Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Definition: Architecture and Architects

ARCHITECTURE

“The practice of the profession of architecture is defined as rendering or offering to render services which require the application of the art, science, and aesthetics of design and construction of buildings, groups of buildings, including their components and appurtenances and the spaces around them wherein the safeguarding of life, health, property, and public welfare is concerned. Such services include, but are not limited to consultation, evaluation, planning, the provision of preliminary studies, designs, construction documents, construction management, and the administration of construction contracts.”

NYS Education Law, Article 147, Architecture § 7301

Practice of architecture and use of title "architect".

Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized to practice under this article shall practice architecture or use the title "architect".

NYS Education Law, Article 147, Architecture § 7302

http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eop%2Enysed%2Egov%2Farticle147%2Ehtm%23pract&urlhash=5OYM&_t=disc_detail_link

Saturday, May 23, 2009

The Peekskill Arts Council is now on LinkedIn.com

The Peekskill Arts Council nonprofit organization founded in 1995 after the successful creation of an artist district project which brought professional artists to live and work in the downtown area of Peekskill, New York.

The Peekskill Arts Council's mission is to educate the general public about the arts and serve as community resource for the artists and arts community, and to pursue the initiation of arts related projects. The resource of professional artists in the City of Peekskill encouraged and nurtured many new exciting community arts and cultural projects.

That mission is fulfilled by developing artistic events and installations, establishing public gallery space, strengthening arts in education in the local schools, promoting and disseminating information on the arts and supporting the needs of artist in the community.

The Peekskill Arts Council not only showcases artists, but involves the entire community with many innovative programs. Hundreds of community children have benefited from PAC sponsored events, including the annual Creative Arts Summer Camps run in cooperation with the Peekskill Parks & Recreation Department, in school, after school and vacation arts workshops and the Children's Arts Festival.

Over the past 10 years, thousands of people have participated in the annual Peekskill Open Studio events. The PAC works with the Peekskill Business Improvement District, the City of Peekskill, the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, and the Paramount Center for the Arts to serve all members of the community.

http://peekskillartscouncil.org/

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1971771&trk=anet_ug_hm

Friday, May 22, 2009

HUD Energy Retrofits Grants for Multifamily Housing


SECRETARY DONOVAN ANNOUNCES APPROXIMATELY $250 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDING TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND GREEN RETROFITS IN MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING

Press Release from HUD Headquarters for your information. HUD NEWS U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Shaun Donovan, Secretary Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20410

HUD No. 09-061 FOR RELEASE Brian Sullivan Thursday (202) 708-0685 May 14, 2009 http://www.hud.gov/news/index.cfm

SECRETARY DONOVAN ANNOUNCES APPROXIMATELY $250 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDING TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND GREEN RETROFITS IN MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING

Grants and loans intended to create 'green collar jobs' and reduce energy costs

WASHINGTON - Approximately 25,000 apartment units will become more energy efficient as the result of approximately $250 million in grants and loans being offered today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The funding, being made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), which was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, is designed to create thousands of 'green collar jobs' as workers retrofit older federally assisted multi-family apartment developments with the next generation of energy efficient technologies.

HUD's new Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing ,will offer up to $15,000 per residential unit to reduce energy costs, cut water consumption, and improve indoor air quality.

Eligible applicants must already be HUD assisted, either through Section 8 project-based rental assistance or the Department's Section 202 (elderly) and Section 811 (disabled) programs. Applications for funds are being accepted beginning June 15, 2009.

"The funding that we make available today will not only improve our housing stock, but will lower energy costs and create green jobs in the process,"

said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

"This Administration is working overtime to ensure that Recovery Act funding will not only jump start America's economy, but will also put us on a path toward energy independence while improving living conditions for tens of thousands of lower income families."

Grants and loans provided through this program will help private landlords and property management companies to cut heating and air conditioning costs by installing more efficient heating and cooling systems and to reduce water use by replacing faucets and toilets.

These Recovery Act funds will also produce other environmental benefits by encouraging the use of recycled building materials, reflective roofing, and low-VOC products to reduce potentially harmful 'out gassing.'

Initially, applicants will be assessed based on their financial health prior to more thorough underwriting and an physical evaluation of the property itself.

The Recovery Act includes $13.61 billion for projects and programs administered by HUD, nearly 75% of which was allocated to state and local recipients only eight days after President Obama signed the Act into law.

