Bicycles, Green Homes and a perfect spring day in Asheville!

I grew up with a love of bicycles. Now at 36 years of age I understand that they are an inseparable part of my life and lifestyle. When I was young it was more about the thrill of exploration and catching air on my backyard bmx track. While those two aspects are still a part of my love for bicycles my understanding of the power and possibility of the bicycle evolved while living without a car in my college days.


During my first years of college I relied on my bike to take me everywhere I needed to go while studying environmental science. Several of my classes closely examined the true cost to a society built around a dependence on the automobile and it was during this time that I strived to one day make a difference in some way. After graduation I learned that Real Estate is not the best career choice for someone who would prefer to be on two wheels however over the past 8 years of my 11 year real estate career I have begun to understand the effect my knowledge of and passion can have.

Mahatma Gandhi eloquently said "Be the change you want to see in the world." This quote has always been a favorite of mine and one that I have tried to live by. Considering that our buildings and transportation consume the major percentage of our energy usage it only made sense to organize the 2nd Annual Green Building Bike Tour. It is with this perspective and my life experience that I am fortunate to apply my passion to my career choice and attempt to make a difference even if it is only a small one. And by organizing events such as the bike tour that I am able to meet so many great people who share my vision for what is possible.

I want to thank everyone who took part in the Strive Not to Drive Campaign last week in Asheville and certainly thank all those who participated in the Green Home Bike Tour. We can make a difference and I am very pleased to announce the bike tour alone raised $300 dollars for Asheville’s primary advocacy group for multimodal transportation, Asheville on Bikes. I also want to thank, Mosaic Realty and Mike Figura for all he has done to improve and address green building options for Ashevillians, Biowheels for their commitment to green building and alternative transportation, Green Builders Anthony Brenner with Push Design and JAG Construction owner Jody Guokas who not only built homes featured on the tour but participated in the entire bike ride as well.

It is with the help of these individuals, business owners, participants and organizers of Strive Not to Drive week and bike tour that change happens. Enjoy some photos of this year’s tour and thanks again to everyone who was involved! Justin

Healthy Built Homes and Healthy Transportation

James and Amanda Boren provided cyclist a great start to the tour at our first stop on Waynesville Road.

47 Waynesville Road makes a very small footprint on the Asheville area.

Bikes in yard. What a wonderful site.

Going green doesn't require a new home. Mike Figura covering an energy audit of an older home.

Push Designs latest project in West Asheville. First home built in Asheville using no toxic materials.

Push Design founder Anthony Brenner in front of the hemp wall and discussing the green aspects of the home.

Getting ready to roll.

Green Homes in Davenport Park in West Asheville.

JAG Construction owner and tour participant Jody Goukas talking about Davenport Park's Green features.

Participants gathering at the Gaia Development.

Mosaic Realty owner and Gaia founder Mike Figura talking about the conservation efforts implemented into the Gaia Development.

Community Garden in the works at Gaia.

Community garden and common area at the Hudson Street Cottages in West Asheville.

I look forward to the next Green Home Bike Tour and hope to meet more wonderful people who share my vision.

All the best,

Justin 

2011 Green Home Bike Tour! Bicycles and Building Science.

We're going for another ride... Last year's Green Home Bike Tour was a great event and from the smiles on people faces in the photos from last year I am looking forward to another tour in 2011. If you didn't make it to last years event, here is the info.

Take a bike ride through Asheville’s core neighborhoods and learn more about green building at the second annual Green Home Bike Tour on May 21st. The tour will include a variety of green properties and provide participants information on bicycle routes and alternative transportation options in Asheville.

Mike Figura and I will lead a tour of 6-7 properties ranging from a commercial green rehab to the first home built in Asheville from all nontoxic materials. Green building professionals will be available at select properties to answer questions and provide information about green features and construction methods.

