McCarran International Airport

Las Vegas has massive amounts of visitors a year and most of them start their Las Vegas experience at McCarran International Airport. So it stands to reason this is a good place to start with the Green Experience. I work part time at the airport for a major airline so what they do is always of interest to me.

When the home builders show was in town last month a lot of the convention was about GREEN PRODUCTS.
I wrote not to long ago about some of these trends. Building Trends 2009

Well McCarran has a plan, they got together 17 people from different departments around the airport and have started to implement some of their ideas.

First thing I noticed was the car companies change. Up until about this time last year, all car companies had booths at the airport and an offsite car pick up. Each company had their own BIG bus that drove you over to their site.

Now there is one site for all companies and their offices are also at this site. There is one shuttle (many but one kind) that take the people to the off site. These buses are run on biodiesel fuel. To quote the airport,

"Existing efforts to reduce air pollution and conserve energy include implementing a fleet of common-use, cleanburning biodiesel buses that run between the airport and the McCarran Rent-A-Car Center; requiring commercial vehicle operators to shut down their engines upon parking, loading or unloading customers; minimizing the release of volatile organic compounds by purchasing more water-based paints and non-aerosol cleaning products; providing central power and air conditioning units for aircraft at the gates; upgrading escalators and moving walkways with energy efficient equipment; and upgrading airfield lighting with LED technology"

This week appeared all over the airport, McCarran's commitment to RECYCLE these new receptacles are plainly marked and quite attractive.

Again in the words of McCarran

"McCarran's employees, tenants and customers generate approximately 14,300 tons of garbage each year, much of which includes recyclables like paper, plastic and aluminum. Desk-side recycle bins were placed in all administrative offices in 2006, diverting approximately 24 tons of plastic, aluminum and paper annually from local landfills. In 2007, the DOA partnered with the Blind Center of Nevada to host annual E-Waste Recycling events at McCarran, giving employees, tenants and airlines the opportunity to shed unwanted computers, copiers, cell phones, mice and more. Through this two-year partnership, we‘ve diverted approximately 12,000 pounds of electronics from local landfills.
Separately, in August 2008 the department began recycling scrap aluminum, copper, steel and iron. To date, McCarran has earned nearly $3000 by recycling more than 47 tons of sundry metals through its partnership with Nevada-based Silver Dollar Recycling. The Environmental Conservation Committee has also worked aggressively to develop a passenger-oriented program for recycling travelers' beverage containers and paper, and has also installed recycle containers in all employee break rooms.

The recycling program will be implemented in two phases. First, the non-secure areas of McCarran‘s Terminal 1 will be equipped with waste stations that include separate cans for trash, aluminum and plastic, and paper by February 2009. Phase two will place similar waste stations beyond the security checkpoints, in outlying office buildings and at the county's general aviation airports ."

I WILL BE KEEPING MY EYE ON THESE PROJECTS AS THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED. They have more things planned as I have read their commitment to becoming a good GREEN Neighbor.

Cottonwood Terrace Townhouses in Summerlin Las Vegas is a very sought after community. It borders Cottonwood Canyon which is 69.4 acres and runs through The Arbors Village all the way through the Canyons Village.

Pulte Homes opened the models at its Cottonwood Terrace townhouse development,in 1999 and had build out in 2001. Located in Summerlin's Arbors Village. The townhouses offer resort-style living with a gated entry, landscaping, a pool, spa, and 1,800-square-foot fitness center.

The single- and two-story floor plans range from 1,397 to 1,847 square feet.

The Sheffield: one-story model, the 1,397-square-foot Sheffield, features a great-room design, three bedrooms with a den conversion option, and two baths with shower stall option.

The Sussex: 1,603-square-foot Sussex model, also single-story, comes with vaulted ceilings, a great-room design, and a dining room that can be converted into a den, fourth bedroom or owner-suite retreat.

The Bristol: at 1,792 square feet, the two-story Bristol floor plan features a first-floor owner suite, two secondary bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a loft with optional expanded storage.

The Cambridge: floor plan offers 1,847 square feet and features a formal living room, dining area, and a separate family room with a media niche and fireplace.

Standard kitchen features include oak cabinets, a gas range and a dishwasher. Interiors include ceramic-tile entries, light fixtures, rounded corners, and ceiling fan prewiring. Other amenities include ground-mounted air conditioning, concrete-tile roofs, low E vinyl windows and a two-car garage.

Pulte has been a leader in energy efficient building from the very beginning. Even though this neighborhood was built in 1999 there was still a partnership with the US Department of Energy.

This is a veiw of Cottonwood Terrace from Cottonwood Canyon there are back gates so you can get out to the walking trails very easy.

