Venue at Cool Springs Earns Audubon International Signature Certification

FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The apartment community Venue at Cool Springs was designated an Audubon International Signature Sanctuary after meeting strict environmental criteria. The community, developed by Crescent Resources and owned by MAA, is the first solely multifamily project in Tennessee and the second solely multifamily project in the United States to receive the designation.

Venue at Cool Springs, which earned Audubon International's silver certification, is a 428-unit luxury community at the intersection of Carothers Parkway and E. McEwen Drive. The signature sanctuary certification is awarded to new developments that are designed, constructed and maintained according to precise planning standards and environmental disciplines.

"We set out to build a sustainable community that would attract environmentally conscious residents," said Brian Natwick, president of Crescent's Multifamily Division. "We're proud of this achievement, and it underscores our commitment to green living."

Leasing has started and the first phase of Venue at Cool Springs is open. Construction is scheduled to be complete this fall.

"We are excited to own and operate a property built to these standards while providing a comfortable place to live for our residents," said Kevin Perkins, senior vice president and director of physical assets for MAA. "We take special care to protect our valuable environmental resources."

Venue at Cool Springs is Crescent's second project to earn this status from Audubon International. A luxury apartment community in Concord, N.C. – Circle at Concord Mills – was the first multifamily community in the country to be certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary.

To become certified, project leaders must design and implement a natural resource management plan for the property. Issues that must be addressed include wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement, water quality monitoring, integrated pest management, water conservation, energy efficiency and waste management.

"The program provides tangible third-party verification that the property has been developed and is being managed according to Audubon International's principles for sustainable resource management," said Signature Program Director Nancy Richardson. "Audubon International's Signature Program was created to recognize developments which choose to integrate sustainable design and property management, thus balancing the needs of people with the protection of the environment."

Venue at Cool Springs' design also adheres to the standards of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Certified Site Design and Development.

The apartment community was designed by The Housing Studio of Charlotte, N.C., and includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans in a series of three-story Craftsman-style buildings.

About Audubon International

Audubon International is a not-for-profit environmental education organization dedicated to educating, assisting and inspiring millions of people from all walks of life to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife and other natural resources around them. By helping people make sound environmental decisions and take environmentally responsible actions, Audubon International seeks to foster more sustainable human and natural communities. The organization works with more than 3,000 properties and communities in 26 different countries.

About Crescent Resources

Crescent Resources is a real estate development company with interests throughout the southeastern United States. Based in Charlotte and established in 1969, Crescent Resources is known for its single-family, multifamily and resort residential communities. Crescent also develops business and industrial parks and shopping centers. Visit www.crescent-resources.com for more information.

SOURCE Crescent Resources