WCI Communities, Inc. Gift Assures Florida Gulf Coast University Green Building Project to Go Forth

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WCI Communities, Inc. Gift Assures Florida Gulf Coast

University Green Building Project to Go Forth

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For Immediate Release

WCI Communities, Inc. Gift Assures Florida Gulf Coast

University Green Building Project to Go Forth

FLORIDA, FORT MYERS, May. 17 -/E-Wire/-- Florida Gulf Coast University's commitment to environmental education forged ahead recently when WCI Communities, Inc. President

Jerry Starkey delivered a $350,000 check to FGCU President William C. Merwin, helping

the University complete its fundraising campaign for the Green Building project. To

be named the WCI Green Building Demonstration and Learning Center, the facility will

foster environmentally sustainable and healthy building, housing and landscape

practices in Southwest Florida through demonstration projects and educational outreach programs.

"We are delighted that WCI is partnering with the University on this important project that emphasizes environmental sustainability,' said President Merwin. "FGCU offers a strong academic curriculum and degree program in environmental studies, and our students will benefit from the instructional attributes of this demonstration project that illustrates the appropriate balance between responsible

development and environmental conservation.'

Jerry Starkey said WCI was excited about the opportunity to participate in the Green

Building Program. "The 2,600 Florida-based employees of WCI understand the importance

of protecting the quality of life in the communities where we live. Programs such as

the Green Building Center play an important role in helping all of us become better

stewards of the environment," he said. "While WCI is already employing many

sustainable practices in its land development and homebuilding operations, I look

forward to the many new and practical ideas that the Green Building Center will bring our business."

The Green Building project was instituted in the spring of 1998 by a group of individuals associated with the building industry who saw the need to help people

make better decisions about building and landscaping to improve quality of life

opportunities for present and future generations. They approached FGCU to partner in

this endeavor. As a result, the WCI Green Building Demonstration and Learning Center is the first demonstration project and teaching

facility with a focus on environmentally sustainable building practices and

environmentally friendly landscaping.

Southwest Florida has a natural infrastructure, a subtropical natural environment

that provides "quality of life services" such as clean air, clean water, water

storage, sites for ecotourism, fisheries and biodiversity. The concern is that current

building and landscaping practices are placing unsustainable pressures on the natural

infrastructure and reducing quality of life. Current building practices are using up

limited resources at great ecological and economic costs. "Green' building and

landscaping techniques appropriate to Southwest Florida's unique climate and

environment can conserve energy, water, materials, time and natural ecosystems while

promoting safety, health and accessibility.

The WCI Green Building Demonstration and Learning Center will be the catalyst for

environmentally sustainable demonstration projects and outreach programs designed for

building and landscape professionals and conservationists. The building itself will be

-- Environmentally sustainable building practices -- Use of resource efficient materials -- Healthy house design -- Environmentally friendly landscaping -- Water conservation systems -- Solar energy applications -- Energy efficiency -- Non-toxic building materials -- Design for handicapped and elderly -- Hurricane protection features -- Recycling systems -- Safe house features -- Low maintenance cost -- Long term durability -- Ease of use

The educational outreach program will strive to:

-- Reach a broad range of individuals and groups in the community -- Partner with others that have already developed similar programs -- Identify gaps in the educational process -- Develop marketing strategies to insure for maximum participants -- Use a mix of delivery modes for delivery of green building information to the community

Florida Gulf Coast University is currently offering courses such as a Colloquium,

required of all students, Issues in Ecology and the Environment, Environmental

Technology, and Conservation Strategies for Sustainable Future to address

environmental sustainability issues. FGCU continuing education programs in

partnerships with professional architecture, building, interior design and landscape

design associations can be provided. The FGCU Small Business Innovation Center offers

advice and information to new entrepreneurial "green building' businesses.

Today's event marked the culmination of three years of work by University officials

and groups associated with the home building industry to bring the plans to life. The

$500,000 raised from the community by the FGCU Foundation, Inc. is matched dollar for

dollar by the State legislature. The design phase for the building will begin December

2001. The building will be located near the main entrance to the University.

For more than 50 years WCI has been creating amenity-rich, leisure-oriented master-planned communities that serve affluent homebuyers in Florida.

Based in Bonita Springs on Florida's southwest coast, WCI is a privately held company with 30 communities located in many of Florida's coastal markets. WCI builds

most of the homes sold in its award-winning communities that currently feature 468

holes of golf, more than 1,000 boat slips at five deep-water marinas, and various

country club, tennis and recreational facilities and several luxury hotels. The

company's land holdings include approximately 16,000 acres planned for as many as

WCI's homebuilding operations serve primarily second move-up, retirement and

second-home buyers. In addition to traditional single and multi-family homes, WCI

further distinguishes itself by building luxury high-rise residences. It also derives

income from ancillary businesses including Prudential Florida WCI Realty, mortgage,

title and property management services, as well as through the operation of its

amenities such as golf courses, restaurants and marinas.

WCI Communities, Inc.

http://www.wcicommunities.com

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