Xcel Energy offers rebates on LED lighting

Recently Xcel Energy announced rebates for businesses looking to install LED, or light emitting diode, lighting for both retrofit and new construction applications. There is a separate program for small businesses. According to Xcel, up to 44% of a business utility bill is allocated to lighting and with an LED bulb using up to 3% of the energy of a standard incandescent and lasting about 66 times longer, the savings could be substantial. The rebate applications are very long and only certain manufacturers and models will qualify; however, this program seems like a great step forward in greater acceptance of more efficient lighting. 

Luxury apartments planned for LoHi neighborhood

A recent article at the Inside Real Estate New website reported that a new luxury apartment low rise is being built at 17th and Central. The building is across the street from the Highland pedestrian bridge linking downtown to the LoHi neighborhood. Ground floor retail space and 3500 square feet of office will further emphasize neighborhood walkability and density. The apartments are aimed at a higher-income renter in an area where few rental options are available. At a time when most downtown rentals are experiencing nearly 100 percent occupancies, the project is expected to be a great success. 

Venture Pitches Rec Center to City of Pueblo

The Pueblo Chieftain ran a front page article yesterday on Venture Architecture's presentation to the Pueblo City Council on Monday night.  At the City Council work session, Venture partner and architect, Martin Goldstein presented a video that showed the warehouse at 205 N. Elizabeth St. in Pueblo transformed into a modern recreational facility housing aquatics, fitness, and multi-use court/in-door field areas.  

Please take a look at some of our images of the potential future rec center, and read the Chieftain article, "Downtown Rec Center Pitched to Council".

B's Ballpark Museum in LoDo Opens

B's Ballpark Museum is officially open!  Next time you are in LoDo or going to a game at Coors Field, stop by 1940 Blake St. and see what Smithsonian Books calls, "one of the top 21 private baseball collections in the World." B's Ballpark Museum

Venture Architecture re-designed an existing retail level condo in an 110 year-old warehouse in Denver's LoDo Historic District for B's Ballpark Museum.  The space integrates a museum with a major collection of baseball park memorabilia and a new office suite for an accounting firm. 

First Comprehensive Zoning Overhaul Passed by City Council

Of the 60 or so citizens that showed up on Monday to speak for or against the new Denver City Zoning Code, those "for" and "against" were pretty evenly split.  The first Zoning Code overhaul since 1956 addresses issues such as disallowing multiplexes and duplexes in some neighborhoods.  It steers the City toward more growth and density along transit routes and established neighborhoods.  Check out this Denver Post article to learn more.

Featured Green Product: Flotender Grey Water Systems

Flotender Grey Water Systems use a sophisticated filtration system to recycle water from your shower, bath, and washing machine.  It's drip system waters your lawn and plants using recycled water, allowing for a 32% reduction in landscape water usage.  Learn more about Flotender here:  Flotender Grey Water Systems.  

ISH Trade Convention Showcases Bathroom Design, Green HVAC Technology

For anyone looking to further their knowledge of energy efficient heating and air-conditioning technology, renewable energy & bathroom design, and wanting to visit Frankfurt, Germany next year, consider the ISH Trade Convention on March 15-19, 2011.  The ISH concept is based on the "optimum combination of water and energy".  This trade conference has taken place for the past 50 years, and brings together over 2,400 manufacturers from all over the world to present new products and forward thinking solutions.  For more information, visit the ISH 2011 website.