Proposed EcoVillage hosts informational session in McCandless

Those interested in learning more about the Rachel Carson EcoVillage at Providence Heights in McCandless can attend an onsite informational session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4.

The event will be held at the Kearns Conference Center, 9600 Babcock Blvd., at the Sisters of Divine Providence campus, according to a press release from project manager Stefani Danes. A focus is on co-housing communities, collaborative housing developments that combine extensive common facilities with private homes.

Rachel Carson EcoVillage, a multigenerational co-housing community, joins similar communities across the country to celebrate National Cohousing Open House Days on May 4-5, according to CohoUS, the Cohousing Association of the United States..

The May 4 informational session will feature a slide presentation, question-and-answer period and opportunity to meet members of the Rachel Carson EcoVillage community, off Cumberland Road.

Light refreshments will be served. The event will conclude with a tour of the land.

RSVP is requested at rceintro@gmail.com.

“We’ve had a number of local inquiries. It’s why we think it’s a good time for an in-person event. We’ll have plenty of time for questions and answers about co-housing and the EcoVillage. It’s also a chance to see our beautiful parklike site,” Danes said.

The EcoVillage is committed to living sustainably. The community is in the process of obtaining necessary permits to build on land currently owned by the Sisters of Divine Providence.

It will be a homeownership community of 35 private units ranging in size from studios to four bedrooms. The entire development is being built to high standards of energy conservation, durability and air quality. It is anticipated that construction will begin in late summer for completion in spring 2025.

Eight of the 35 units are left.

“The interest has been picking up, and we think we’re likely to sell out in the next few months. Our prospective homeowners are excited about moving in by next spring,”Danes said.

The Sisters of Divine Providence, which neighbors La Roche University and houses the Providence Heights Alpha School, is gifting 8 acres along Cumberland Road for the new community, according to Danes.

The Rachel Carson EcoVillage at Providence Heights is the only one of its kind in Western Pennsylvania, she said, and is named after environmentalist and Springdale native Rachel Carson.

The village had committed more than 25 of 35 homes to future owners as of March, according to Danes. The homes are pre-sold.

Co-housing generally has design features and neighborhood size, typically 20 to 40 homes, that promote frequent interactions and close relationships. Common property is managed and maintained by community members, providing more opportunities for growing relationships. For more information on co-housing, visit www.cohousing.org.

Regarding the Rachel Carson EcoVillage, virtual informational sessions are scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 7 and 21, and from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 27 and May 25. Register for these by texting 412-573-1927 or emailing RCEIntro@gmail.com.