Five-Star Green Condo in Central Austin

Located in one of Austin's coolest areas, this condo boasts a Five-Star Green Rating from Austin Energy's prestigious Green Building Program.

Smack-dab in between North Loop, known for funky vintage shop Room Service and Crestview/Brentwood, where some of Austin's hippest homes (and people) live, 5509 Woodrow kicks back in that very cool and very convenient Burnet/Lamar/Koenig region of town. Close to pretty much everything that represents THE Austin lifestyle: coffee shops, boutiques, Amy's Ice Cream, Phil's Ice House and Dart Bowl.

OK, the location is great, so what makes this such a green condo, anyway?

Glad you asked: 5509 Woodrow, Unit B is about as green as can be: pre-fab construction, high-efficiency HVAC system, including a heat pump, a programmable thermostat and humidistat, a tankless water heater, dual-flush toilets, bamboo floors, Energy Star kitchen appliances, a metal roof, foam insulation, xeriscaped front yard, low-water grass with crushed granite walkways, (pervious cover which allows water to percolate back into the ground) deep roof overhangs to block out the Texas Summer sun, low-E double-paned windows. Enough environmentally-friendly features to receive 150 points from Austin Energy...more than necessary for a five star rating!

Let's talk looks: the builder has a background in design and it shows: using four prefabricated "blocks", he sealed them together in a virtually airtight and seamless building and finished out the rest to his professional standards: stainless appliances, Silestone countertops in kitchen and both bathrooms, gorgeous lighting and ceiling fans, gleaming bamboo floors, efficient use of space and windows that allow light but protect privacy. The house is designed for simple and efficient living but this doesn't preclude luxury: The master bedroom has a wonderful outdoor terrace for coffee in the morning and wine in the evening. The kitchen has a patio for grilling or for just sitting and listening to the birds in one of the tall trees that offer natural shade in the hot Texas Summer. One look at this home and the good life comes to mind!

Asking $379000
Two bedroom, two and a half bathroom
1520 sf
One car garage

MLS# 7533506

kimberly@ethreeproperties.com
512.779.0827

Master Bedroom with front terrace.

Large living room that opens to kitchen.

Gourmet kitchen with a stainless steel island and undermount sink.

Living room with privacy windows.

The xeriscaped front yard saves water and features native plants.

Master bathroom with dual-head shower.

Kitchen has plenty of room for entertaining.

City of Austin Teams up with Smart Car

The city of Austin and Daimler - makers of the Smart Car - have a plan that will add to Austin's green reputation and possibly save the city thousands of dollars in the process.

Mayor Will Wynn was looking smart as he got out of the demo car, ready to talk about the city's Smart Car, car-share pilot program with automaker Daimler.

"Austin has such potential that Daimler has chosen Austin as the only city in the Western Hemisphere to launch this program," Austin Mayor Will Wynn said.

The way it works - Daimler will provide 200 Smart Cars. The city will lease car share parking spaces all over downtown. But instead of collecting money, the city will collect driving time. Daimler will allow city employees to use the Smart Cars for work-related driving.

"Our intent is to compare whether it is more economical to rent or use these vehicles, rather than purchase or replace vehicles as part of our future fleet decisions," said Austin City Manager Mark Ott.

Ott says Austin spends 6 to 7 million dollars on fuel and maintenance for its more than 1,800 light duty vehicles. He says if the Smart Cars can save the city anywhere from five to 10 percent, the lease agreement would be financially and environmentally worthwhile.

"I think this is very progressive and speaks highly of Austin's commitment to being a green city," said Austin resident Kristina Stefka.

"I think it is good for the city leaders to be out front on environmental issues, and this is a good way for them to be leaders on the issue," said Austin resident Robert Monger.

If all goes well with the pilot program, Daimler will bring in hundreds more Smart Cars that will be available to the general public. But before any of that can take place, the Smart Car, car share proposal must get the green light from city council. It'll be presented at next week's meeting.

Austin's Grow Green Program-Basics

A healthy environment comes from practicing earth-wise design, installation and maintenance habits in your own backyard. Below are a few tips on how to have a beautiful yard while protecting our water.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/garden_basics.htm

Austin to build largest solar array in US

The Lone Star State leads the country in wind power. Now Texas aims to ramp up its solar production, too.

This week the state senate is considering an avalanche of bills that would boost state incentives for solar power, and the entire legislative session has become known as the “solar session.”

Altogether, according to David Power, the deputy director of Public Citizen Texas, a consumer and environmental advocacy group, there are 69 renewable energy bills before the legislature, and more than 50 of them promote solar power — far more than ever before.

“There are senators and representatives that are talking about solar that have never mentioned the word probably in their lives,” he said. “We’ve actually heard the term ‘global warming,’ and two years ago that was called ‘the G word’ — you didn’t talk about it.”

Mark Strama, a state representative who is a leading promoter of renewable energy, has introduced at least five green bills this year (including a measure that would allow local governments to create a property-tax financing program for solar, along the lines of several California cities).

“It just seems like everybody recognizes our leadership in wind, and that government policy got us where we are today in wind,” he told me last month.

In solar, he added, “We need to catch up.”

Some businesses, concerned about higher energy prices, urge caution.

“The state should avoid picking economic winners and losers in our economy through subsidizing solar — or any energy source — at the expense of the residential, commercial and industrial consumers who contribute significantly to the Texas economy,” Luke Bellsynder, the executive director of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, said in an e-mail message.

He also said, however, that his group supported incentives and tax abatements for solar, and broadening the state’s energy portfolio.

Earlier this month, the city of Austin, which is aggressively pursuing renewable power, unanimously gave a go-ahead to a private company to build the largest photovoltaic plant in the country, so that the local utility, Austin Energy, can buy the electricity produced.

But the city met fierce opposition from struggling local technology companies and other groups, who complained about the prospect of higher electric bills.