Clark Realty Builders Recognized with Recycler of the Year Award

SAN DIEGO — Clark Realty Builders has been honored by the San Diego Environmental Services Department with the 2006 Waste Reduction & Diversion Recycler of the Year Award.

The award, which recognizes local businesses and organizations for their environmental achievements, was presented to Clark on May 11 during the Annual San Diego Earth Works VIP (Very Important Planet) Reception. The company was selected for its overall environmental commitment, as well as for its innovative re-use of demolition materials at Gateway Village and The Village at Serra Mesa projects, both Navy family housing communities.

"It is an honor to be recognized for our efforts," said Jim Forburger, senior vice president of Clark Realty Builders. "Environmental stewardship is a key component of our corporate strategy."

Including Gateway Village and The Village at Serra Mesa, Clark is partnered with the United States Navy to build and manage more than 1,900 new homes and manage over 9,000 existing homes throughout Naval Complex San Diego. The military homes developed by Clark have gained recognition at both the local and national level including such honors as the Environmental Protection Agency's Smart Growth Award.

"In our partnership with the U.S. Navy in building high quality homes for Sailors and Marines, we take great care to reduce waste and re-use demolition material where possible," Forburger said. "We fully participate in the typical construction debris recycling, where we sort and recycle drywall, cardboard, and clean wood. We also take it much further, and crush and re-use large amounts of concrete, asphalt, and gravel from whole house demolition in the construction of new streets and as base for utility trenches at several of our projects."

Clark estimates they are re-using over 200,000 tons of recycled material onsite at two of their Navy housing projects. Additionally, at all five Clark offices within the City, employees take part in recycling efforts by separating all white paper, plastics/bottles/aluminum, and mixed paper.

Clark's partnership with the Navy has invested nearly $400 million in San Diego's local military communities over the last four years alone, with more than 40% of its work going to small business enterprises and locally-owned companies. Most recently, Clark has been selected as the Navy's partner for Pacific Beacon, a three building, 18-story high-rise residential complex for single enlisted sailors stationed in San Diego. With the development and construction of Pacific Beacon, Clark will continue its positive impact on the city of San Diego with an additional investment of approximately $300 million into the local economy and the creation of hundreds of new jobs.

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