Green building is great. If you're rich and have tens of thousands of extra dollars to spend on a house, right? Maybe, but a new development in Harlem, NYC may help change that. David & Joyce Dinkins Gardens is a newly opening eco-friendly housing facility intended solely for low-income residents (Gmap it). Supporters of Dinkins Gardens also aim to prove that planet light doesn't have to mean wallet heavy. The total cost of the project was just $19.5 million.

"Dinkins Gardens is the new model for affordable housing," said Jonathan Rose, co-developer on the project. "Green projects like these are tremendous investments in the future of the community. By integrating social services, job training, affordable housing and green design, we're modeling what the future of Harlem and New York City -- in fact, cities nationwide -- can be."

Notable sustainable features of the 85 apartment building include:

• Efficient and recycled building materials
• Solar shades to fend off summer heat (and AC bills)
• Individually-ventilated apartments to improve indoor air quality
• Energy Star appliances and light fixtures
• Rainwater harvesting for irrigation and to decrease storm water runoff

Home Depot even provided a grant to help put in a green roof. Man, those guys are doing so much good lately, I'm starting to wonder if they feel guilty about something.

The residences were co-developed by Jonathan Rose Companies, a green urban planning and development firm and Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI), a faith-based community group. To top it off, the complex will have apartments reserved for post-foster care system youth, integrate a 25,000 sq ft youth center and has plan for classroom space that HCCI will use to run a job training and placement program. I get the distinct impression I should be doing something more productive right now.