Marla Martin, Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 2314

Realtors'® Environmental Award Deadline Looms

ORLANDO, Fla., June 2006 -- Want to recognize an environmentally conscious Florida builder or developer, one whose projects prove that responsible growth and environmental protection can co-exist? Then remind builders to enter to win the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) annual Environmental Award, popularly known as the ENVY, before the July 7, 2006, deadline.

FAR introduced the ENVY Awards 20 years ago, but the issues of growth management and environmental preservation continue to concern all Floridians today. Last year’s ENVY winner for residential development was Lakewood Ranch, a master-planned conservation community located on 7,000 acres spanning Sarasota and Manatee counties. Lakewood Ranch now has the distinction of being the only development to win FAR's ENVY awards in both the commercial and residential categories. It won the commercial ENVY award in 1999.

Judges praised the community for preserving natural elements, including providing generous greenways, a 451-acre wetland preserve, a 110-acre nature preserve and 400 acres of man-made lakes. In addition, they noted that Lakewood Ranch has received "green building" certification from the Florida Green Building Coalition, which recognizes the development's effort to build homes that are more cost-effective to own and maintain and are friendlier to the environment. It is the largest master-planned community in Florida to earn this designation.

It is now time to honor another environmentally responsible development. The 2006 ENVY Award winners will be announced during FAR’s annual Convention & Trade Expo, held Sept. 13-17, 2006, at the Westin Diplomat Resort in Hollywood. Environmental and planning professionals will judge the contest, awarding a handcrafted Lucite trophy to the ENVY winners for residential and/or commercial development. In addition, the winners will be featured in statewide news coverage.

ELIGIBILITY: All Florida commercial developments are eligible, and all planned residential developments with at least 30 residential units qualify. Residential developments must also be currently available for marketing and 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 Friday, July 7, 2006. 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.

Click here to view a chart with the names of previous ENVY Award winners.

Printable pdf version.

The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its nearly 155,000 members in 68 boards/associations.

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