Greenarama, the first home show of its kind may just become an annual event based upon the show’s success this year. All of the seven finished homes sold and thousands of people braved the weather over the past two weekends to learn about the latest in housing innovations with a unique blend of technology and style along with ways to keep the planet healthy.

There is one remaining home, the exhibit home, which was used to showcase the green elements “behind the walls” and to house the show’s sponsors. Construction resumed today on this home which is “for sale” and will be complete in about six weeks, according to builder Gary Osterfeld. In addition, there are 16 remaining lots for sale on the show’s street (Strafer Street), in the Columbia Tusculum neighborhood. Both the builders and the new home buyers are available upon request to discuss this unique community.

“Based upon the feedback we received at the show, we know the show succeeded in helping to dispel the myth that green means sacrificing style and quality or paying too much,” said Andrew Riffe, President of Greenarama 2011 and co-owner of Andrew James Builders. “The home costs for the LEED Certified homes we build are comparable in price to homes with the same level of finish but these homes are extremely cost efficient when it come to utilities. Add to that the tax abatement and these homes were all outstanding investments.”

“The City’s 15 year property tax break for LEED-certified homes is driving Cincinnati’s new housing construction market right now, and the Greenarama show was the poster child for the progressive Cincinnati tax policy creating green homes,” says Council Member Laure Quinlivan, Chair of the Mayor’s Green Steering Committee.

The LEED Certified homes in Greenarama are eligible for up to a 15 year, $500,000.00 tax abatement. Greenarama, presented by the City of Cincinnati, features homes built by the following local homebuilders, AndrewJames Builders, Black Diamond Construction, Carroll Custom Builders, Mann Daly Homes by Osterfeld Construction, Pinnacle Custom Building Group and Somerset Custom Homes. The homes are on the leading edge of a nationwide shift in what homebuyers find desirable. Greenarama is presented by the City of Cincinnati. Sponsors to date include Bounty ®, Pella ®, Duke Energy, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Cincinnati Magazine, PNC Bank, Sibcy Cline Realtors®, Bzak Landscaping, Forest Green, Greener Stock, GreenStreet Solutions, Nisbet Brower Fast Park & Relax, Hagedorn Appliances, McSwain Carpets & Floors, The Appliance Loft, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., Park National Bank, Priority 1, Falcon Heating and Air Conditioning, McCabe Lumber, and Mueller Distributors.

Proceeds from Greenarama benefited the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation, (“CSF”). At the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, a $5,000 check was presented to the non-profit organization. CSF administers college scholarships on behalf of local business, corporations, individuals and other area foundations. By reaching out to motivated and deserving students who have limited financial resources, CSF helps to provide the means to attend college and the opportunity to realize their dreams.