The remaining 25% of funds will be awarded through a competitive grant process in the coming months.

HUD is committed to implementing Recovery Act investments swiftly and effectively as they generate tens of thousands of jobs, modernize homes to make them energy efficient, and help the families and communities hardest hit by the economic crisis.

In addition, Secretary Donovan and the Department are committed to providing the highest level of transparency possible as Recovery Act funds are administered. It is vitally important that the American people are fully aware of how their tax dollars are being spent and can hold their federal leaders accountable.

Every dollar of Recovery Act funds HUD spends can be reviewed and tracked at HUD's Recovery Act website< http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehud%2Egov%2Frecovery&urlhash=am2l&_t=disc_detail_link >.

The full text of HUD's funding notices and tracking of future performance of these grants is also available at HUD's Recovery Act website< http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehud%2Egov%2Frecovery&urlhash=am2l&_t=disc_detail_link >.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson Chapter is now on LinkedIn

Thomas M. Leigh, AIA LEED AP has been added as a Manager of the LinkedIn group, AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson.

Chartered by the American Institute of Architects on October 22, 1936, AIA Westchester / Mid-Hudson represents over 600 local members.

The chapter works to achieve a more humane built environment and a higher standard of professionalism for architects throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

Chapter website: http://www.aiaarchitect.net/site/index.php

Lets connect!: http://LinkedIn/in/TMLeigh

Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Seminar

City of Peekskill Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Seminar

Westchester Community College- Peekskill Extension 27 N. Division Street Tuesday, May 19, 2009 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

RSVP Required! Registration to next week’s Federal Historic Tax Incentive Seminar.

The doors of Westchester Community College will open at 8:30 a.m. for registration, a light continental breakfast, and networking. The program will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and should conclude no later than 11:30 a.m.

There are several downtown public parking lots available within walking distance of the classrooms. These lots are all metered, so please bring appropriate change for the meter. You should be aware that North Division Street and Main Street are presently undergoing a significant renovation. So there is very limited street parking on North Division and Main Street. The best opportunity for parking will be in the James Street or Nelson Avenue garages.

CONTACT: Christopher Marra Economic Development Specialist City of Peekskill 840 Main Street Peekskill, NY 10566 (T) 914-293-0916 (F) 914-737-2688 www.cityofpeekskill.com www.artalongthehudson.com

ART ALONG THE HUDSON

ART ALONG THE HUDSON KICKS OFF 6TH YEAR

RECEPTION HOSTED BY Cunneen-Hackett in Poughkeepsie, NYMay 28, 2009 6 – 8pm

Art Along the Hudson – 7 Cities, 7 Celebrations kicks off the 2009 summer season with a reception at Cunneen-Hackett, 9 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 6:00 to 8:00 pm. In its sixth year, Art Along the Hudson continues to celebrate the arts in Kingston, Beacon, Catskill, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh plus new venues of New Paltz and Peekskill. As part of the Hudson Quadcentennial, we are celebrating 400 years of art in these seven cities with a growing new and contemporary art scene.

The reception includes light refreshments, live music and new this year, an art show by the artists from the seven cities. A program about the seven cities is scheduled for 6:45 pm. The event provides an opportunity to meet the artists and creators of this regional initiative, along with city officials actively working to revitalize their cities through the arts.

Art Along the Hudson celebrations are anchored by rotating Saturdays that spotlight each of the cities.

Kingston celebrates First Saturdays;
Beacon has Second Saturdays;
Catskill and New Paltz celebrate Third Saturdays; and
Newburgh highlights Last Saturdays, plus
Poughkeepsie and Peekskill have various art celebrations.

Although activities happen year-round in all of the participating communities, a focus of one Saturday each month helps to strengthen and build awareness of each city’s arts initiatives.

Programs feature a variety of art forms - from gallery and museum exhibits to music, dance, theatre and poetry. Special events range from sculpture exhibits, street fairs and parades, to art and history tours.

Please rsvp to info@artalongthehudson.com by May 22nd if you would like to attend the event on May 28th.For more information on this regional initiative, please visit http://www.artalongthehudson.com/

An eye-catching, four-color brochure lists the participating venues in each city, and will be available at the reception. It will be widely distributed to tourism sites throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond.

The History of Roofing

It's been 50 years since James McCawley published the second edition of Roofing – Estimating-Applying-Repairing (Shelter Publications, 1959). This was a major work, solidifying our understanding of roofing systems, and it contained chapters on membrane roofing, steep roofing, and metal roofing.....

