News
GREEN SCENE: Staying Affordable
April 15, 2010
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| Three decades ago, the Rev. Dr. Fletcher C. Crawford had a vision for affordable housing on land next to the Union Grove Baptist Church in the Bronx, where he was pastor. His vision is coming true: Developer Union Grove Associates, a JV between the church and Macquesten Development, broke ground on the $27M, 84-unit rental building on Hoe Avenue and E. 172nd St. a few weeks ago. Not only is it going to be a haven for low-income families and people with special needs, but building it green will further help bring costs down for tenants, says Macquesten president Rella Fogliano, above with Rev. Crawford and Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. at the groundbreaking. |
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| Green components will include a co-generation plant, permeable sidewalks, submetering, installation of PTAC heating/cooling units, motion sensors for lighting, Energy Star windows and appliances, and a high-albedo roof system. The project, which will surpass the Division of Housing & Community Renewal Green Building Criteria, even has potential for LEED certification. Building green won't put a premium on the building, she says—one of Macquesten's past affordable housing projects in Yonkers had a co-gen plant and the 10% savings were passed on to tenants. Since construction started,150 people have already stopped by to ask for applications, as it's an area where very few people can afford to own their home. |
