May 10, 2007

Construction began Thursday on a new environmentally friendly neighborhood. The development, called Belvedere, is located on 207 acres off of Rio Road East in Albemarle County.

The neighborhood is expected to have a mix of lofts, townhomes and single family homes as well as 700 Energy Star and Earthcraft certified homes.

"This is a community where people are going to want to get out of their house and walk to our neighborhood parks, down to the Rivanna River organic farm. It's a neighborhood with a lot to offer," said Chris Schooley, director of land development.

The first homes in the new development will be available in early spring of 2008.