Media Center - Florida Realtors®

Contact:

Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2314
JeffZ@far.org

Marla Martin, Communications Manager
407/438-1400, ext. 2326
MarlaM@far.org

Be the ENVY of All: Win Florida Association of Realtors® Environmental (ENVY) Award

ORLANDO, Fla., April 2004 -- LDon’t wait to enter the Florida Association of Realtors®’ (FAR) 19th Annual Environmental Award program, or you may be green with ENVY when the winner is chosen. Popularly known as the “ENVY” award, it recognizes one commercial and one residential development that preserves Florida’s natural quality of life.

By entering the competition, residential and commercial developers may be recognized for making the most significant contribution toward building in harmony with Florida’s sensitive environment.

Last year’s ENVY winner for residential development was Harmony, a new conservation residential community east of St. Cloud in Osceola County. Judges praised Harmony for its commitment to the environment, which includes preserving more than 6,000 acres -- about 70 percent of the development -- in their original state. The community sits amid 11,000 acres of wilderness highlighted by a wide array of wildlife, two natural 500-acre lakes, and miles of trails.

Some of the other environmentally-concerned developments named as past ENVY Award winners include: World Golf Village, Solivita, Amelia Island Plantation, Rosemary Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Town of Tioga, Eagle Harbor, Indian River Club, Haile Plantation, Viera, and Grand Harbor.

The winner in each category will receive recognition at FAR’s Annual Convention and Trade Show in August, a hand-crafted Lucite trophy 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 Tuesday, July 6, 2004.

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) access to surrounding environment; (5) common area access and usefulness; (6) streets, pedestrian and bicycle access; (7) drainage as a design feature; (8) utility design; and (9) marketability.

JUDGING CRITERIA: Residential: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) blending with surrounding environment; (3) family safety; (4) family recreation; (5) common area (playgrounds, nature trails, etc.); (6) streets; (7) drainage; (8) sanitation; (9) utility design; and (10) 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 Tuesday, July 6, 2003. 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 website at http://media.living.net.

The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 100,000 members in 70 boards/associations.