The tour will originate at Biowheels Bike Shop and visit properties in the Downtown and West Asheville areas. The ride will be approximately ten miles in total distance and due to the hilly nature of the Asheville landscape a moderate fitness level is suggested and helmets are required.

Start: Biowheels: 81 Coxe Ave. Presentation at 12:00. Ride begins at 12:30
Finish: Biowheels: 81 Coxe Ave. Post ride will begin at 5:00

A suggested donation of $5 - $10 will go to benefit Asheville on Bikes a local nonprofit organization focused on improving Asheville’s cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

A post ride reception at Biowheels will offer refreshments from local craft breweries and food from Doc Cheys.

For general information or to register for the tour Please email me at JustInAsheville@gmail.com with the number of people in your party or you can sign up at Biowheels at 81 Coxe Ave. I may also be reached at (828)713-9400.

The event is sponsored by Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty, Biowheels and Pisgah Brewing Company.

Here are few of the properties that will be featured on the tour.

The Kestrel - This home has caught many people's attention and I am excited to show participants the interior of this unique property. Located at 47 Waynesville Road near the River Arts District this home features a small footprint and offers 973 sq ft of green built living area over three floors.


Hudson Street Cottages - A courtyard community in West Asheville featuring community gardens, solar, and many more green features. Developer Mike Figura will be on hand to answer questions regarding this exciting concept community.

Rich Street Hemp House - Though this home has yet to be built Push Design will be on hand at a home recently completed to discuss the features of this home. The demonstration will take place at Asheville's first home built from all nontoxic materials on Pruitt Street in West Asheville.

Davenport Park in West Asheville by JAG Builders. Great microcommunity walking / biking distance from all that West Asheville has to offer and located adjacent to a community park. Green Built with solar and top notch construction.

Clingman Lofts - Participants will tour a one bedroom and two bedroom unit. These properties are Healthy Built Certified and come with attractive financing options via Mountain Housing Opportunities. Great location for the price.


Since buying a new green property is only one way of living in a green home, I am excited to announce that the tour will provide a demonstration showcasing a homeowners options to improve an existing property. Choosing to live in a home that has already exist is very green option when you factor the embodied energy it takes to build a new structure. Participants will tour an older home in need of improvements and professionals will be on hand to show what methods and materials can be used to improve energy efficiency and create a healthier indoor living environment.

Hope to see you on this year's tour!

Justin

A few new moves in 2011

I am excited to announce that I am now working with Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty. I had the pleasure in meeting Mike Figura almost a year ago while working on the Green Home Bike Tour that I planned and hosted. Mike brings a wealth of experience and a moral compass that is as fine as any Realtor that I ever had the pleasure in working with.

It was with great pleasure that I began working with his company, Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty about two months ago. Since that time I have seen my business pick up and I have had the pleasure in working with a number of the finest builders, both Green and Traditional, that Asheville has to offer.

In my pursuit to be a positive force in the movement to encourage more environmentally friendly lifestyles I recently worked directly with a company that I feel has a clear idea of the direction that Green Building will ultimate take and is pushing the envelope in a number of ways. Push Design has created a building system that offers both benefits to the natural and human environment. Push Design is located here in Asheville and was created by Anthony Brenner.

The company received national attention when the first Push House was placed in the spotlight by a wonderful piece on CNN but still maintains a humbleness and direct connection to their goals and clients. I feel honored to be able to say that I have watched this company grow and very honored to represent the first listed Hemp House in the country.

In other news there will be another Green Home Bike Tour this year that will take place on May 21st. It will be sponsored by Mosaic Realty, Biowheels and Pisgah Brewing Company and there will several wonderful homes on tour and a number of professionals in the Green Building Industry on hand to answer questions and wonderful food and beverages for the participants after the event.

Stay tuned. The blog will once again be providing information on events and news the happens Just In Asheville and I can say that 2011 is going to be a great year!

Thanks for reading.

Justin Mitchell

Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty

828.713.9400