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First AARP-NAHB ‘Livable Communities’ Honored
 Five winners ― builders in Tucson, Ariz. and Atlanta; a developer in Raleigh, N.C.; a developer in Atlanta and a land trust community in Madison, Wis. — were named the industry’s first recipients of the Livable Community Awards during ceremonies in Washington, D.C. last week.
The awards, co-sponsored by AARP and NAHB, were created to shine a spotlight on builders, remodelers and developers who build homes and communities with features that improve everyday comfort, safety and personal independence for those who live in them.
“We’re in the business of creating livable communities that attract people and make them feel warm,” said Bill Slenker, of Slenker Communities an active adult community builder based in Springfield, Va., who announced the winners at the National Housing Center on Dec. 11.
Livable communities are not just about the home, they are also about the surrounding area, transportation and access to shopping and recreation, added Elinor Ginzler, director of AARP’s livable communities program.
The winners were:
- John Wesley Miller, John Wesley Miller Companies, Tucson, Ariz. for Amory Park del Sol
Amory Park del Sol is a 99-lot community on 13.98 acres. The community blends the area’s traditional and historical neighborhood with modern living features. The homes feature universal design principles, such as no-step entry and wide doorways as well as wide community sidewalks.
- Roy Wendt, Wendt Builders Inc., Snellville, Ga. for Olde Town Grayson
Olde Town Grayson is a 100-unit gated 50+ community near Atlanta planned and built to be safe, comfortable and accessible. The wining cottage-style designed, low-maintenance home features a no-step entry, open floor plan, task lighting, kitchen drawers instead of cabinets and as much natural light as possible. The master bathroom was built with barrier-free showers and Jacuzzi tubs.
- Peggy Ann and David Mackowski, Quality Design & Construction, Raleigh, N.C. for Ann’s Ridge Road Dream Home
Honored in the remodeling category, Quality Design & Construction completed a full house remodel for a client who wanted to convert a partially neglected duplex she owned into a single-family dream home. The extensive remodel included a no-step entrance, an open floor plan with no hallways, a zero-clearance shower, higher toilet, a kitchen with pull-out drawers and large-handled cabinetry and energy-efficient appliances, and heating and cooling that cut energy usage in half while substantially increasing the home owner’s living space.
- Vicki Lundy Wilbon, The Integral Group, Atlanta for College Town at West End
Built in a historic district, the mixed-use and mixed-income community includes a building for seniors with a range of affordability options, green space with a water feature and community spaces — including a library, game room and lounge. The senior apartments are supported by a resident services director who engages community members and organizes activities for the seniors.
- Greg Rosenberg, Madison Area Community Land Trust, Madison, Wis. for Troy Gardens
The trust developed a 30-unit co-housing community on 31 acres for mixed-income housing. About 15 minutes from downtown Madison by bicycle, the community includes 26 acres of open space, including a restored prairie, a community garden and working farm, an “urban chicken coop” and wildlife habitat. All 30 units were built using universal design and green elements.
Each winner gave a personal presentation of their project and later received their award at a special dinner ceremony.
For more information about the 2007 Livable Communities Award winners, click here on the AARP Web site.
Read profiles of each winning project in upcoming issues of Nation’s Building News. The series begins with a story on Amory Park del Sol in this issue.
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