Third Phase Begins on Largest Planned Zero Net Energy Development

by Katie Sloan

Davis, Calif. — UC Davis West Village is pre-leasing for Solstice Apartments, the third phase of a planned community on university land.

Rendering of Solstice Apartments, the third phase at UC Davis West Village. The first phase opened for the fall of the 2011-2012 school year. UC Davis selected a private developer to design, finance and construct this net zero community. Davis, Calif. — West Village Community Partnership, a joint venture between the sustainable development firms Carmel Partners and Urban Villages, has begun construction on Solstice Apartments, which are the third phase of development at UC Davis West Village, the largest planned zero net energy development in the United States.

The first two phases of this 130-acre development included two apartment communities for students and faculty (The Ramble and Viridian), a 15,000-square-foot recreation center, study rooms, a movie theater, resort style pool and hot tub, 15,000 square feet of retail space, and a new campus for Los Rios Community College, the first community college center to be built on a University of California campus.

The newest addition to West Village, Solstice Apartments, will offer furnished units with bathrooms in each bedroom. Community amenities include an outdoor resort-style pool, study lounges with Wi-Fi and a fitness center. Solstice residents will also share access to the amenity package offered at the recreation center.

West Village employs energy efficiency measures to meet energy demands through on-site solar power generation. The residential community also integrates energy conservation, sustainable energy production, environmentally conscious site and landscape design, and access to environmentally friendly transportation to result in an energy footprint of zero impact.

West Village Community Partnership financed the $280 million needed for the first phase of construction. UC Davis owns the land at West Village, while WVCP holds a 65-year ground lease. UC Davis invested approximately $17 million in the project for utilities and road construction. The project also garnered $7.5 million in state and federal grants for sustainable growth.

 

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