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Real estate industry

Bowling Green to Get Greener with New 50-Unit Green Housing Community

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A groundbreaking project is underway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where Western Kentucky University and Habitat for Humanity are partnering to create a 16-acre, 50-unit green housing community. Dubbed Durbin Estates, this innovative development will incorporate low-impact development techniques and feature a range of sustainable features, including community gardens, community interaction areas, and community associations. The project, funded by a $655,000 grant from the Kentucky Division of Water, aims to not only provide affordable housing but also address environmental and economic issues, including global climate change.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Durbin Estates project will be a 16-acre, 50-unit green housing community, with a mix of single and multifamily dwellings, including condos.
  • The project will feature a range of sustainable features, including community gardens, community interaction areas, community associations, pervious pavement, cisterns, rain barrels, irrigation piping to collect and recycle rainwater, rain gardens, landscaping that slows water flow and provides natural filtration, and drought-tolerant native plants.
  • WKU students will play an integral role in the design aspects of the project, including a major retention basin that drains runoff so it can be returned as pure ground and river water.
  • The project will be a model for sustainable infrastructure that uses natural methods of reducing the cost to communities of treating water, protecting waterways, and restoring the environment.
  • Durbin Estates will also serve as a training model on how to use natural ecosystems and technologies, with Habitat for Humanity affiliates from across the state using the building project for on-site training.
  • The project will generate a 30-minute documentary by WKYU-TV and serve as an educational model for the community and organizations, as well as for individuals who will be able to volunteer and get involved.

Statistics:

  • The project will cost $655,000, funded by a grant from the Kentucky Division of Water.
  • The community will feature a mix of 50 single and multifamily dwellings, including condos.
  • The project will incorporate a range of sustainable features, including pervious pavement, cisterns, rain barrels, irrigation piping to collect and recycle rainwater, rain gardens, landscaping that slows water flow and provides natural filtration, and drought-tolerant native plants.
  • WKU students will contribute to the design of the project, including the development of a major retention basin.
  • Durbin Estates will serve as a training model for Habitat for Humanity affiliates from across the state.
  • The project will generate a 30-minute documentary by WKYU-TV and will be open to volunteers and educational programs.

Sources:

  • "Bowling Green is about to get greener." By Liz Switzer, Daily News, Bowling Green, Ky.
  • Western Kentucky University
  • Habitat for Humanity of Bowling Green-Warren County Inc.
  • Kentucky Division of Water
  • WKYU-TV
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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