In terms of shaping the roofing industry and giving insight as to where we are today, McCawley may not be a household name. But, in his time, he made important contributions to the roofing industry, including this text.....

As McCauley describes in the foreword to his 1959 text, this was to be "a practical handbook describing the mechanics of shelter and the application of roof coverings of asbestos, asphalt, coal tar, metal, slate, tile, and thatch, prepared for the roofing and sheet metal trades, and as a guide for the architect and builder."....

http://www.buildings.com/News/IndustryNews/NewsletterDetails/tabid/3399/ArticleID/8387/Default.aspx?utm_source=MagnetMail&utm_medium=eNewsletters&utm_term=tmleigh@e-leigh.com&utm_content=Roofing%20news%20-%2005.13.09&utm_campaign=Roofing%20History%20and%20Knowledge

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Peekskill Arts Council's Exhibition "OFF THE BEATEN TRACK"

The Gallery at Westchester Community College

For artists whose studios are beyond the "Artist District" or who cannot open for Open Studios

CALENDAR (This show will be open during Open Studios weekend)
EXHIBITION DATES: June 6 - July 31.
ARTISTS' RECEPTION: Thursday, June 11, 5:30-7:30 pm.
DROP OFF: Mon-Fri, Week of May 25-29. Fri closes at noon.
CONTACT: Lisa Prown at WCC. 914-606-7304

Artist Submission: 1 piece of actual work.
At: Westchester Community College, 27 North Division Street, 914-606-7304

Suggested size: Aprox. 22x30" or smaller for wall hung pieces.
If you wish to show a larger piece, please also bring a smaller one in case the larger one doesn't fit.

All works must be ready for display: (ie 2-D properly wired and/or framed, 3-D with base if needed, video must come with appropriate equipment and directions.)

Developers seek Government-backed loans for buyers

Owners rush to sign on with Federal Housing Authority-backed mortgage program, considered by some to be the best deal in town because it offers 96.5% financing.

New York City developers are seeking to help buyers qualify for federal government-backed loans that allow them to put down less cash, just 3.5%, on a unit. Buildings across the city are applying with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval in the Federal Housing Authority mortgage-backed program.

When buildings are FHA-approved, qualified buyers have access to financing of up to 96.5%—something unheard of in these credit markets. Even Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have tightened their lending standards. FHA-insured loans provide certain lender protections during defaults.....

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20090512/FREE/905129969

Monday, May 11, 2009

Get Your Home Published in the New York Times!

Greetings Preservationists,

PreservationDirectory.com is pleased to be working with Sarah Maslin Nir, reporter for The New York Times, to spread the word about an upcoming article she is writing for The New York Times. She is seeking input for a soon-to-be-published article (note - urgent deadline of Thursday, May 14, 2009), and we are happy to assist.

Below is an overview of the article - please contact Sarah Maslin Nir directly at sarah.maslin.nir@gmail.com to participate or to receive additional information about the article.

"I am looking for homeowners who love their historic or stunning house, even though it is in a neighborhood that you wouldn't usually find this type of home in. Perhaps the neighborhood has changed from what it was like when the house was built, and now it doesn't really fit it.

The house might be next to something unusual like an airport or power plant. Or they are in a neighborhood that was once residential and is now a mall or an urban center etc.

Two caveats: 1) the neighborhood should not be "up and coming", rather a place that is going to stay as it is, but the home buyers love the house anyway. 2) The house is NOT for sale. These can be recently moved-in residents or long time owners, but no one who is selling the house currently.

I'm looking for people who love their home where others might not give the same house a second glance. Thanks so much I look forward to your e-mails."

Please contact Sarah Maslin Nir, Reporter, The New York Times at sarah.maslin.nir@gmail.com.

Note - deadline of Thursday, May 14, 2009.

About PreservationDirectory.com:PreservationDirectory.com is a primary online resource for historic preservation, building restoration and cultural resource management in the United States & Canada.

Our goal is to foster the preservation of historic buildings, historic downtowns and neighborhoods, cultural resources and to promote heritage tourism by facilitating communication among historic preservation professionals and the general public.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, PreservationDirectory.com has continually expanded and evolved to cover a comprehensive array of topics and resources of most interest to the historic and cultural resource community.

