When planning a new apartment complex in Ellicott City, the county Housing Commission envisioned a “green” development with environmentally friendly features.

But they hadn’t counted on, or budgeted for, a wind turbine to help generate power.

However, the windmill was a bonus contributed by the contractor that built the Ellicott Gardens public apartment complex. Old Town Construction installed the windmill at Ellicott Gardens July 2. The complex, at 5505 Waterloo Road, is set to open Sept. 4.

“We had a tight budget for this project but we knew the county was trying to promote green standards and environmentally conscious buildings so we thought this would be a nice donation,” said Jared Spahn, president of Old Town Construction.

The windmill will provide energy for the building’s common areas such as the hallways, elevators, parking garage and gym. The fixture will generate at least 400 kilowatt hours of energy each month, Spahn said.

Familiar with Old Town Construction’s work on the Waverly Gardens development in Woodstock, one of the first green housing projects in the area, the Howard County Housing Commission selected the Ellicott City-based company to work on its new complex.

“The president (of Old Town Construction) offered to donate the wind turbine before construction on the project began and we were very happy with it — it’s not something that happens very often if at all,” said Stacy Spann, director for the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Spahn, who has been a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional since 2004, described the Ellicott Gardens project as “Version 2.0 of Waverly Gardens.”

Baltimore-based architecture firm Hord Coplan Macht designed the building with other sustainable elements -- a reflective roof, fiber cement siding, insulated windows, underground parking, HVAC systems and energy efficient lighting.

Both Old Town Construction and Hord Coplan Macht worked together on the LEED-certified Waverly Gardens complex in 2004.

Although the Ellicott Gardens project is not pursuing LEED certification, James Black, senior associate for Hord Coplan Macht, said they wanted to add the same sustainable elements installed at Waverly Gardens for the Ellicott Gardens project.

“We just didn’t feel the need to put a label on it or spend $5,000 to get the LEED certification when we all already knew what went into a ‘green’ building,” Spahn said.

The apartment complex, which includes one- and two-bedroom units that range from $615 to $867 a month, has been under construction since June 2008.

“We’re extremely excited about where it is and extremely pleased with the design and construction of the building,” Spann said. 

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user comments (4)

user milton says...

Stacy Spann, director for the Department of Housing and Community Development, is either very easily impressed or does not understand how little power this turbine is producing. 400 kilowatt hours of electricity is worth about $60 a month. This is hardly worth making a fuss over.

Posted 5:57 PM, 07.14.09 | Permalink

user independent says...

It's a step in the right direction.

Posted 7:38 AM, 07.15.09 | Permalink

user lisbonite says...

Saving the equivalent of 10% of the rent is nothing to sniff at for lower income residents. Plus, it was donated voluntarily by the developer, NOT paid for by the county. It would seem like this is a scenario that's ideal for all involved.

Posted 10:49 AM, 07.15.09 | Permalink

user milton says...

Let me clarify. The $60 per month in electricity is not for each unit- that is the grand total amount of power produced by this windmill. If there are 60 units, each unit saves $1 a month. I am glad that the county did not have to pay for this windmill, but I am wondering why a county official is the one who is talking to the reporters about it.

Posted 11:54 AM, 07.15.09 | Permalink