OREANDA-NEWS. August 3, 2012. Planet Green Group announced the launch of an important housing project that will transform affordable home building in the future. The Eco Village at Dunedin will be the first affordable LEED Certified Net Zero Energy townhome development in the nation. These 25 Greenergy Net Zero Energy townhomes are designed and engineered to bring affordability, energy efficiency and use of renewable energy technology to Florida’s homeowners.

Robert Ironsmith, Director of Economic Development & Housing for the City of Dunedin said, “We are thrilled to see Planet Green Group develop Lorraine Leland into affordable town homes that feature state of the art energy efficiency. The City values the partnership between the Dunedin Housing Authority which donated the property, Pinellas County for managing the process and Planet Green Group for incorporating high energy efficiency building techniques into its development.“

Planet Green Group, in collaboration with its strategic partners: Eco Construction, GE, Algatec Solar, MESH Architecture, Pinellas County, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County and the City of Dunedin, will unveil these innovative townhomes at the press event and groundbreaking on August 1, 2012 at 10:00 AM ET. The press conference will take place at the site of the townhomes, located at MLK and Lorraine Leland Street in Dunedin, Florida.

According to Steve Chamu, CEO of Eco Construction and Maintenance: ”We are proud to be associated with this housing project and to serve as a catalyst for future projects. By providing state of the art construction and technology we will enhance the customer experience and protect the planet.”

After winning a competitive RFP, Planet Green Group worked with Pinellas County, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and the City of Dunedin to develop the plan for these affordable Net Zero Energy townhomes in the heart of Dunedin, a stone’s throw from the Gulf of Mexico. Frank Bowman, Housing Development Manager for Pinellas County Community Development, is inspired by the affordability of the project, offering: “We have been working to make our affordable housing projects as “green” as possible for many years, but Eco Village will be the first LEED certified, net zero energy, affordable housing project in Pinellas County. This project will serve as a model for future affordable housing developments in Tampa Bay and throughout the country, and we are excited to play a role in making it a reality.”

The focus for this project is to provide affordable living for everyone, including "Hometown Heroes"—police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers, veterans and other professionals. The site is part of the Lorraine Leland tract in Dunedin and will consist of 25 two-story townhomes from 1,100 to 1,500 square feet, with a projected price range of USD 135,000 to USD 175,000. “Energy efficient living is a necessity, not a luxury. These homes give people affordability and energy savings with a lot of sizzle. Imagine what this will mean for our families and communities,” said Vladimir Tchentsov, Chairman of Planet Green Group.