FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Dana Brady
Blackman Brady Communications
267-757-0726
DanaBradyPR@aol.com

BUILDER OF PHILADELPHIA’S FIRST SOLAR NEIGHBORHOOD NAMED
2008 PHILADELPHIA SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FINALIST

Philadelphia, PA - Don Bradley, builder of Maple Point Solar Town Homes, Philadelphia’s first solar neighborhood, has been named a finalist for Philadelphia’s Sustainability Award.

A life-long resident and native Philadelphian, visionary homebuilder Don Bradley set out over 18 years ago to show the potential for green building to reduce energy consumption, improve housing affordability, eliminate fossil-fuel use and improve occupant comfort. “My goal is to integrate renewable energy and green building strategies affordably into homes that provide optimal comfort and long-term value. Since buildings are responsible for 40% of CO2 emissions and are a key driver of climate change, energy stability, energy security and all it entails, we have the opportunity to bring about positive change by making our buildings and homes more sustainable. With each project, we push the sustainability envelope a little further and share this knowledge so others can do the same,” said Bradley

Bradley’s latest pioneering community development project is the first solar neighborhood in Philadelphia, Maple Point Solar Town Homes. Located in Juniata bordering Fairmount Park, Maple Point is a new 38-home community of Zero Energy Homes featuring passive solar design, advanced framing modular construction, a 4kW roof mounted solar electric array, solar hot water system, radiant heat from a bio-fuel boiler (powered by PA grown & refined soybean oil), water saving fixtures, and low-emitting finishes. On a site development level, the project offers community green space, permeable paving to promote storm water infiltration, access to public transit and community resources including biking and walking trails in neighboring Fairmount Park. “We expect homeowners at Maple Point to realize a 70% to 80% reduction in their energy costs, compared to a conventionally built home. We will also be offering for a limited time a special “Solar Mortgage Program” that will lower the home owners interest rate by about 1/2 % on their mortgage.

Maple Point Solar Town Homes are some of the most valuable and sustainable pieces of real estate in Philadelphia, bringing state of the art green building to the city through a partnership with the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Homes Program. “We have quite possibly built the most energy efficient homes in the city of Philadelphia today. Buyers of these fully solar integrated homes will experience the magic of passive solar design,” adds Bradley.

“This project has made green homes available to the average consumer. Maple Point Solar Town Homes are superior quality new construction homes,” said Lisa Hough, certified EcoBroker® and Realtor at Prudential Fox and Roach. “These homes will be very comfortable and cost effective to the homeowners, due to their exceptional design and construction. I’m thrilled to represent these homes, and I’m very proud of Don’s commitment and visionary practices.”

The Philadelphia Sustainability Awards are the first-ever awards in the Philadelphia region to recognize those who are leading the way to a more sustainable future. The 2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at the Philadelphia Flower Show, will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Auditorium on March 3, 2008 at 5:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public. The evening will celebrate all award nominees, highlight the finalists and reveal which were the most environmentally, economically and socially sustainable projects in the Greater Philadelphia region.

About Maple Point Solar Town Homes - Philadelphia’s First Solar Neighborhood

Maple Point Solar Town Homes are currently available for sale. Maple Point is an impressive newly constructed Solar Town Home Community of 38 Energy Star Homes, offering top-of-the-line eco-friendly features, indoors and out. Beautiful 3 and 4 bedroom homes are designed for optimal comfort, durability, low energy and water use. Each quality-constructed, high-performance home has a solar electric/PV system, solar hot water, a high-efficiency A/C system and radiant/baseboard heat form a bio-fuel boiler. These homes will use 70% to 80% less energy compared to conventional homes.

Located off Roosevelt Blvd., just minutes from Friends’ Hospital in a tranquil area overlooking Fairmont Park, owners enjoy open space, and access to walking and biking trails. A 10-year tax abatement and an interest rate reducing “Solar Mortgage” offer exceptional value for savvy buyers seeking smart, green living or quality new construction in this convenient area of Northeast Philadelphia.

If you are interested in learning more about Maple Point Solar Town Homes or Don Bradley visit
www.phillysolarhomes.com or contact Lisa Hough, Pennsylvania’s first certified EcoBroker®, Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors at 610.566.3000 or lhoughrealtor@comcast.net. Maple Point’s Model home is located at 751 Maple Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19124.

Photographs of site and builder and additional information available upon request. For more information please contact Dana Brady, Blackman Brady Communications at 267-757-0722.

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