Enter to Win Florida Realtors(R) Environmental (ENVY) Award

ORLANDO, Fla., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Don't wait to enter Florida Realtors® annual Environmental Award program, or you may be green with ENVY when the winner is chosen. Popularly known as the "ENVY" award, the honor goes to a development that best preserves Florida's natural quality of life. The award may be given in two categories: one for residential development and one for commercial development.

Baldwin Park, a traditional neighborhood development on 1,100 acres near Orlando's thriving downtown, won Florida Realtors' 22nd ENVY Award in 2008.

Judges cited this development for the efforts it has taken to preserve the area's natural elements. Baldwin Park features more than 400 acres of open space, lakes and water resources, including 15 community parks – in fact, nearly 35 percent of the property is devoted to parks and lakes. Developers of Baldwin Park worked with Audubon of Florida to plan the parks and water habitats, taking care to create viable ecosystems. In regards to Baldwin Park, one judge commented: "Future developments in Florida should take cues from this project for its excellence in design, both functional and environmental, as to lessen their environmental footprint."

Some of the other environmentally-concerned developments named as past ENVY Award winners include: Verandah, Lakewood Ranch, Wild Heron, Harmony, World Golf Village, Solivita, Amelia Island Plantation, Rosemary Beach and Viera.

The winner in each category will receive a beautiful Lucite trophy, recognition at Florida Realtors 2010 Convention and Trade Show set for Aug. 25-29, 2010, and statewide news coverage as Florida's top environmentally conscious builder. A panel of distinguished environmental and planning professionals judges the competition. The entry deadline is Wednesday, July 7, 2010.

ELIGIBILITY: All Florida commercial developments are eligible. Also, all planned residential developments with a minimum of 30 residential units in Florida qualify. Residential developments must be currently available for marketing and must include a model home.

JUDGING CRITERIA: For each criteria category, applicants should explain how the project goes above and beyond current environmental preservation and/or building code minimal requirements. Please include photos, site plans and other documents that illustrate your points to the judges. Provide narrative that clearly demonstrates and explains the development's environmental features, environmental or preservation activities and design aspects to help the judges better review your project. Explain what makes your project stand out from the rest – what are you the most proud of? Why should your development receive Florida Realtors ENVY Award? These are the things judges want to know.

Commercial: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) Architectural compatibility; (3) Design in scale and context with surrounding environment; (4) Open space and access/usability of surrounding environment; (5) Common area access and usefulness; (6) Streets, pedestrian and bicycle access; (7) drainage as a design feature; (8) Marketability; and (9) Tell us what makes your project stand out from the rest – what are you the most proud of?

Residential: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; a) highlight any restoration areas or efforts; b) include any corridors/buffer zones; c) highlight wetlands areas; (2) Landscaping/compatibility with surrounding environment; (3) Design in scale and context with surrounding environment; a) highlight and explain any specific "green" standards and/or certification standards endorsed by the project – such as standards from the Florida Green Building Coalition, LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development) standards or National Home Builders green building standards; (4) Open space and access/usability of open space; a) highlight green space and unusual features; (5) Family recreation and common areas; a) highlight special areas; (6) Streets and safety features; (7) Drainage and stormwater design features; a) highlight any unique stormwater plans; (8) Marketability; and (9) Tell us what makes your project stand out from the rest – what are you the most proud of?

SUBMISSION: There is no entry limit and no cost to enter. Simply organize a three-ring notebook with the following material in this order: (1) a written overview of the development (maximum of four pages, typed, double spaced, on 8.5" by 11" paper); (2) supporting material and photographs that address the judging criteria in order as listed above — no videotapes or slides; and (3) a complete set of land development plans and other supporting data. Upon request, entry materials may be returned after judging.

DEADLINE: All entries must be received at Florida Realtors headquarters by Wednesday, July 7, 2010. Send submissions to ENVY Award, Florida Realtors, 7025 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL  32822-5017.

For more information about the ENVY award, call 407-438-1400, ext. 2326.

Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 115,000 members in 67 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

SOURCE Florida Realtors