Green Living in Chattanooga
Sustainable, Earth-friendly, green—how many times have you heard these and other similar terms? The argument concerning global warming seems endless and has become an extremely politicized, well, argument. Well, actions speak louder than words, and Chattanooga’s commitment to making eco living a reality is proof of just that.
It was back in 2005 that the City of Chattanooga made the bold decision of placing their entire fleet of diesel-operated vehicles on a biodiesel blend. The reason for such a move is simple—besides making economic sense in that it reduces wear and tear on equipment as well as improving fuel efficiency, it will help the city preserve its most precious resource—the environment.
Another example of Chattanooga’s clear intent of becoming a beacon of socially and ecologically sustainable living is its Madison Street project. Once a run-down neighborhood near downtown Chattanooga, the efforts of a new breed of visionaries has transformed it into a place full of artistic and innovative energy. Many artists gave chosen to create and exhibit their work here. Galleries, restaurants and coffee shops abound in this vibrantly wonderful community. One man in particular, designer/developer Christian Rushing has chosen Madison Street as the home for several LEED-accredited (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) homes.
These innovative homes will be built in front of a 2-acre public park on Madison Street in an area known as Jefferson Heights, bringing the future of home building to the Chattanooga properties market. They will feature state-of-the-art technologies in ecologically sound construction and living. Nothing is overlooked here when it comes to building the Chattanooga homes of tomorrow. Renewable materials throughout as well as the recycling of at least 75% of the waste generated by the construction are just two noteworthy aspects. Locally procured materials will also be used as well as the most advanced, Earth-friendly appliances. The design of these truly unique homes is also key to their low carbon footprint and sustainability.
Of course, not all Chattanooga homes are built with such eco-friendly care. However, the fact that the City of Chattanooga has shown a clear commitment to actually taking palpable and meaningful steps in this direction shows that this is a community that cares about the place it calls home. Who wouldn’t want to live in such a place? After all, there are many steps homeowners can take to transform current homes into places of eco living. When people buy Chattanooga properties, whether they’re planning to relocate or simply want to invest, they’re buying into the promise of a very bright future in a place where people live conscientiously and are aware about the impact they have on the environment and its future.