ANNANDALE, NJ—Developers of The Village Green at Annandale will cut the ribbon on the repurposed mixed-use complex on September 10, and Richard Meurer, owner of Meurer Development, the Annandale-based company that created the project, is looking forward to showcasing the two-acre solar farm that fully powers the complex.

“We are confident that we have built the premier ecovillage in the Garden State,” says Meurer, who is also founder of Green Power Energy, which developed the 322 kW solar farm.    

Located at 47 East Street in Historic Annandale, just off exit 18 on I-78 and steps away from the NJ Transit station, The Village Green offers luxury town homes, apartments, retail and office space, all of which use sustainable resources and construction methods.

All of the community's electric needs are supplied by the ballasted ground-mounted solar farm that Meurer constructed through Green Power Energy. The farm is directly adjacent to the village on the former Warren Lumber site.

“The original plan was for an adaptive reuse project that would involve renovating existing structures and outfitting them with solar components and energy efficient internal mechanicals,” says Meurer.

Meurer acquired the lumberyard and its outbuildings in 2010. Conceived as a “green transit village,” the innovative community will serve commuters who use the New Jersey Transit station, while incorporating residential development and green office space for corporate and retail tenants.

The old lumberyard's footprint was retained, some of its structures rehabbed, and Meurer recycled much of the wood; the original office building, which dates to 1852, is currently being renovated. NJ Transit, whose Raritan line connects Annandale to Newark and New York City, refurbished the adjacent train station after Meurer's project got the green light.

The Village Green's residences – one, two and three-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom town homes – are 52% occupied, attracting the attention of young professionals and families seeking a green lifestyle without sacrificing luxury and convenience. Retail and office space is available for lease on the ground floor of the multi-family buildings.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Village Green at Annandale, which will be open to the public, will take place on Wednesday, September 10 from 5 to 7 p.m., and includes a random drawing for a residential solar package.