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Newland Communities, the nation’s largest residential community developer, is building a cutting edge environmentally responsible community in Wilmington, North Carolina. Located on more than 1,300 acres, including three miles directly along the Cape Fear River, Newland is developing only 596 of those acres as a mixed use community which integrates the leading principles of green building and environmental sustainability.
As one of Newland’s first initiatives, it reduced New Hanover County’s approved density of the site by more than 1,000 units, eliminating approximately 10,000 vehicle trips per day along the new road.
In addition, by relocating a portion of the existing River Road, Newland is restoring and reconnecting natural wetlands, preserving three sand ridges and supplanting the existing landscape with native organisms, as well as protecting wildlife that inhabits a corridor from local forested areas to the river.
The overall result is minimized impact on the environment before, during and after construction by preserving native trees, plants and other vegetation, restoring local wetlands and protecting sand ridges as well as wildlife. As part of Newland’s ongoing commitment to nature, it continues to build an advisory team of locally based sustainability experts.
Located on the Cape Fear River Basin, Newland is protecting the local watershed. “Newland is creating vegetative buffer zones so storm water runoff is intercepted,” said Dr. Michael Mallin, a water quality specialist who serves as Research Professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science. “By implementing environmentally-friendly methods such as pervious pavement, Newland can prevent runoff pollution at the source so potential contamination does not run into local streams,” said Mallin
Mallin is working with Newland’s sustainability advisory team to test water quality, monitor erosion control measures and develop methods for on-site water conservation and reuse.
In addition, Newland is preserving and sustaining native trees and plants that are distinct to the Wilmington area. During construction, the plants are relocated to an on-site nursery where they will remain until construction is completed. They will be returned to become part of the landscaping.
“Newland is making a long-term commitment to the environment and taking a holistic approach to saving native vegetation,” said Scott McGhee, owner of Scott’s Treescape. McGhee is a local arborist on Newland’s sustainability advisory team.
Trees cleared from the site are used for mulch throughout the community.
In addition to their efforts to preserve and reuse natural plant life, Newland is cleaning the land throughout the construction process. So far, more than 20 tons of dumped debris has been removed from 20 acres of the site.
The community will also include more than 697 acres of natural open space. Newland is dedicating 21 additional acres to a public park system for New Hanover County.
Newland is furthering its commitment to sustainable development by constructing all Newland built commercial and amenities buildings to standards that can be certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. LEED certification is a stringent third-party green certification system that is a national benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. All homes in the community are planned for Energy Star compliance at a minimum, and natural gas will be an energy option. Plans are also underway for an on-site waste treatment plant and recycling program.
In 2007, Newland launched a Website in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council providing tools that ensure homes are as healthy and environmentally friendly as possible.
“Newland is excited to be a green development leader in Wilmington by creating a mixed used community where environmental sustainability and green building are at the cornerstones of the development, particularly with the first LEED certified commercial and amenities buildings in the area,” said Jay Smith, Vice President of Operations for Newland Communities.
About Newland Communities® Wilmington
Newland Communities’ latest development is located along three miles of the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina, and is planned as a green built mixed use community with an estimated 2,290 units including approximately 1,050 multi-family units. The community’s Marina Village will feature amenities such as guest cottages, a 122 slip marina and dry stack facility, restaurants and University of North Carolina Wilmington crew team facilities. The community is planned to include an active commercial Village Center with civic and retail outlets and more than 697 acres of open green space with an immense multi purpose trail system, and an additional 21 acres of park space dedicated to New Hanover County.
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ayana.hernandez[.]fleishman.com 
