If you’re anything like me, you are probably looking up just exactly where River Falls, Wisconsin is. A small suburb east of Minneapolis – St. Paul, River Falls is home to over 15,000 residents, a small community college and a shining example of sustainable neighborhood development.
BUILDING LIVES
In 2012, St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity and its partners broke ground on the River Falls Eco-village, a community based, sustainable neighborhood development. In total, 18 homes, a community center and garden will be built. 10 families already inhabit the neighborhood development.
There are many aspects that make this project so extraordinary – beyond sustainability. First, the city of River Falls donated over 5 acres of land to developers (Habitat for Humanity). The city was just one of dozens of project team members.
ALL HANDS ON DECK
“The entire project was very collaborative with members from all over the community providing input,” said Susan Roeder with Andersen Windows, a large corporate project partner. “It was a very thoughtful process and project leaders engaged the entire community.”
As a not-for-profit, St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity works to eliminate poverty housing and empower families by minimizing expenses.
“These families know firsthand what living on a monthly budget is like,” said Roeder. “By making these homes as efficient as possible, they are free to use those financial resources on other important things.”
SUSTAINING THE COMMUNITY
Speaking of efficient, one home produced 170% of the energy it needed to operate one month through its solar panel system. Significance you ask? The electric utility paid the family that month – not the other way around. In addition to solar panel systems, each Eco Village home utilizes;
- Geothermal power
- Rainwater harvesting
- Permeable paving systems
- Low flow plumbing fixtures
- Storm/tornado resistant design
- LEED for Homes Certification
- Electric car charging stations
- Dual pane, high performance windows utilizing glass with recycled content
All of these features add up to some of the most efficient homes in the state. Last year, the State of Wisconsin awarded Eco Village home #6 the ‘Most Energy Efficient Home’. Project designers have a goal of carbon neutral, net zero operating homes.
“This project proves that green building doesn’t have to be expensive,” added Roeder.