Green Home 2009 has earned EPA’s Indoor AirPlus and Energy Star labels. Indoor AirPlus qualified homes include all the features consumers would normally want in a new home, plus moisture control, radon control, pest barriers, improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, low emitting materials and independent verification.  

The home is located in Port St.Lucie, Fla., and its Energy Star and AirPlus labels mean the home will have the latest technology for a healthier living environment.

As with all Indoor AirPlus labeled homes, the HGTV Green Home includes more than 30 home design and construction features to help protect homeowners from a host of health problems associated with poor indoor air quality, including eye irritation, allergies, headaches, and respiratory problems such as asthma.

The Indoor AirPlus Program is a partnership among EPA, builders, standards verification organizations, utilities, and public health and indoor environmental organizations to improve indoor air in new homes. To earn the Indoor AirPlus label, a home must meet strict EPA guidelines insuring good indoor air quality as well as Energy Star guidelines that typically make them 20 to 30 percent more efficient than standard homes.

More information about Indoor AirPlus: http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus

More information about Energy Star: http://www.energystar.gov

HGTV 2009 Green Home

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COTTONWOOD COVE MARINA PROJECT FEATURED IN BOATING INDUSTRY.COM

by Boating-Indursty.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Scottsdale-based Forever Resorts has developed the nation’s first LEED certified floating green building, the company reported today in a release. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to help promote environmentally friendly design.

The project is underway at Nevada’s Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina on Lake Mohave, just south of Las Vegas. Upon completion, Forever Resorts says the structure will be submitted to become the first floating LEED certified structure in the nation. 

Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina recently registered the boat rental and marina service for construction, Forever Resorts said, and details will be unveiled during the Green Marina Launch on May 29 at 2 p.m.

“Forever Resorts has long been committed to preservation and environmental practices, and we couldn’t be more excited to make history by developing a building that embraces the eco-friendly principles we support,” said John Schoppmann, executive vice president of Forever Resorts.

The new green building is set to replace a 30-year-old structure and moorage for more than 220 vessels. In partnership with the National Park Service, Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina will strive to attain the highest LEED certification possible. The project is is scheduled for completion in summer 2009.

“This project will raise the bar for all green marinas,” said Collette Carter, general manager of Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina. “The teams working on our project are incorporating the newest and most innovative products available. In fact, some of these materials and products will be used for the first time ever in the construction of this building.”

The floating structure will feature sustainable modular construction and state-of-the-art energy-efficient and environmentally responsible materials, fixtures and operations practices, according to Forever Resorts.
Click Here to read about the LEED seeking Marina project  
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MICHAEL CARLSON TO SPEAK AT THE GREEN WORLD CAFE

Michael Carlson, AIA, LEED AP, of Carlson Studio Architecture will be presenting the HGTV Green Home 2009. Located in Port St. Lucie, FL and designed by Carlson Studio Architecture, this 2400-square-foot LEED for Homes Platinum-certified home is expected to attract more than 20 million entries during the 8-week giveaway period. It is only 1 of 4 LEED Platinum Homes in Florida. From the outset, designers, energy experts, and construction specialists all worked together to develop a comprehensive approach to the project. Through charrettes, design coordination meetings, and complete team involvement, innovative ideas were created. The premier of the HGTV broadcast showcasing the home first aired on April 19, 2009. The show producers were determined to demonstrate that being green doesn't have to be "extreme." Join us May 11 as Michael shares more about their experience with the HGTV project.

Carlson Studio Marketing is sponsoring the event.

May 11 at the Green World Café event in Sarasota at the Bayfront Community Center (behind the Municipal Auditorium, entrance on Van Wezel Way).

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