Red Oak Parks in Boulder has won a prestigious award from ULI.
Boulder Housing Partners and its Red Oak Park development have won a 2012 Global Award for Excellence in Real Estate Design and Development from the Urban Land Institute.
BHP executive director Betsey Martens accepted the award Friday morning at ULI’s 75th anniversary national conference in Denver that ends today.
Red Oak Park was selected as one of 14 global winners from among a broad mix of exemplary projects from around the world, according to Randall K. Rowe, chairman of the ULI Urban Open Space Award Jury. He also is chairman of Green Courte Partners LLC.
Red Oak Park was the only winner from Colorado. Other winners were from other cities in the U.S., Australia, China, Canada, Vietnam, England, France and Malta.
“We’re honored that Red Oak Park would be recognized not only as a model of affordable housing, but among smart growth developments of all kinds,” Martens said. “It is a project that sets high standards for design, community and sustainability – even in the context of affordability.”
Red Oak Park was formerly a mobile home park located on Valmont between 28th and Folsom streets. Today it includes 59 single family, duplex and triplex affordable housing units that opened in August, 2011.
All the units are classified as 100 percent affordable, with rents approximately 20 percent to 50 percent less than similar units in Boulder.
Boulder-based Coburn Development was the project architect.
The new homes have many green and energy-efficient features to reduce their environmental impact and help reduce utility costs for residents, including highly efficient walls and windows, efficient heating and cooling systems and Energy Star appliances.
The development is close to bike lanes and bus routes. It features a community center for youth programs and neighborhood events, and a playground for young families. BHP has partnered with CLACE, a nonprofit that provides multicultural workshops and art, science and math activities for families and youth.
A free community wireless network was recently activated.
“Residents now have access to information and resources to support job searches, education, childcare and more,” Martens said.
The sustainable aspects are appealing to residents.
“I love living here, and what I like most are the solar panels,” said Shirley Cheatham, who is retired and lives there.
Cheatham says that her heating and electric bills are $8.42 per month and she has saved enough energy units over the summer to heat her home this winter.
“Boulder is leading the way nationally in the development of solar energy,” said Mayor Matthew Appelbaum. “Boulder Housing Partners and their award-winning sustainable communities are showing how solar is integral in our community development efforts to benefit all of our citizens.”
For a list of the winners: Urban Land Institute
To learn more about the Boulder neighborhood, please visit this 8z Real Estate link.
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