Pittsburgh Greenhouse

I want to make a construction/job-site sign for the project to post on the outside of 329 Hancock St. to provide contact info (for emergencies and PR reasons), as well as expound the talking points (Polish Hill’s soon-to-be first LEED For Homes certified building, sq footage, estimated completion date, budget?, and 2d/3d rendering of the project exterior as provided by Tai+Lee once we reach that point. Jen Martin (An awesome designer (please hire her!) ) has offered to design a image. I consulted with with her former employer, Graphics 22, a sign shop here in Pittsburgh (Hazelwood), PA.

[Backdate: 12/24/2011] I’ve posted a spreadsheet (Google Docs w/ public RO access) with my costs/expenses so far. Items I’ve directly purchased I’ve listed here. My intention here to make this project as transparent as possible, so I’m attempting to get explicit authorization to disclose as much pricing info as possible. The idea of sharing information on this project is to encourage others to take on projects and demonstrate how patience and creative problem solving can offset costs. You can browse at:

[Backdate 12/18/2011] Made a lot of progress with the Solar [Sub-]Project. A huge thanks to James (and Melisa!) Gazis, my downstairs neighbors, for hosting me in their “tech den” after it started to snow on Saturday. Without him, I’d be at a loss to understand the “Common Ground Bus” idea in the Outback Power manual. Also, I’d be in hospital with frostbite.

[Backdate to 12/15/2011] PV Solar Panel system parts are trickling in (via FedEx Ground of course, UPWho?!) .. At the crux of the project is the deal that I've worked out with a local solar solutions provider here in Pittsburgh:

“Underwood Solar Futures” of Pittsburgh, PA.   See:

  http://www.underwoodsolarfuture.com/

...over to PairNIC. Godaddy's executive leadership should probably DIE, but getting hit in the pocket book is much-more painful.

[Backdate 12/16/2011] Wow! Rich Werner and his crew (Werner Electric, electricians on the Lili Coffee Shop and multi-tenant building on Dobson Street) kick ass and take numbers. They got the temporal electrical service from Duquesne Light installed and setup VERY QUICKLY and now all that’s left is a visit from the electrical inspector at the City and then I’ll have temporary electrical service at the house for use by contractors (and/or the occasional poor soul lost in Polish Hill who needs to charge up their cell phone).

[Backdate 12/13/2011] I met with a Cathy Chung from Tai+Lee and their building/structural engineer this morning to evaluating the condition of the roof and general building structural integrity. Our goal was to evaluate feasibility of quickly installing a new roof structure sufficient to protect the building throughout the 2011-2012 winter to prevent building degradation. His preliminary synopsis was that EVERY PIECE OF WOOD in the structure is compromised and must be excavated before a new roof can safely installed.

[Backdate to 12/07/2011] I’ve begun a working relationship with Tai+Lee Architects of Polish Hill ( http://taipluslee.com/sustainable/sus-leed-consulting.html ) to develop a restoration plan for 329 Hancock St. They’ll be able to help me in a preliminary capacity to map the existing structure, obtain a structural analysis, develop draft design plans and renderings (based in some part my early 2008 layout), develop a project budget and time, begin the whole USGBC ‘LEED for Homes’ project process.

A small announcement:

After many years of patiently waiting (it was around this time in 2008 that I first identified the property as an opportunity), I have completed the process of acquiring the property at 329 Hancock St in Polish Hill!

The previous owner and I had been in negotiations throughout an intermediary for a few months and I wasn't privy to discuss this publicly until the legal process was complete, as to not compromise any chance I might have.

I sat through the the 'Fast Track' edition of the FHA-developed home ownership curriculum run by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (www.nfcc.org). Ray GarofaloBank was an excellent instructor. The curriculum steps you though the planning, acquisition, and post-purchase steps of becoming a homeowner.

The full paperwork trail is covered, including details on all of the cost structure. The program includes a very help and in-depth text on the topic which you can read here:

http://www.amazon.com/Homeownership-National-Foundation-Credit-Counseling/dp/0977788024