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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOLAR VILLAGE MAPLE PDP TYPE 1 - 23-07 - MEDIA -LET THE SUN SHINE IN 'T%4n �e_ ez Courtesy of Mark Kostovny This artist's rendering shows Solar Village Maple, a 28,500-square-foot residential -commercial project to be built at the corner of Maple and Meldrum streets. The project will include both retail and residential spaces and its signature feature will be solar awnings, or shades on the south -facing win- dows that also generate electricity. Project to harness solar power Plans include retail, residential units BY JULIETTE FARDULIS JulietteF@coloradoan.com Colorado residents boast that their state receives more than 300 days of sun annually. But most homes are not de- signed to capture its benefits to offset heating and cooling costs. Solar Village LLC is a developer making strides to change the way the sun is uti- lized. At Solar Village Maple, a new 28,500- square-foot infill project on the corner of Meldrum and Maple streets, the sun's rays are harnessed to drastically reduce utility bills for residents. Gas bills are expected to average about $20 per month, and electric about the same, said Mark Kostovny, one of the de- velopers of Solar Village. "It used to be that solar in the 1970's was a disaster," he said. "If you forgot to close your blinds in the summer, you'd come home at night to a 100degree house that you couldn't cool." Kostovny said the project's signature feature is solar awnings, shades on the south -facing windows that also generate electricity.They have a 25-year life, and in winter they do not block out the sun. "We have concrete in the floor that acts as thermal mass in every unit, trap- ping the daylight sun to heat the house at night, he said. "Solar hot water heats all units, with the gas bill going to the home- owners association to divide by each unit's usage to encourage energy -saving" Twenty-three dwelling units, called About Solar Village Maple Where: Meldrum and Maple streets Who: Fort Collins Real Estate Information: 212-9221 or www.solar villagelife.com flats, will sit atop retail space. Flats can be purchased but not rented.They will range from 900 to 1,350 square feet, with the av- erage size about 1,000 square feet. Realtor Matt Evans said the average price for a flat will be $250,000 with units ranging from $169,000 to $399,000. Re- tail spaces are about $300,000,with a few units as commercial studios for sale around $120,000. Groundbreaking is expected in Octo- ber or November with completion ex- pected nine to 12 months after that. "We envision a mix of young execu- tives and empty -nesters who don't want to worry about yard upkeep," Kostovny said."We have plenty of storage for kayaks and other supplies, as we realize we will attract an active bunch of people There will be five units categorized as artists' lofts on the first floor, which will not sit above a retail space. Kostovny en- visioned artists, photographers, CPA's or attorneys who want a studio setting to work and meet clients at street level as oc- cupants. The ground floor will house 8,000 square feet of retail space, designed for business and restaurant use. Five buildings form an interior court- yard in the center, an open space with trees and garden replete with tables and benches for outdoor dining or gathering. Walkways and a large patio will con- nect the open area to buildings, and a cen- tral elevator will avoid frequent stair climbing. There will be no stairs within each flat, unlike some lofts. Solar Village's interior materials will be utilized from sustainable products as much as possible, taken from recycled sources such as bamboo or reclaimed wood. Buildings will be energy efficient. Low - toxicity paint, glues and varnishes will be used. Recycled carpet and sustainable, property -forested materials will be used. "The carbon footprint is very low, as we are using wise materials," said Justin Larson, of JCLArchitecture in Fort Collins. JCL Architecture is a LEEDcertified company. The visual appeal of Solar Village is cus- tomized to mingle with the Old Town style. Larson said Solar Village Maple fits into O1dTown with the south face on Maple a more stoic, traditional look and it be- comes more residential as it turns toward Meldrum. Solar Village LLC has other projects in the region using solar energy, including Solar Village Prospect, near Longmont, and Solar Village Redwood in north Boul- der, a single family home project. ,-.. n{:n j IwiO4 .—