FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2004	CONTACTS: Tom Matott (New Town Builders) (303) 355-1352 (o) tomm@greentreehomes.com June Barnes (Home Builders Foundation) (303) 778-1400, Ext 212 jbarnes@hbfdenver.org Tom Gleason Forest City Stapleton, Inc. (303) 382-1800 tgleason@stapletondenver.com
Governor Owens Joins New Town Builders and Forest City in Groundbreaking for Inspiration House at Stapleton to Benefit Home Builders Foundation
Denver—Governor Bill Owens today joined New Town Builders and Forest City in breaking ground for the 2004 “Inspiration House” at Stapleton to benefit The Home Builders Foundation. “Inspiration House” is an annual program in which a member of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Denver (HBA) builds a new home at below normal cost using donated materials and labor. Dubbed “Inspiration House,” the new home is then sold at full market value with all profits being donated to the Home Builders Foundation (HBF). New Town Builders, one of 19 builders constructing homes at Stapleton, will construct the 2004 Inspiration House on land donated by Forest City Stapleton, Inc., the master developer of the former airport property. Former CU athlete to benefit The HBF uses the donated funds to assist people who have been disabled through acts of crime or other tragedies. Among the beneficiaries this year will be former University of Colorado quarterback John Hessler, who is a patient in Craig Hospital after being seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver in October of last year. At the time of the accident, Mr. Hessler was a middle-school teacher in Adams County and a junior varsity football coach at Regis Jesuit High School. Following his college career in football, John Hessler had played baseball in The Colorado Rockies minor leagues system. "The worst consequence - of any act of crime - is the violence inflicted on innocent victims," said Governor Owens. "Inspiration House is one way we can assist people who have been disabled by crime, and it's a great example of Coloradans coming together to help one another." “The Inspiration House is a remarkable way for the Denver home building community to give back,” said Jack Dorwart, HBF president and owner of Bonaventure Homes. “The 2004 Inspiration House represents a tremendous commitment of time, materials, labor and services from New Town Builders, Forest City Stapleton and their associates. But the true spirit of this undertaking comes to light when we see how it benefits folks like the Hesslers,” Mr. Dorwart said. “I have never been prouder to be part of a community service program.” “The Inspiration House has a wonderful purpose, that of helping victims of crime and circumstance,” said Gene Myers, principal and founder of New Town Builders. “We are pleased to be a part of this unique fundraiser and look forward to having this opportunity to give back to the community.” “We applaud New Town Builders and the Home Builders Foundation for the important contribution they are making to our community, and we are proud to support them in that effort,” said Denise Gammon, senior vice president-residential development for Forest City Stapleton, Inc. “This program should be a ‘source of inspiration” for everyone in the home builder industry who is looking for a unique way to give back to help people in need.” The 2004 Inspiration House built by New Town Builders will be the 2,323 square foot Logan. This two-story home, priced at $470,000, features ten-foot ceilings on the first floor, two and one half baths, and four bedrooms. There is also a formal dining room, formal living room, and a two-car garage. The projected profit from the sale of the house that will be donated to the Home Builders Foundation is in excess of $250,000.00. About The Home Builder Foundation The Home Builder Foundation raises funds to aid victims of tragic circumstances in the Denver area who are in need of home renovations. Formed in 1993, The Foundation partners with suppliers, homebuilders, subcontractors and other volunteers to help those who desperately need enhancement or accessibility to their homes. Past beneficiaries include victims of the Columbine High School shootings and other victims of crime and tragedy in the Denver Metropolitan Area. About New Town Builders New Town Builders is located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. As a new urbanist builder, New Town Builders aspires to build communities where people will be proud to live, both now and in the years to come. New Town’s exterior styling is reminiscent of older parts of Denver, yet the homes are designed for the way people live today. For more information on New Town Builders visit www.newtownbuilders.com or call (303) 707-4400. About Stapleton The redevelopment of Denver’s former Stapleton International Airport by Forest City is one of the largest urban redevelopments in the nation. When fully developed in 15-20 years, the 4,700-acre Stapleton property will become a series of mixed-use, urban neighborhoods of 12,000 homes and apartments affordably priced for a range of household incomes. It is projected that Stapleton will have 30,000 residents who live within walking distance of jobs, retail, schools and public transportation. It is also anticipated that Stapleton will have 13 million square feet of offices and retail providing 35,000 jobs. More than 800 homes are now occupied at Stapleton. Described by Forest City as the new standard for “the art of urban living,” Stapleton will be enhanced by more than 1,100 acres of new parks and open space. Stapleton’s commitment to “smart growth” has earned international and national recognition that includes awards from the Stockholm Partnership for Sustainable Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and The National League of Cities. About Forest City Stapleton, Inc. Forest City Stapleton, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest City Enterprises, Inc., a $5.7 billion NYSE-listed real estate company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The Company is principally engaged in the ownership, development, acquisition and management of commercial and residential real estate throughout the United States. The Company’s portfolio includes interests in retail centers, apartment communities, office buildings and hotels in 22 states and the District of Columbia.