Be the ENVY of All: Win Florida Association of Realtors'(R) Environmental (ENVY)...

Be the ENVY of All: Win Florida Association of Realtors'(R) Environmental
(ENVY) Award

ORLANDO, Fla., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Don't wait to enter the Florida
Association of Realtors'(R) (FAR) annual Environmental Award program, or you
may be green with ENVY when the winner is chosen. Popularly known as the
"ENVY" award, the honor goes to a development that best preserves Florida's
natural quality of life. The award may be given in two categories: one for
residential development and one for commercial development.

Baldwin Park, a traditional neighborhood development on 1,100 acres near
Orlando's thriving downtown, won FAR's 22nd ENVY Award 2008.

Judges cited this development for the efforts it has taken to preserve the
area's natural elements. Baldwin Park features more than 400 acres of open
space, lakes and water resources, including 15 community parks - in fact,
nearly 35 percent of the property is devoted to parks and lakes. Developers of
Baldwin Park worked with Audubon of Florida to help plan the parks and water
habitats, taking care to create viable ecosystems. In regards to Baldwin Park,
one judge commented: "Future developments in Florida should take cues from
this project for its excellence in design, both functional and environmental,
as to lessen their environmental footprint."

Some of the other environmentally-concerned developments named as past ENVY
Award winners include: Verandah, Lakewood Ranch, Wild Heron, Harmony, World
Golf Village, Solivita, Amelia Island Plantation, Rosemary Beach and Viera.

The winner in each category will receive a hand-crafted Lucite trophy,
recognition at FAR's annual Convention and Trade Show, Aug. 19-23, 2009, and
statewide news coverage as Florida's top environmentally-conscious builder.
The competition is judged by three distinguished environmental and planning
professionals. The entry deadline is Wednesday, July 8, 2009.

ELIGIBILITY: All Florida commercial developments are eligible. Also, all
planned residential developments with a minimum of 30 residential units in
Florida qualify. Residential developments must be currently available for
marketing and must include a model home.

JUDGING CRITERIA: For each criteria category, applicants should explain how
the project goes above and beyond current environmental preservation and/or
building code minimal requirements. Please include photos, site plans and
other documents that will help illustrate your points to the judges. Provide
narrative that will clearly demonstrate and explain the development's
environmental features, environmental or preservation activities and design
aspects to help the judges better review your project. Explain what makes your
project stand out from the rest - what are you the most proud of? Why should
your development receive FAR's ENVY Award? These are the things the judges
want to know.

Commercial: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) Architectural
compatibility; (3) Design in scale and context with surrounding environment;
(4) Open space and access/usability of surrounding environment; (5) Common
area access and usefulness; (6) Streets, pedestrian and bicycle access; (7)
drainage as a design feature; (8) Marketability; and (9) Tell us what makes
your project stand out from the rest - what are you the most proud of?

Residential: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; a) highlight any
restoration areas or efforts; b) include any corridors/buffer zones; c)
highlight wetlands areas; (2) Landscaping/compatibility with surrounding
environment; (3) Design in scale and context with surrounding environment; a)
highlight and explain any specific "green" standards and/or certification
standards endorsed by the project - such as standards from the Florida Green
Building Coalition, LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design-Neighborhood Development) standards or National Home Builders green
building standards; (4) Open space and access/usability of open space; a)
highlight green space and unusual features; (5) Family recreation and common
areas; a) highlight special areas; (6) Streets and safety features; (7)
Drainage and stormwater design features; a) highlight any unique stormwater
plans; (8) Marketability; and (9) Tell us what makes your project stand out
from the rest - what are you the most proud of?

SUBMISSION: There is no entry limit and no cost to enter. Simply organize a
three-ring notebook with the following material in this order: (1) a written
overview of the development (maximum of four pages, typed, double spaced, on
8.5" by 11" paper); (2) supporting material and photographs that address the
judging criteria in order as listed above -- no videotapes or slides; and (3)
a complete set of land development plans and other supporting data. Upon
request, entry materials may be returned after judging.

DEADLINE: All entries must be received at FAR's headquarters by Wednesday,
July 8, 2009. Send submissions to ENVY Award, Florida Association of Realtors,
7025 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822-5017.

For more information about the ENVY award, call 407-438-1400, ext. 2326. To
obtain this release or for additional media releases from FAR, go to the
Florida Association of Realtors' Media Center Web site at
http://media.floridarealtors.org.

The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida,
provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative
representation for its 115,000 members in 67 local boards/associations.

SOURCE Florida Association of Realtors

Marla Martin, Communications Manager, +1-407-438-1400, ext. 2326, or Jeff
Zipper, Vice President of Communications, +1-407-438-1400, ext. 2314, both of
Florida Association of Realtors