Developers of Low-Income LEED ND Community Break Ground on Phase Two

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorSavannah, Ga.—The developers of Sustainable Fellwood, a new mixed-use, mixed-income LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Neighborhood Development community, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its first phase, consisting of 110 units, and broke ground on phase two, which will encompass an additional 110 units.Master planner Melaver Inc. worked in partnership with the Housing Authority of Savannah, Parallel Housing Inc., Progressive Redevelopment Inc., Vanguard Developers and CHSA (Community Housing Services Agency) Development Inc. In addition to its LEED certification, Sustainable Fellwood is also registered for Southface Energy Institute’s EarthCraft Coastal Communities.Green features include cellulose insulation (made from recycled newspapers); pervious paving; high-efficiency air conditioning and heating; Energy Star appliances; low-flow fixtures; low-VOC carpets, paints and flooring; easy access to the bus transit system; and on-site recycling. The majority of the waste from the project was also recycled.In addition, “an on-site site organic garden features a cistern that feeds off the gutters of buildings. The cistern is a storage tank to water the ground, so we are using rainwater instead of fresh potable water,” says Shaun Vermilyea, project manager, Catamount Construction.Designed by Lott+Barber Architects and built by Catamount Residential, the $50 million, 27-acre community is expected to incorporate 220 mixed-income apartments, 100 senior living housing units and 13 single-family homes, as well as a community garden, common green space, retail and medical space, at build-out.The development is part of the Mayor’s initiative to rebuild the west side of Savannah, notes Vermilyea. “This is part of rebuilding the west side to try to bring the pride back to the neighborhood.”As part of this initiative, many on-site workers came from the area’s surrounding communities. In February, 40 percent of the labor force employed on Phase I were local residents, while the entire phase encompassed a workforce of which 50 percent was comprised of local residents.Sustainable Fellwood has received its COs on five of its 11 buildings in phase one, which is slated for completion by the end of this summer, Vermilyea tells MHN.The community is being built in four phases, the first two of which include 110 apartments each. The third phase will encompass the senior assisted-living center and the fourth phase will comprise retail and a medical center.Sustainable Fellwood offers one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, ranging in size from 925 sq. ft. to 1,370 sq. ft