Tim Cannan, PresidentPreservationDirectory.com7017 N. Alma AvePortland, OR 97203503-223-4939info@preservationdirectory.comhttp://www.PreservationDirectory.com

Friday, May 8, 2009

Power of RE* Concepts

Being an Architect, I have a natural inclination to be creative and to use my talents and intuition to make something useful.

Intially the "Power of RE*" was conceptualized as the goals of a corporation I was considering starting which was based on the premises and dictionary descriptions of:


RE* abbr. Real estate.


Re•al estate: n. Land, including all the natural resources and permanent buildings on it.


De•vel•op: Verb To elaborate by the working out of rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme. To work out the possibilities of, To make active, or promote the growth of. To make available or usable. To make suitable for commercial or residential purposes. To move from the original position to one providing more opportunity for effective use. To expand by a process of growth. To cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind. To acquire gradually. To go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive changes.


De•vel•op•er n. One that develops. A person who develops real estate, especially by preparing a site for residential or commercial use.

Unfortuanately, the corporate name was taken by another entity; however the concepts still exist and can be expanded on.


Thursday, May 7, 2009

Sustainable Highway Art

Allegheny College students helped create a striking example of the role art plays in Meadville, Pennsylvania. It truly is striking, because as you enter the city on U.S. 6/322 you see hundreds of feet of recycled road signs lining the side of the highway. You wouldn't know the art was recycled highway road signs unless you got out of your car and took a closer look.

http://www.circletheusa.com/2009/04/gateway-art.html

Benefits, Risks and Liabilities of Green Roofs

A must read short and informative piece by leading green building and sustainable development attorney Geoff White of Frost, Brown Todd LLC. Go to http://www.consilienceblog.org .

There are two basic types of green roofs, (i) an extensive roof, which has a few inches of soil cover and (ii) an intensive roof that has two feet or more of soil for a variety of grass, trees, bushes and shrubs. Green roofs are used in a multitude of buildings, including industrial facilities, commercial offices, retail properties and residences. The benefits of a green roof include reduced storm-water runoff, absorption of air pollution, reduced heat island effect, protection of underlying roof material from sunlight, reduced noise, and insulation from extreme temperatures. A green roof can thus be a critical design element for a green building.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Outside-the-box Tip for LinkedIn Power Users

When I look at various LinkedIn personal profiles, I can tell who the avid users are, and who are fill-in-the-blank types. Here is a tip for improving your personal profile for you detail-oriented people.

Under your Profile [Edit] page, you will see a blue link called Websites. In most profiles, and you know who you are, have one, two, or three bullet points, which read “My Website”.

You filled out the blank and inserted your URL that links to your website.

That’s it your done. Do not continue reading.

However, are you done?

What is the name of you website or company or portfolio, etc.?

Why should I click on your “My Website” link that could drive traffic to your website and generate more business for you?

The Answer

There is a way that you can insert the name of your website in this location, and it is simple to do. Click on the blue Websites link, another page will come up called Additional Information. This is the same page where you originally inserted your URL address.

Click on the pull down menu where it says “My Website”. It gives you a choice of 5 items and “Other”.

Choose “Other”:

Two new text fill boxes will open up instead of the text box that says insert URL address for “My Website”.

Now Insert:

Now insert the name of your company, your website, the name of your resume, the name of your favorite pet, etc. where it says Website Title.

Then in the box below it, you insert your URL address links just as you did when you originally filled out the form.

The Result:

You have just answered the two questions!

What is the name of my website, organization, etc. that you want me to click on and the URL address for that site.

You now own a link that sets you apart from everyone else that has not identified “My Website” or answered the two questions that could drive business to your website.

Send me comments or invitations if this works for you.

Friday, May 1, 2009

LEED for Neighborhood Development - Public Comments Wanted

The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development's location and design meet accepted high levels of environmentally responsible, sustainable development. LEED for Neighborhood Development is a collaboration among USGBC, the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The pilot program, which began in the summer of 2007 and tested nearly 240 projects, is wrapping up. The pilot experience and further discussion about the rating system led to the creation of a 1st Public Comment Period Draft.

The period to comment on this draft ran from November 17, 2008 through January 5, 2009. Over 5,000 comments were received.

A second public comment period opened on May 1, 2009 and will close on June 14th at 11:59 Pacific Time. Submit comments today. The post-pilot version of the rating system, which will be available to the public, is expected to launch in late summer.

