Housing Authority of the City of Decatur, Georgia wins EarthCraft Award
ATLANTA, GA - October 24, 2012 - The Housing Authority of the City of Decatur, Georgia was named Multifamily Project of the Year by Southface and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association at the EarthCraft Celebration of Excellence held at the Southface Eco Office in Atlanta. EarthCraft, the Southeast's premier green building program, promotes energy-efficient, healthy, comfortable, and durable new construction and renovation.
The Decatur Housing Authority and NorSouth Construction were honored for leadership and excellence in green building design and construction for Oliver House, a multifamily senior living development in downtown Decatur. The project exemplifies high-performance green building and includes features such as a 50 kWh photovoltaic system, a Huber Zip weather-resistant barrier, and geothermal HVAC and water heating. The award was presented by David Ellis, executive vice president of the Greater Atlanta HBA, and Dennis Creech, executive director of Southface, in the presence of over 100 industry leaders at the Southface Eco Office.
"We are seeing positive signs that the next generation of homes and light commercial buildings in our communities are increasingly green," said Southface's Dennis Creech. "Thanks to the Decatur Housing Authority for making it happen."
"EarthCraft professionals are realizing greater success than their peers because they are delivering a high-value product to the market," said David Ellis of the Greater Atlanta HBA. "We celebrate Decatur Housing Authority's vision and their leadership."
The EarthCraft program is sponsored by: Icynene, The Home Depot, Huber Zip System, WaterFurnace Geothermal, Marvin/Integrity, Johns Manville, Aeroseal Southeast, Fi-Foil, Tremco Barrier Solutions and Panasonic.
"Thanks to our sponsors for their support of EarthCraft," added Creech. "It is through their generous support of the EarthCraft program that we are transforming the market for green, affordable buildings in the Southeast - one building at a time."
About The Allen Wilson Revitalization
Oliver House is the second phase of the three phase revitalization of Allen Wilson Terrace, a former 200 unit public housing community originally built in 1941. Despite its worsening condition, this physically obsolete community enjoyed an exceptional location near downtown Decatur with immediate access to public transportation and proximity to shopping, restaurants and churches, as well as, parks, recreation and cultural facilities. The site is within two blocks of Decatur's thriving downtown government, business, and retail district including the Decatur MARTA Rail Station. Decatur Housing Authority engaged in a unique revitalization planning process that was designed to retain the residents in the area while constructing the new housing. Oliver House is a "Williamsburg Style" building with seventy- two (72) one-bedroom and eight (8) two-bedroom apartments that are designated for the elderly. The 82,419 SF four-story building is equipped with two elevators, and a portion of the first floor of the building also houses the new management / rental offices and maintenance facilities for the entire Allen Wilson property.
The Decatur Housing Authority working in conjunction with its numerous partners: Allen Wilson Residents, City of Decatur, Hudson Housing Partners, Sugar Creek Realty, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, NorSouth Constructs, HADP Architecture Inc., US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc., Southface Energy Institute, McCurdy & Candler L.L.C., Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, and Reznick Group P.C. were able make this project possible.
About Decatur Housing Authority
The Decatur Housing Authority was established in 1938 with its primary focus being on building housing for low income households. Today, the Authority's philosophy emphasizes not only providing much needed housing for the lower-income residents of our community, but also in providing our participants with the necessary tools to build better lives for themselves through self-sufficiency. Please visit www.decaturhousing.org for more information.
About EarthCraft
EarthCraft is a green building certification program designed to address climate, energy and water issues unique to the southeastern United States. EarthCraft serves as a blueprint for energy and re- source efficient single-family homes, multifamily structures, renovation projects, community developments and light-commercial buildings. Founded by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface in 1999, the EarthCraft program has certified more than 24,000 projects throughout the Southeast. Please visit www.earthcraft.org for more information.
About Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association
The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA) is a nonprofit professional trade association dedicated to promoting, protecting and preserving the homebuilding industry as a viable economic force in the Atlanta area. Please visit www.atlantahomebuilders.com for more information.
About Southface
Southface is the Southeast's non-profit leader in the promotion of sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance. Please visit Southface at www.southface.org