Feb 26 2008
Catellus Development Group, a ProLogis company specializing in mixed-use development, announced today that its Mueller airport redevelopment project in Austin, Texas, has been named one of the top ten best, eco-friendly neighborhoods by Natural Home, a magazine for health-conscious, environmentally concerned homeowners.
The distinction was given by the magazine following a rigorous evaluation of the nation's largest green housing developments. Natural Home rated the neighborhoods based on energy usage and application of alternative energy sources; green building aspects, including LEED certification levels achieved, and reuse of previously developed land.
"Natural Home's best eco-friendly neighborhood ranking identified communities working toward sustainability and incorporating green building, energy efficiency and land reuse," said Robyn Griggs Lawrence, editor-in-chief, Natural Home magazine. "Catellus' Mueller redevelopment incorporates sustainable, green urbanist principles throughout the project, from energy-efficient buildings to creative reuse of the deconstructed runway material. We are pleased to recognize this neighborhood as a leading green development. Forward-thinking companies like Catellus are creating communities that give environmentally concerned homeowners options for leading the sustainable lifestyles they desire."
"Sustainable development is a core business value of Catellus and we are thrilled to be recognized for our efforts in Austin," said Greg Weaver, president of Catellus. "The highly successful Mueller master plan was the result of close collaboration with the city and the community, underpinned by a regional commitment to smart growth. Execution of that vision has been highly educational and has provided Catellus with invaluable expertise in sustainable building and design. This designation is an honor, and we look forward to achieving similar success in the future as we continue to redevelop challenged land into communities that offer economic, social and environmental value."
Catellus' Mueller community, http://www.muelleraustin.com, spans 711 acres in central Austin. The site is already home to a 220,000-square-foot regional retail center; a 127,000-square-foot medical office building; and the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, a 170-bed children's hospital serving 46 counties across the state. The first phase of residential construction is currently underway, with more than 4,600 single- and multi-family units planned at full build-out. The University of Texas at Austin's Dell Pediatric Research Institute, a new children's health and biomedical research center, is scheduled to open in early 2009.
All commercial buildings at Mueller will meet or exceed a two-star energy efficiency rating from Austin Energy's Green Building Program or will be LEED certified, and all single family homes will meet or exceed a three-star energy efficiency rating.