The Retreat at Harbor Pointe Apartments, a riverfront affordable housing community developed and managed by Lawson, has been awarded the distinguished Model Level recognition in the Elizabeth River Project’s River Star Business program. This honor celebrates the community’s achievements in environmental stewardship.

The Retreat at Harbor Pointe was first accepted to the River Star Business Program at Achievement Level in 2020. The Model Level distinction is the highest recognition in the River Star Business program, reflecting Lawson and The Retreat at Harbor Pointe's dedication to protecting and revitalizing the Elizabeth River, a vital natural resource in the region. The community's ongoing efforts include participation in the Elizabeth River Project’s oyster gardening program, which supports the restoration of local oyster populations and promotes water quality improvement.

“Our core purpose at Lawson is to positively impact people.”, said Carl Hardee, President and CEO at Lawson. “That can mean a lot of different things, including participation in programs like River Star Business. We’re thrilled to be a part of it and to help improve the health of the river and our ecosystem.”

The Elizabeth River Project’s River Restoration Advisory Committee, comprising River Star peers and technical experts, unanimously approved The Retreat at Harbor Pointe for advancement to Model Level status. The committee noted the community’s significant contributions to reducing pollution and enhancing local wildlife habitats.