Award-Winning Town Of Harmony Welcomes Its first Family

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Award-Winning Town Of Harmony Welcomes Its first Family

FLORIDA, HARMONY, Jun. 18 -/E-Wire/-- After more than seven years of planning and preparation, the big moment arrived for central Florida's award-winning new conservation community: the first residents moved in and made Harmony their home. Already, the first family is planning a barbecue get-together for the future residents who will soon be joining them.

"You can't believe how much we've anticipated this moment," said Jim Lentz, community co-founder (with his wife, Martha Lentz) and president of Three E Corporation, general partner in Birchwood Acres, the firm which is developing the huge Osceola County property , "but it's just the start. By mid July, we hope to have fifty people moved in and enjoying the Harmony lifestyle."

Over the next few months, Harmony will complete the transition from what had been purely a construction site to individual neighborhoods. Unlike most new developments, the project calls for each neighborhood to be completed all at one time, rather than having what seems like endless construction of homes taking place on one street.

Harmony's neighborhood design, which includes sidewalks and walk-to-everything convenience, encourages people to get to know everyone in their neighborhood. It's a small town feel reminiscent of St. Cloud and Kissimmee in their early days. Each neighborhood will be limited to just over 100 homes, and will offer three mini parks for their residents' pleasure.

Neighborhoods will be separated by larger parks offering activities for people â and in one case, dogs â of all ages. Dog parks have become popular throughout the United States, but Harmony's is unique. It's the first such park to be incorporated into the master plan of a new community. Geared to canine fitness and fun, the park has two fenced areas providing safe havens in which dogs, both large and small, can frolic off the leash. Picnic grounds and child play areas are adjacent to the dog runs, meaning all members of the same family (two-legged and four legged) can enjoy a day in the park.

"It's another way in which we try to encourage that community feeling," said Lentz. "It's amazing how strangers will stop to talk with one another when one of them is accompanied by a child or a dog. For people who like the convivial nature and other benefits of small town living, we think Harmony's design offers the best of two worlds â a choice of beautiful new homes and an old-fashioned hometown way of life."

Harmony is dedicated to providing residents with this small town lifestyle, while protecting its Old Florida setting. The land is a treasure and includes 11,000 acres of pristine wilderness highlighted by a wide array of wildlife, two natural five-hundred-acre lakes, and miles of trails. While it's all available for use by Harmony's residents, more than 6,000 acres will be preserved in its original state.

Within that setting will be an all-inclusive community that offers everything in the way of contemporary comfort and convenience, and where every community amenity will be within walking distance of home. The critically acclaimed, 18-hole, Johnny Miller signature golf course is already open to the public, as is a K-3 charter school that will eventually be K-8, and an all-new Osceola County high school is under construction. But much more is in the works.

When complete, Harmony will center on a tree-lined village square bordered by a commercial district where broad streets and walkways lead to quaint shops, theaters, restaurants, and even a pet cafÃ©, as well as in-town condominiums and town houses. Nearby, residents will find a community tavern and social center, a riding stable and a swim center. There will also be a business park, meaning some lucky residents may be able to work within steps of their homes. Public lighting here, and throughout Harmony, will be Dark-Sky compliant. It will face downward, reducing light pollution and providing starry views on clear nights.

Just beyond the town square, lushly landscaped neighborhoods will boast homes in a broad range of designs and prices. The homes will be neo-traditional in style, and many will feature rear alley-entry garages. All homes will be Energy StarÂ®-certified, meaning they comply with standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and will consume 30% less energy than homes average on a national basis. Decorator single-family models are now open, and come from five highly regarded builders: Distinctive Homes, D.R. Horton Homes, MWA Builders, Robertson Homes, Inc. and Wetherington Builders. Prices range from the $140's to the $600's.

The Welcome Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 6 and Sunday from 11 to 6. From Kissimmee, take U.S. 192/441 east 17 miles to the entrance on the left. To know more about Harmony, phone (407) 891-8358, or visit www.harmonyfl.com.

"Maybe the most amazing thing about Harmony," said Jim Lentz in closing, "is its recognition by the 2003 Parade of Homes. Within months of opening and with only a fraction of the community completed, we received a Merit Award ranking Harmony among central Florida's best communities. But as surprising and gratifying as it was, we expect even more great things as Harmony continues to grow. So stay tuned."

Jim Lentz and Greg Golgowski, 1-407/891-1616,

Paul Abercrombie, 1-813/258-0688

http://www.harmonyfl.com

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