The city of Boston is launching a “green building” program to construct 10 homes that produce more energy than they use. The homes are expected to be built on three city-owned parcels in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. The Boston Redevelopment Authority has issued a request-for-proposals for the development and sale of the homes, according to the announcement from Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.
Dubbed the Energy Positive (or E+) Green Building Demonstration Program, the project seeks to “demonstrate that energy positive housing can be constructed sustainably and cost-effectively, while enhancing the livability of Boston’s neighborhoods now and into the future,” Menino said in the announcement.
The homes would be “ultra-efficient” and generate excess clean energy for the grid, though the announcement doesn’t mention any specific types of clean energy technologies. A single development team can seek to develop more than one parcel, but must submit separate proposals for each site, according to the city. Submissions are due by May 31. E+ seeks to build upon the city’s Article 37 Green Building Zoning and its Green Affordable Housing Guidelines.