Neighborhood Notes' Ken Aaron has a good piece today on the EcoFlats apartment project on North Williams Avenue. The project, by developer Jean-Pierre Veillet, has received the funding necessary to begin construction on the project next month. While certain elements of the project - restaurant, common area, garden - remain in place, new features have been added, such as an elevator and six ADA-compliant living units.

What makes the EcoFlats so, um, eco? For starters, they'll be located on the Williams bike and bus corridor, encouraging people to use public transit or pedal power to get around. They'll also be a mere block from the Hub building that houses Ristretto Roasters, Lincoln and Anju restaurants, and numerous other locally owned businesses, encouraging residents to shop and eat close to home. Finally, there are plans for a portion of the building's power to come from solar energy. It's an oh-so-Portland development in the best possible way.

site plan graphic courtesy of Neighborhood Notes.