In the last 90 days two have sold in Cottonwood Terrace 2 properties have sold :

852092 245,000 225,000 10179 BIRCH BLUFF LN A#: 404 Bd: 3 Bth:2

852900 219,000 214,000 907 MAJESTIC OAK ST A#: 404 Bd: 3 Bth:3

There are currently 3 homes for sell in this very popular townhouse community. If you have any interest in seeing these properties or having more information on the properties please email me chrisshouse@gmail.com or call me 702-277-3195

Clark County Subdivision: COTTONWOOD TERRACE \

Year Built: 2001 ** GLVAR Deems Information Reliable, But Not Guaranteed JUNIPER CREEK LN $ 245,000

Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 2 / 0 / 1 SqFt: 1,893 Bldg Desc: # Garages/Desc:

10209 BIRCH BLUFF LN $ 218,900

Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 2 / 0 / 1 SqFt: 1,853 Bldg Desc: # Garages/Desc:

10215 JUNIPER CREEK LN $ 239,000

Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 2 / 0 / 1 SqFt: 1,893 Bldg Desc: # Garages/Desc:

The National Association of Home Builders did a recent survey of 2,300 home owners, 50% of those surveyed said they would pay $5,000-$11,000 for a new home if it could save on their utility bills.
Could 2009 be the year that GREEN goes mainstream?

As home buyers become more aware of the products that are offered and what is Eco-Friendly and available now I believe the trend will defiantly head that way. I am very excited over the new products that are becoming more and more mainstream.

Along with homes being small and smarter, buyers expect the homes to have these options:

According to the surveys these building trends are on the top of consumers lists.

SMART STORAGE

• Making every inch count
• closet organizing systems
• Home entertainment Centers
• Laundry rooms with lots of built in storage

CLEANER AIR

• Builders are using paints that are lower in volatile organic compounds
• Improved air filter systems that trap allergens

VERY FUNCTIONAL KITCHENS

• The kitchen is still the most important room in the house
• Buyers want the kitchen to be great looking
• Lots of cabinetry
• Spacious center islands
• Highly efficient and great looking appliances that look built in

PAINTING AND INTERIORS

• Tranquil home environments
• Coming back into style is the 50's and 60's style of soft pastels
• Leading trend seems to be shades of gray on the walls,and soft pinks
• Bright and vibrant colors on back splashes in the kitchen and bath

FLEXIBILITY

• As Baby Boomers age (that would be me!) manufactures are producing new products and rethinking others
• Shelves that slide out for easy reach
• Homes with wheel chair mobility in mind
• Dishwashers that can be loaded from a wheel chair

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

• Outdoor living is still very much a trend buyers are moving toward
• Outdoor kitchens
• Elaborate grills
• Refridgerators
• Televisions
• Wine coolers are much sought after
• This trend is holding true for not only single family homes but Condos and Townhouses also.

This is an exciting time we are living in and there are many builders that are doing a great job of building green. I wrote about one not to long ago VILLA TRIESTE Now is a good time to buy.

Part of the Summerlin Centre Village Villa Trieste is now open. I spoke with the agent at the models yesterday and have packets available to send out to interested buyers. Why work with a Realtor® instead of just the agent on site? You can read my answer here

Villa Trieste

These beautiful models offer the latest most upgraded energy efficient products that can be had.

• Here is an update on just what these homes have for energy efficiencies ,
• SunPower solar roof paneling
• Diamond level Enviroments For Living package with 3 year heating and cooling usage guaratee
• 100% Energy Star certified
• Envelope insulation system with blown in cellulose
• Low-E dual pane, vinyl-framed windows
• York 15 Seer rated A/C system and energy efficeint gas furnace
• Rinnai tankless water heater
• Honeywell digital thermostats
• Family protection carbon monoxide and smoke deterctors
• Gas range and gas dryer hook ups
  

The Models Kitchens

To see the pictures I took of this wonderful new neighborhood
ALL MY PICTURES OF VILLA TRIESTE

Pulte Home Building Partners are:

• Environments for Living Certified Green
• Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership
• City of Las Vegas Green Building Program
• Energy Star
• U.S. Department of Energy Builder's Challenge Program
• LEED Certified.

The NRF is in town again! They have been coming to Las Vegas for 23 years and of course do a lot of good for the Las Vegas economy. There is something about a cowboy that warms my heart. One of my favorite songs is by Willie Nelson My Heros Have Always Been Cowboys. In fact I grew up loving country music even though I lived no where near Texas or Nashville. I used to know all the words to all Marty Robbins songs and even met him twice and I think I should have been born in Texas.

So the Cowboys and Cowgirls are here in Las Vegas and there are a lot of activities going on. There are concerts every night at the Thomas and Mack Center. In fact there is so many events going on that a whole website has been set up The NRF Experience and Shopping Experience. Last night downtown got into the act with the Downtown Hoedown. It is held at the Freemont Experience which is an amazing place all on its own. There is also the Country Market Place at the Mandalay Bay. It will be fun to have everyone here. I know it will be a fun time.