I was one of only 3 local Austin area EcoBrokers® to attend the special EcoBrokers® tour of the green Mueller development in Austin, Texas December 4th. Located between 51st and Airport at IH 35, look for the blue metal mesh solar sunflowers along IH 35. These solar energy producing flowers are the largest public art project in Austin's history. I personally am glad the pink buffalos did not win the contest as I do not think they spit out clean energy. Mueller was the site of the old Austin Airport, hence it is a brownfield project. Mueller is on the cutting edge of 2 modern planning trends- New Urbanism and Green Building. Mueller is an innovative mixed use development consisting of residential, retail as well as commercial and is considered a TOD (Transit Oriented Development). The Capital Metro Commuter light rail line will begin its runs in March 2009, going from Leander to downtown Austin. Connector Rail and bus will service Mueller. All Mueller buildings- whether commercial or residential must be certified under the U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC (new construction) Green Building Standard or Austin Energy's Green Building Standard. All commercial must have at least a 2 star rating but many are way above. Home Depot for instace, has a 4 star rating. Austin Energy has an on-site power plant that helps in the Mueller Green certifications and of course, helps the environment using natural gas, recapturing the steam byproduct as well as using a chilled water system.
The 2009 Parade of Homes will showcase 5 Mueller Austin Energy green building five-star rated homes (the highest rating). The architects involved are Barley & Pfeiffer, Architecture 365, Cornerstone Group Architects, Michael Hsu Design & Texas Four Star Architects. The Parade homes are $1 million or more and 3,000 to 4,500 sq. ft. What is amazing is that the beginning price point at Mueller is $120,000. and are available through a shared appreciation program with a soft second lien. So far, homes from the $120's to over $700k have sold.
Mueller includes (or will include) a restored blackland prairie area, ultimately a 5 mile hike and bike trail, a 24 hour Town Center- an entertainment district including shops, eateries, & entertainment venues; a 30 acre lake park; 140 acres of public space (which is 1/5th of community) for greenbelts & parks, fields, trails and plazas; amphitheatre. Mueller is designed to be a walkable, get out and enjoy the community community- dog-walkers, bikers, joggers & baby strollers as well as diversity are welcome! You don't have to get in your car and drive accross town when you live at Mueller. The "green necklace" around the perimeter of Mueller will also connect with many other parks and trails of Austin such as Patterson & Bartholomew Parks and Morris Williams Golf Course.
Employment Centers will include the University of Texas, the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas and the Austin Studios film production complex.
Betty Saenz REALTOR® EcoBroker®, GRI, SRES®
http://www.texasgreenhomes.net/
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Excellent synopsis of the green development in Mueller Austin. We're so lucky to have 50% of the green space already available, with less than 10% of the homes.
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