New smoke-free apartment in Saint Paul

The Pointe at River Crossing in Saint Paul is a brand new smoke-free apartment building opening this month. The smoke-free policy covers the entire building, including all rental units. Brenda Hvambsal, director of marketing for Steven Scott Management, says the company chose to put the smoke-free policy into effect as a way to prevent secondhand smoke exposure in the building. “The health and well being of residents is our top priority. A smoke-free building is safer and contributes to a better living environment,” she said.

“We want The Pointe to be a home all residents will enjoy,” said Hvambsal. “In addition to being smoke-free, The Pointe at River Crossing offers other great amenities for renters.” The property is located in Saint Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood and completes the Gateway re-development. Community amenities include a media room, game room, swimming pool, hot tub, WI FI clubhouse, business center, fitness center and underground parking. Each apartment features granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, washer and dryer, oversized tubs and unique floor plans.

The Pointe has also made a commitment to green initiatives and sustainable living. Approximately 60 percent of all construction and demolition waste was diverted from the waste stream through recycling and reuse. There is individual electrical and gas metering for every unit, so each resident is aware of personal energy consumption which may help to reduce energy use.

Apartment tenants also like the idea of The Pointe’s smoke-free policy. Alison Guthrie, property manager of The Pointe at River Crossing, commented “Not only are we thrilled with the idea of moving into a brand new property but being that the building is smoke-free, it will make our New Years resolution to commit to a healthy lifestyle even more attainable.”

Tenants throughout the metro area are looking for smoke-free housing. “The Pointe at River Crossing is doing a wonderful thing for their residents by offering a completely smoke-free living environment,” said Carissa Duke, community outreach coordinator for Live Smoke Free—a program that promotes smoke-free apartment living in the Twin Cities.

The Pointe is the third smoke-free apartment building for Steven Scott Management. Bierman Place is located in Minneapolis near the University of Minnesota and offers a completely smoke-free building for university students. Creekside Apartments in Plymouth is partially smoke-free and is in the process of adopting a smoke-free policy for the entire building. In 2009, two other communities will be working to become partially smoke-free.

For more information on The Pointe at River Crossing, call 651-699-8600 or visit www.rivercrossingapts.com/thepointe.html.