Marla Martin, Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 2314
Be the ENVY of All: Win Florida Association of Realtors’® Environmental (ENVY) Award
ORLANDO, Fla., April 29, 2008 – Don’t wait to enter the Florida Association of Realtors®’ (FAR) annual Environmental Award program, or you may be green with ENVY when the winner is chosen. Popularly known as the “ENVY” award, the honor goes to a development that best preserves Florida’s natural quality of life. The award may be given in two categories: one for residential development and one for commercial development.
By entering the competition, residential and commercial developers may be recognized for making this year’s most significant contribution toward building in harmony with Florida’s sensitive environment.
Verandah, a master-planned community located on almost 1,500 acres along the Orange River in Fort Myers, won the 2006 ENVY award for residential development. The Bonita Bay Group serves as developers for Verandah, which opened for sales in February 2003.
Judges praised this development for the efforts taken to preserve the area's natural elements, such as setting aside nearly 70 percent of its land for open spaces, including nature preserves, parks, lakes and a conservation buffer for the riverfront. They noted that Verandah was the state's "pioneer" in demonstrating how a community can be planned and developed following environmentally sustainable and green building practices. The development also received Florida's first green development designation from the Florida Green Building Coalition, which recognizes the community's commitment to responsible site development, natural resource and wildlife conservation, and green building practices.
Some of the other environmentally-concerned developments named as past ENVY Award winners include: Lakewood Ranch, Wild Heron, Harmony, World Golf Village, Solivita, Amelia Island Plantation, Rosemary Beach and Viera.
The winner in each category will receive a hand-crafted Lucite trophy, recognition at FAR’s annual Convention and Trade Show, Sept. 24-28, 2008, and statewide news coverage as Florida’s top environmentally-conscious builder. The competition is judged by three distinguished environmental and planning professionals. The entry deadline is Monday, July 7, 2008.
ELIGIBILITY: All Florida commercial developments are eligible. Also, all planned residential developments with a minimum of 30 residential units in Florida qualify. Residential developments must be currently available for marketing and must include a model home.
JUDGING CRITERIA: Commercial: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) architectural compatibility; (3) design in scale and context with surrounding environment; (4) open space and access/usability of surrounding environment; (5) common area access and usefulness; (6) streets, pedestrian and bicycle access; (7) drainage as a design feature; and (8) marketability.
JUDGING CRITERIA: Residential: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) landscaping/compatibility with surrounding environment; (3) design in scale and context with surrounding environment; (4) open space and access/usability of open space; (5) family recreation and common areas (playgrounds, nature trails, etc.); (6) streets and safety features; (7) drainage; and (8) marketability.
SUBMISSION: There is no entry limit and no cost to enter. Simply organize a three-ring notebook with the following material in this order: (1) a written overview of the development (maximum of four pages, typed, double spaced, on 8.5" by 11" paper); (2) supporting material and photographs that address the judging criteria in order as listed above — no videotapes or slides; and (3) a complete set of land development plans and other supporting data. All entry materials will be returned after judging.
DEADLINE: All entries must be received at FAR’s headquarters by Monday, July 7, 2008. Send submissions to ENVY Award, Florida Association of Realtors, 7025 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822-5017.
For more information about the ENVY award, call 407-438-1400, ext. 2326. To obtain this release or for additional media releases from FAR, go to the Florida Association of Realtors' Media Center Web site at http://media.floridarealtors.org.
The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation for its 125,000 members in 67 local boards/associations.
