AEON: Greening the Development Process

AEON, the Green Institute (GI), and the Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR) have entered into a memorandum of understanding, the goal of which is to transform their development process into a replicable sustainable model. Each partner brings a unique skills set to this endeavor. AEON will be the developer, GI will lead the greening process, and CSBR will provide technical assistance and evaluate the process.

The partnership will develop and nurture a sustainable integrated development approach through three pilot projects. The projects will create quality, affordable multi-family housing developments through implementation of integrated design, applied research, and finally the measurement and assessment of selected strategies to provide feedback that will positively impact future development projects. These projects will also provide opportunities for learning and serve as models for future developments. The selected projects include three different housing development types: new construction, substantial (gut) rehabilitation, and moderate rehabilitation/upgrades to existing apartment buildings. The variety of projects may reveal limitations and opportunities unique to each project type and will give the team the opportunities to integrate sustainable practices in AEON's major development areas, and meet the broad sustainability goals of the partnership.

AEON Pilot Projects

  • Alliance Expansion, Minneapolis - New Construction
  • Renaissance Box, St. Paul - Substantial Rehabilitation
  • Har Mar Apartments, Roseville - Moderate Rehabilitation of existing, operating multi-family housing

The AEON Pilot Projects will span an estimated 3 to 4 years. The intention is to conduct performance outcome evaluation on the projects during the first year of operation. Protocol for outcomes will be developed as design of the projects moves forward. AEON and CSBR will engage in grant writing to help underwrite the pilot project monitoring.

Project: AEON: Greening the Development Process
Project Partners: AEON, The Green Institute, and The Center for Sustainable Building Research
Sponsors: The McKnight Foundation and The Home Depot Foundation
Status: on going