Green Homes To Break National Ground
Construction is set to begin on the Lorraine Leland affordable, workforce housing project on Wednesday. The 25-townhome project is being touted as the first in the nation to offer affordable, net-zero energy homes.
Crews are set to break ground Wednesday on an unkempt parcel in Dunedin that will become the first certified net-zero energy, workforce housing project in the nation.
When it is finished, Eco Village shall feature 25, two-level townhomes designed to produce as much energy as they use. They will be equipped with solar panels, power-saving appliances, LED lighting and home energy management systems, a county news release says.
The Lorraine Leland Project, as it is better known, began in 2007, when Dunedin Housing Authority donated the land to the Pinellas County Land Trust.
The development is being constructed just one block south of the Habitat for Humanity Shady Grove Townhomes at Howell Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. They will range in size from 1,100 to 1,500 square feet and sell for approximately $135,000 to $175,000, the release says.
The homes will be labeled as workforce housing and "marketed to 'hometown heroes,' including local hospital employees, school teachers, government employees or service workers," Audra Butler, Dunedin Housing Authority spokeswoman, said in her Local Vocies blog on Dunedin Patch in April.
The new homes will not be public housing, and no government subsidy will be available, she adds.
The project is slated for completion in early 2013, the county says.
Eco Village is the result of a partnership between the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, Planet Green Group, Eco Construction, GE, Algatec Solar,MESH Architecture and the city of Dunedin.
Jayne Krakowiak
10:51 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
WOW! This took outstanding persistance - glad they are finally breaking ground! It will be nice to see solar panels in use & hopefully an inspiration for their use on more FL buildings. FL is so behind the times w/ little integration of renewable energy sources! All this strong solar power going to waste is a real sin!
Bob Gallo
10:51 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
This is fantasitic and I hope this initiative can lead towards more affordable retrofitting of existing housing stock across Dunedin. Why not make all of Dunedin an example of energy efficiency and/or independence? Will it be possible for these home to charge electric vehicles too? Thanks for sharing the news Patch.
Ron Barnette
4:25 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
I am very excited about this net-zero project in our hometown, and look forward to hearing more detailed plans. As one who cherishes Dunedin's commitment to 'green' development and environmental sensitivity, this project could well become a model for workforce housing nationally.What a wonderful commitment and statement!
Ron Barnette
Vice Mayor in Dunedin
Rebecca Wellborn
9:07 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
As a real estate professional, I am really proud to see my city on the forefront of green building technology. Not only that, this will add much needed housing stock for young professionals and families. I can't wait to see the floorplans and interior finishes. I hope there is room for a community garden.
Cuppajava
5:54 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
We have been looking all over Florida for this kind of affordable green housing...and we live in Dunedin! Wow, we'd love to stay here. What qualifies you to buy one of the units?
Valerie J. Amor
9:08 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
Congratulations we need to see more partnerships like this.