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November 28, 2007

TALLAHASSEE HOME BUILDER TO RECEIVE HIGHEST "GREEN BUILDING" RATING IN FLORIDA

K2 Urbancorp meets U.S. Green Building Council requirements for the first Silver LEED-certified home in the State of Florida

Contact:
John Wark (850) 321.6490
David Wamsley (850) 528.4410

TALLAHASSEE HOME BUILDER TO RECEIVE HIGHEST 'GREEN BUILDING' RATING IN FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE - K2 Urbancorp, a leading advocate of new urbanism and one of the states most innovative developers and home builders, today unveiled the first green-built home in Florida to reach a silver "LEED for Homes" rating by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The LEED-certified home recently completed by K2 Urbancorp stands in a grove of majestic oaks that have been carefully preserved and incorporated into the design of the builders new traditional neighborhood development, Evening Rose, located in Tallahassee near the corner of Capital Circle N.E. and Mahan Drive. When completed, the $80-million, 36-acre, in-fill development will feature 132 homes and a walkable town center with more than 120,000-square-feet of retail, restaurant, commercial, and live-work space.

A second recently completed nearby home is in the process of being certified by the USGBC and is also expected to receive a high rating.

"Our city can be very proud of what we see here today," said Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, who presided over the unveiling. "These stunning homes will serve as examples of energy efficiency and environmental excellence for the city, the state, and the entire southeast region of the U.S. This is the future of homebuilding."

New studies suggest that, despite a downturn in the nationwide housing market, homebuyers are purchasing green-built homes at a faster rate than others. Consumers like the fact that green built homes lower average monthly utility bills by as much as 30 percent, provide much healthier indoor air quality, and achieve ultimately higher resale prices.

"Were celebrating a number of key milestones here today," said K2 Urbancorp CEO David Wamsley. "Weve achieved the first "LEED for Homes," silver rating in the state of Florida. To date, no home has scored higher. Were also moving the city of Tallahassee one step closer to its goal of becoming a state leader in green building. And were demonstrating to homebuilders everywhere that building green is not only the right thing to do, it also makes economic sense.

"Were building the homes of the future- today. And that goes right to the heart of our vision at K2 Urbancorp."

Each LEED home is inspected and rated by a trained, independent, third party. The standards applied promote a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

"It simply means a better built home from A to Z," said Fincher Smith, a founding partner of K2 Urbancorp. "I grew up in Tallahassee, and I want to do whats right for my community and ultimately whats right for the environment."

The LEED-certified homes being constructed by K2 Urbancorp use the latest design practices and technology available from leading manufacturers. The homes, among many other features, showcase Low E, Silver Line, Andersen windows; energy efficient Rinnai tankless water heaters; high-efficiency Trane heat pumps with variable speed 14- SEER air handlers; Moen low-flow showerheads; and compact florescent light bulbs by GE.

The public can learn more about Evening Rose at www.k2urbancorp.com.