$50-million development aims to set new benchmark for ‘green building’
FLETCHER, N.C., Dec. 10, 2007 – Green Development Partners LLC and Appalachian Energy Inc., a pioneer in renewable energy services, have partnered to develop Rivercane Village on Cane Creek, a 38-acre, mixed-use community. The unique partnership will enable Appalachian Energy to invest over $2 million in solar energy infrastructure to manage up to 80 percent of the development’s energy needs related to heating, cooling and water heating. Rivercane Village would be the largest residential application of solar thermal technology in the country.
At tonight’s town council meeting, the development group will present its proposal to build up to 400 residential units and 7,000 square feet of commercial space on the site, located between Fletcher Business Park and Cane Creek. Preliminary price points for the homes range from $100,000 to $300,000, making living at Rivercane affordable for more people.
“Rivercane provides Fletcher the opportunity to further stimulate the rebounding Cane Creek industrial area by providing quality housing, extending the greenway and advancing the Heart of Fletcher initiative,” said Tom Ryan, managing partner of Green Development Partners. “Rivercane would establish Fletcher as one of the leading centers of sustainable building and development in the U.S.”
Scott Clark, CEO of Appalachian Energy, said: “Higher initial costs can make green buildings a difficult sell to both developers and tenants, but Appalachian Energy’s contribution to the success of this development is a major benefit and sets a new standard of sustainable development with undeniable environmental benefits. When complete, the development will be in keeping with the principles of adaptive re-use and New Urbanism.”
In addition to the solar energy infrastructure, the development also calls for a mix of Healthy Built condos, town homes, live-work units and commercial space, as well as more than 20 acres of green space and direct access to the Fletcher greenway, among other environmentally sound amenities.
The Rivercane Village design team consists of Daryl Rantis Architects, Mercer Design Group, and land planning consultant and landscape architect David Tuck of Equinox Environmental.
Media contact: Jonathan Scott
(828) 337-9991;
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