www.SanTanSun.com
Business
Jan. 19 - Feb. 1, 2008 13
Street of Dreams, City going green
by Sharon Schnakenburg Visitors will see the latest in appliances, furniture and
Though some are bearish on the current design. They will also preview the latest in high-tech
real estate market, one local builder is televisions, computers, sound systems and voice-
feeling bullish these days. Ward Real activated alarm systems, heating and cooling.
Estate & Development owner Scott Ward One of Finisterra’s most important features,
is determined to continue building custom however, is its energy efficiency, Ward says.
homes, particularly his environment- “The key for the Street of Dreams is that it’s really
friendly Street of Dreams. Meanwhile, going to be an energy symposium. All of these homes
the City of Chandler is developing its own
Submitted photo
will be the highest level of green-built products.”
Green Building Program, which could offer
GREEN LIGHT: Ward Development’s custom homes are going energy efficient
green.
incentives to encourage developers like Going green good for city
Ward to build “green.” insulation system, solar electric systems to power Ward isn’t the only one concerned with going green.
A former history teacher in Wisconsin and at West the house without electricity, dual-paned windows, The City of Chandler is working to develop its Green
High in Phoenix, Ocotillo resident Ward started Ward energy-efficient doors and zoned air-conditioning Building Program for private development. Future
Real Estate & Development in 1997, with 16 years of systems. incentives might include green builder recognition,
Realtor and 13 years of broker experience under his “You can have a bedroom that’s not air conditioned faster plan reviews, technical assistance for building
belt at the time. at the time that you’re in the kitchen,” he explains. green and educational opportunities, says Jason
“I had been working for other people, and I The air-conditioner also has a high-speed Seasonal Crampton, city planner. The Program’s staff plans to
had always wanted to open up my own real estate Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) to boost efficiency. take their proposals to the City Council for adoption
development company,” he says. in late spring or early summer.
Undaunted by the present real estate climate – “I’ve New subdivision “dream” come true “Sustainability is vital to the City, and green building
been through three of these corrections” – Ward and What will likely become Ward Real Estate & is one aspect of a more sustainable city,” Crampton
his company specialize in custom homes. Development’s most visible subdivision is the Street says.
“We sell custom lots where people come in and buy of Dreams at Finisterra, located south of Ocotillo Road Meanwhile, the City’s new city hall is striving for
a custom home lot, bring in their own builder and between Val Vista and Lindsay roads. Finisterra’s LEED Gold Certification, and Crampton hopes green
build a custom home,” he explains. homes feature modern Tuscan, English Tudor, French building will increase overall in Chandler, in spite of
Custom home subdivisions by Ward are located in Tudor, hacienda, Old World Italian and Santa Barbara any perceived financial issues.
Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa and Buckeye. designs, ranging from 4,200 to 8,600 square feet and “While green building may incur slightly higher
They include Santa Vallarta in the SanTan Mountains selling for $1.2 to $3.5 million. upfront costs, many of these costs will likely be
south of Hunt Highway between Sossaman and A national luxury home advertising company chose recouped in a short period of time. As the market for
Power roads, the gated Santan Vista II development at Finisterra for its 2009 Street of Dreams event over 20 green products grows, the cost premium of building
Arizona Avenue and Hunt Highway, and Crown Point other communities vying for the title statewide. green may reduce, creating a market in which it would
at Ocotillo, among others. “We were very fortunate, very lucky to be selected,” be foolish to not build green,” he concludes.
Ward’s Acacia Estates at San Tan Boulevard says Ward.
and Higley Road boasts the only Leadership in The Street of Dreams celebration will showcase a
Sharon Schnakenburg is a freelance reporter who can be
Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certified seven-lot cul-de-sac within the 52-lot development for
reached at Sharon@SanTanSun.com.
“green” home in Gilbert, according to Ward. Its six weeks beginning in Feb. 2009, offering the public
energy-efficient features include a cocooned thermal an opportunity to visit the homes for $12 a ticket.
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76