Five years ago, we began a project at Fourth and D streets in downtown Davis to provide an owner-occupied, senior-friendly home for four couples in an energy- and resource-efficient building. We chose this spot because of its place in the vibrant Davis downtown and its excellent solar exposure.

We are excited now that all couples are settled in four flats, and we are beginning our residence in what we call Parkview Place, thoroughly enjoying this wonderful location and each other. We also have a compatible, enjoyable tenant in our rental unit on the first floor.

While it would take enormous space to thank everyone by name involved in our project through the years, we must say first that Mike Corbett, as our builder/designer/contractor, was an invaluable partner and co-visionary in the creation of this building. The subcontractors he chose and skillfully coordinated deserve the highest praise for their skills, positive attitudes, flexibility, tenacity and careful attention to detail.

We remain grateful for the support of the City Council, the Development and Sustainability Department staff and many other city staff. We were fortunate to have the enthusiastic support of scores of Davis citizens and community leaders.

From the beginning of our project, we’ve valued and made a concerted effort to honor the rich history of the Peña family in which 337 D St. played a part. We are now excited to have supported the creation of a beautiful tile and mosaic mural about the Peña family by local artist Mark Rivera. This mural, with its encrypted audiovisual chip, will continue to remind visitors about the contributions of the family to the region and the Davis community. We’ve undertaken these efforts with great respect for the family who long ago helped build our beloved city.

With the help of Corbett, Rivera and so many others in our supportive community, we believe we have created another historic building. We expect to be awarded the first residential LEED platinum building in the city of Davis, and be a community asset setting a standard for energy and resource efficiency, community interest developments, easy access to community resources and public transportation, and senior living options.

We are pleased to be engaged and contributing residents in our new downtown residences!

Dick and Carol Bourne, David Hosley and gayle yamada, Don Morrill and Sue Barton, Jerry and Kay Schimke

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