Autumn Hall, the residential and commercial development currently under construction on Eastwood Road, has been presented with a Significant Achievement Award through the Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Awards Program.
This year marked the fourth annual awards program. Shawn Ralston, environmental planner with the city of Wilmington, said the program was established to recognize projects in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties that go above and beyond the minimum code requirements to protect the environment. The program has grown each year as more and more developers recognize the importance — and marketability — of incorporating environmental stewardship into their development plans.
“People, developers particularly, are really starting to try to market green, so they see this as a way to do that,” Ralston said. “Our banquet was really well attended, and I think it was our best year so far.”
Lumina News file photo
Autumn Hall was recognized with a Significant Achievement Award through the Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Awards, presented Nov. 12 at UNCW’s Burney Center. |
Autumn Hall received the Significant Achievement Award for the developer’s efforts to preserve as many trees as possible. An on-site arborist was hired to help with the development process. Many mature trees were preserved, and smaller trees were moved from building sites to be used in landscaping along the development’s roads.
“They also have removed a lot of invasive species and incorporated a lot of native plants into their landscape plan,” Ralston added. “They have a lot of pedestrian amenities, which scores a lot of points in our program. They are establishing a legacy founder club, which will be an in-community organization dedicated to environmental stewardship after it’s built.”
Developer Raiford Trask said, “Our focus on the enjoyment of outdoor recreation and our integration of environmental awareness into our neighborhood fabric has driven our entire land use plan.It is gratifying to be acknowledged for our commitment to land and water stewardship.This commitment doesn’t come cheap and easy, but it is critical in an ecosystem such as the Cape Fear coast.”
The Outstanding Recognition Award, the highest honor awarded by the program, was presented to Monteith Construction Corp. for the restoration and rehabilitation of a historic building in downtown Wilmington for the company’s headquarters. Other developments receiving the Significant Achievement award included Bald Head Conservancy, Eagle’s Watch, Fairwinds Harbor and Lakeside. A unique project involving refurbishing of the Oak Island Lighthouse received Special Recognition for Vegetation Enhancement and Site Stabilization Using Best Management Practices.
