Desert Color is Utah’s First Localscapes Development
ST. GEORGE, UT—(February 5, 2020) Desert Color–a 3,400 acre master-planned community located on SITLA land east of I-15 and the Southern Parkway—is Utah’s first master-planned community to adopt the Localscapes standards for the entire development. Localscapes is a statewide program that encourages functional, water-efficient landscape design.
The announcement was shared in St. George Mayor Jon Pike’s “State of the City” address earlier today. “We claim bragging rights to a lot of firsts when it comes to water conservation in Utah,” he said. “Washington County was the first in Utah to have a water conservation plan; the first to meet the governor’s statewide water conservation goal; and we’re the first to house a Localscapes master-planned community. We care about water conservation and our actions underscore our commitment.”
According to Mitch Dansie, Desert Color’s General Manager, the decision to adopt Localscapes principles community wide was an easy one. “The city, developer, homebuilders and other partners share a vision of creating a thoughtful and sustainable community,” he said. “In the project’s preliminary planning stages, we met with representatives of St George City and the Washington County Water Conservancy District to discuss sustainability and water conservation efforts. Those meetings helped shape Desert Color and resulted in our commitment to Localscapes and other water conservation practices.”
In addition to adopting Localscapes standards, the developers of Desert Color have installed a metered secondary water system for irrigation purposes. “Approximately half of residential water use in desert communities is used to irrigate landscapes,” said Zach Renstrom, general manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District. “Using a secondary water source for irrigation extends the local water supply while reducing costs to the end user.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Desert Color as a Localscapes partner,” said Bart Forsyth, general manager of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District – the creators of the Localscapes program that is now spearheaded by Utah’s four large water conservancy districts, including Washington County. “Their commitment to incorporate principles community wide sets a new precedent in water-smart development that we hope will spread throughout the state.”
Visit Localscapes.com for more information on the program.
MEDIA CONTACTS
- Rob Behunin, R&R Partners/Desert Color, 801.400.3649
- Ryan Coates, Desert Color, 480.695.4502
- David Cordero, City of St. George , 435.512.1511
- Karry Rathje, Washington County Water Conservancy District, 435.668.5622
- Linda Townes, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District 801.565.4300
About Desert Color
Clyde Companies
Clyde Companies, Inc. is a Utah-based construction organization that opened its doors in 1926. The Clyde companies – W.W. Clyde & Co., Geneva Rock Products, Sunroc Corporation, Sunroc Building Materials, Beehive Insurance, and Clyde Properties – have been involved in almost every aspect of building and construction in the Intermountain West for nearly a century, and are committed to their mission of Building a Better Community. For more information about Clyde Companies, visit www.clydeinc.com
Blue Diamond Capital
Blue Diamond Capital LLC is an investment management company that was founded in 2007 by Marc and Deborah Bingham and Michael Bingham. Blue Diamond Capital specializes in an array of high quality investments in industries including, land development, residential construction, multifamily housing, hospitality, and fuel and convenience stores. For more information about Blue Diamond Capital, visitwww.bluedicap.com
Merrill Trust Group
Merrill Trust Group is a privately held collection of companies based in Atlanta, GA., and is principally involved in real estate investing and development. It’s highly dedicated, educated, and experienced staff have over 45 years of experience in managing the acquisition, entitlement, and development of land and resorts. Merrill Trust Group has an extensive portfolio of fully entitled master-planned communities in metropolitan Phoenix and Atlanta, as well as a number of premier resorts in the southeastern United States.