Sustainable Morris, MN Project

Construction: to be determined

Units:  to be determined

Status: Start date to be determined, likely in 2009

Project Description:

The City of Morris plans to redevelop a centrally-located 17-acre site that used to house the elementary school. The Morris community, well-known for their focus on sustainability, has chosen eco-affordable housing to be the main focus of the redevelopment.

Morris has a population of 5,100 and is located in western Minnesota.   Home to both the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) and the West Central Research and Outreach Center (ROC), Morris is very involved in positive environmental impact research. Currently approximately 40 percent of the energy for the campus is generated by a 230 foot wind turbine run by the ROC, and a new biomass energy facility is under construction on the campus. UMM also has plans for a "green dorm" and recently hired a Sustainability Coordinator to help “green” the campus.

A local housing study concluded that 20-25 new homes are needed. Like many communities in rural Minnesota, Morris has expressed an interest in design that can sustain multiple generations, such as 36-inch-wide doors and single-floor layouts for universal accessibility, as well as off-grid energy production and the use of local materials.

The homes will be designed to encourage a sense of community, reflect the local housing style, and minimize the environmental impact as much as possible.  

Possible “green” design aspects include the following:

• Solar passive design
• Natural daylighting and solartubes in interior rooms
• In-floor radiant heat
• Geo-thermal heating and cooling
• Small floor plan and footprint
• Advanced framing techniques or prefabricated panels
• A detached, shared garage structure
• Energy-efficient appliances
• On-site stormwater management
• On-site energy production
• Low-maintenance landscaping
• Low-VOC or no-VOC paints and adhesives
• FSC certified wood

Utilizing local products and vendors will also be a large focus for this project. Wood from local Minnesota forests, high-efficiency fireplaces from Greenbush, MN, and solar panels from Starbuck, MN are being explored, among other possibilities. The project is currently in the preliminary design phase with a start date to be determined.

Project Links and Resources:

The Morris Sun Tribune

http://www.morrissuntribune.com/

UMM: Welcome to a Green Campus

http://www.morris.umn.edu/greencampus/

West Central Research and Outreach Center

http://wcroc.cfans.umn.edu/Renewable_Energy2.html

USDA ARS Lab in Morris

http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=36-45-00-00