Benefits of Developing a LEED for Neighborhood Development Community

Encourage healthy living LEED for Neighborhood Development emphasizes the creation of compact, walkable, vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods with good connections to nearby communities. Research has shown that living in a mixed-use environment within walking distance of shops and services results in increased walking and biking, which improve human cardiovascular and respiratory health and reduce the risk of hypertension and obesity.

Reduce urban sprawl

In order to reduce the impacts of urban sprawl, or unplanned, uncontrolled spreading of urban development into areas outside of the metropolitan region, and create more livable communities, LEED for Neighborhood Development communities are: locations that are closer to existing town and city centers. areas with good transit access. infill sites. previously developed sites. sites adjacent to existing development.

Typical sprawl development, low-density housing and commercial uses located in automobile-dependent areas, can harm the natural environment in a number of ways. It can consume and fragment farmland, forests and wildlife habitat; degrade water quality through destruction of wetlands and increased stormwater runoff; and pollute the air with increased automobile travel.

Protect threatened species

Fragmentation and loss of habitat are major threats to many imperiled species. LEED encourages compact development patterns and the selection of sites that are within or adjacent to existing development to minimize habitat fragmentation and also help preserve areas for recreation.

Increase transportation choice and decrease automobile dependence.

These two things go hand-in-hand; convenient transportation choices such as buses, trains, car pools, bicycle lanes and sidewalks, for example, are typically more available near downtowns, neighborhood centers and town centers, which are also the locations that produce shorter automobile trips.

Benefits to Project Developers of LEED for Neighborhood Development Communities

Potentially reduced fees or waiting periods Increasingly, municipalities are reducing fees or review periods associated with the approval process for community projects that can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Successfully completing the first stage of LEED for Neighborhood Development certification (pre-review approval) may assist projects that are still in the planning stages to gain the necessary approvals as expediently and cost-effectively as possible.

A good impression on your neighbors

A LEED for Neighborhood Development certification can help projects explain the environmental and community benefits of a project to residents and businesses in nearby areas. The rating system also encourages projects to work collaboratively with the existing neighborhood to make sure their needs are taken into account.

Higher tenancy rates

Rising demand for housing and commercial space in highly walkable or transit-accessible areas can result in higher tenancy rates.

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=148

Hudson Valley Wind Power Initiative launched

Written by Administrator Friday, 01 May 2009 09:33

The Hudson Valley Center for Innovation Wednesday announced a region-wide effort to create a wind power initiative to concentrate on research, testing and certification.“The Hudson Valley is suited to become the global epicenter of distributed wind energy development,” said Donald Perry, a green strategist and consultant to the project.

The Wind Power Initiative plans to conduct wind turbine training, testing and analysis at selected community colleges in the Hudson Valley, including Sullivan, Orange and Ulster, along with its primary academic partner, the Polytechnic Institute of NYU.

Perry said the wind power system being constructed now at Sullivan County Community College was as the result of his efforts to bring the players together.

By the end of the year, a commercial wind power facility will be constructed and online in Westchester County, he said, with others to follow.

Placing turbines at colleges will provide students with “real world experience working with real wind energy systems and help them become expert in their design, installation, testing and maintenance, as well as helping the push the technology envelope further and create new wind turbine generators of even greater power production, efficiency and cost competitiveness,” said Les Neumann, managing director of HVCFI.

The project will also provide “an excellent introduction to the potential of the Hudson Valley as a location which is in close proximity to the largest concentration of end-users – New York City and the Northeast corridor,” he said.

http://www.greenhudsonvalley.com/environment/renewable-energy/196-wind-power.html

Creating Business Incubators

















During one the Peekskill Charette Sessions, the subject of creating business incubators came up.
The following article link by Martin Zwilling is a good read on this topic.


Business incubators were all the rage back in the days of the dot-com bubble (700 for profit, many more non-profit). Then they turned into cash incinerators about the time the bubble burst, and more than 80% of them disappeared. Now they are coming back, but I find that most startup founders don’t even know what they are.By way of a definition, a business or startup incubator is a company, university, or other organization which provides resources to nurture young companies, helping them to survive and grow during the startup period when they are most vulnerable. The goal of all business incubators is to produce healthy firms that create jobs and wealth, strengthen the economy, commercialize new technologies and revitalize communities.....

http://blog.startupprofessionals.com/2009/04/startup-with-business-incubator.html#links