Metro, HBA build strong partnership to bring low-impact development to 2010 NW Natural Street of Dreams
During the last several years, Metro and the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland have developed a burgeoning partnership to promote low-impact development practices. Since 2006, Metro experts have worked out of an office in the HBA headquarters to help its members learn about and use low-impact development techniques through seminars, individual assistance and by making connections with providers of green products and services.
Now, the HBA and Metro have teamed up to bring low-impact development to the HBA's Street of Dreams. Responding to Portland's increasingly green culture and a challenging housing market, the 2010 NW Natural Street of Dreams homes couple green practices with luxury living while being more moderate in size and price. Metro and the HBA hope to drive market demand for these and other nature friendly practices by highlighting them during the monthlong event. This year's show runs through Aug. 29 at the new Cresap Summit development off Skyline Boulevard in Portland.
All the homes have some element of LEED Gold Standard or Earth Advantage green building certification, and all use some sustainable or low-impact development practices. Two of the driveways feature pervious pavers, and many take advantage of natural gardening techniques such as composting, mulching, and landscaping with native plants that require fewer fertilizers and pesticides. One of the homes has earned the Audubon Society of Portland's Backyard Habitat certification, which focuses on the removal of aggressive weeds, planting native vegetation, stormwater management and wildlife stewardship. Rain gardens and stormwater planters are another new addition to this year's Street of Dreams.
An additional highlight of the Metro-HBA collaboration at the Street of Dreams is a house that features a new color of MetroPaint created specifically for this year's show. The warm taupe-brown hue is named "Refinement" and was used on the exterior of the home by the same name. MetroPaint, Metro's award-winning line of environmentally friendly paint, keeps thousands of gallons of this reusable resource out of landfills while providing an economical, green product.
Starting today, HBA is celebrating GreenWeek at the Street of Dreams, and Metro is taking part. Natural gardening experts will be on hand to answer questions from 3 to 6 p.m. today, Aug. 5 and Aug. 6. On Sunday, Aug. 8, Metro's natural gardening expert, Nicole West, will showcase examples of native plants that visitors can see, smell and touch and that are growing in Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods native plant trailer. On other days during GreenWeek, NW Cedar Specialties will offer reclaimed cedar planter boxes constructed from the remnants of homes on display, Evolution Paving will showcase its earth-friendly porous concrete, and gardening experts, including those from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District will host informational booths on building rain gardens and landscaping with native plants.