ROAD CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE AT ECO-FRIENDLY DEVELOPMENT

September 7, 2007
LAPORTE, INDIANA:  The developer for Avant Gardens announced today that road construction is now complete at the 103-acre development at Fail Road and 700 North in Galena Township.

The mile-long road, constructed by Rieth-Riley Construction Company (LaPorte, Indiana), winds through the open prairie and over several large hills within the development of 20 home sites. The development, which has been designed as an eco-friendly community, will feature 60 acres of Wildlife and Forest Preserve (as classified by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.)

Site engineering for the community was provided by Palm & Associates, Inc. of New Carlisle, Indiana. As Bob Palm, principal of Palm & Associates explains, “The well-drained and rolling terrain of Galena Township, combined with the low density plans specified by the developers of Avant Gardens, made this an ideal development for natural run-off controls. We designed the road and the home sites so that we could optimize the use of the open prairie – enhanced by several swales – to help guide any rain water (or melting snow) into the many ravines on the property.” To utilize natural run-off controls, the LaPorte County Commissioners granted the development a variance from curbs and gutters. “When curbs and gutters are installed into a community, the rain water is channelized. This results in large, concentrated flows being directed into storm sewers,” explained Palm. “This isn’t an environmentally friendly method of controlling run-off in many rural settings.” Avant Gardens is located in the northwest corner of LaPorte County where residential zoning sets the minimum lot size at one-half acres.

“Using the natural terrain of the development is a more ecologically desirable way to control run-off in low-density communities. At Avant Gardens the storm runoff will sheet flow naturally into the prairie to help irrigate the native grasses that will soon be planted. Additional run-off will follow the vegetated swales and travel into the ravines,” Palm noted.

Palm & Associates, Inc. provides consulting engineering and land surveying services. Palm & Associates has provided similar services for Tryon Farms, Pepper Creek, and Sagamore. Another Palm & Associates project, Harrison West, was awarded the 2003 Indiana Governors Award for Environmental Excellence.

Avant Gardens is being developed by Avant-Gardens Development LLC., a Chicago-based partnership established to develop low density, eco-friendly communities.

For further information contact:
June Kirchgatter
Managing Partner, Avant Gardens Development LLC
Tel: 312-455-1991
Fax: 312-455-1944
E-mail: june@avgardens.com