Walters Group Makes Community, Environment Top Priorities

Walters Group
500 Barnegat Boulevard North, Building 100
Barnegat, New Jersey 08005

Media Contact: Evelyn Weiss Francisco: [email protected], (201) 796-7788

WALTERS GROUP MAKES COMMUNITY, ENVIRONMENT TOP PRIORITIES
Stafford Township Environmental Commission Recognized Walters with Award

BARNEGAT, N.J., June 8, 2010 – Making a commitment to build a large-scale project on a site requiring environmental remediation is no easy task in New Jersey, particularly in a slow market. But the Walters Group made good on that promise to Stafford Township. The developer cleaned up two uncapped landfills, which were contaminating groundwater, then built a sustainable mixed-use project that serves as a model for other eco-friendly redevelopments.

Three years after the groundbreaking, Stafford Park reveals no trace of its tainted past. The multi-million dollar rehab was both challenging and inspiring for the Walters Group. “Our efforts have improved the water quality, the air quality, and directly addressed the impacts of climate change,” said Ed Walters, president and founder of the Walters Group. In addition to the successful landfill clean-up, the project involved the integration of streetscapes, tree plantings, bio-retention basins, and the relocation of all threatened and endangered species within the business park to protected habitats.

The Stafford Township Environmental Commission recognized the Walters Group’s environmental efforts with the 2009 Community Steward Award. Every year, the award is presented to a local individual, group, or organization that has made an exemplary commitment to the environment of Stafford Township, according to Councilman John R. Spodofora.

“The landfills were a ticking time bomb,” explained Spodofora, who chairs the Environmental Commission. “One hundred percent of our drinking water in this area is totally dependent on the groundwater.” He added that, “Walters went above and beyond with Stafford Park. They worked closely with us throughout the entire process.” The eco-friendly construction process was a learning experience for the town, which has since incorporated LEED standards into its current building codes

Taking a greener approach to development, said Walters, is “the right thing to do.” Walters spearheaded the firm’s push toward green development by implementing “LEED” (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) standards in the construction of Stafford Business Park. The project’s retail component is registered with a certification goal of LEED® Silver. The affordable housing component, Stafford Park Apartments represents the first LEED-Gold certified affordable residential project in the state. In addition, the project’s LEED certification was enhanced with the use of alternative clean solar power. Currently, the development has three separate solar systems equaling over 1 MW (mega-watt).

“The Walters Group has demonstrated a willingness to protect our air quality, groundwater, lakes, bay, and the overall quality of life for our residents,” explained Spodofora. “Their innovative design, planning and construction practices are a shining example for others to follow.”

Walters supports community volunteer work
Walters employees have also proven their commitment to their community by giving back through various philanthropic efforts. In fact, they’ve chalked up a long list of good deeds that have benefited the Musser Blood Center in Philadelphia; a local Habitat for Humanity project; the American Cancer Society; the American Red Cross Relief Fund; the Salvation Army; the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties; and Toys for Tots.

“We’ve always fostered a collegial environment for our employees,” said Walters. “We believe that such an atmosphere translates into both good business and good citizenship. We take our responsibilities to the communities we serve very seriously.”

Over the years, the firm has actively supported local organizations such as the Barnegat Girls Softball League, and to the Barnegat Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. The Southern Regional High School has also been a beneficiary of the company’s largesse. Walters Group has worked in conjunction with the school to present annual college scholarships to deserving seniors. Ed Walters serves on the Southern Regional Educational Foundation, helping to raise funds to boost revenue for the school district.

Not surprisingly, when Ed Walters heard about a community crusade to help renovate the home of a local disabled teen he quickly got involved. The project dubbed “Access for Joey” helped renovate a family’s small house in the Village Harbor-Coves section into a handicap accessible home. Walters assembled a team of employees to organize the project, resulting in an extreme home makeover for the Annarumma family.

“It’s part of our corporate culture,” Walters said. “We recognize important elements in communities like Stafford, and we stand committed to those municipalities and residents.”


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