PATH - A Public Private Partnership for Advancing Housing Technology
Project Chronology
Demonstration Site: Folsom/Dore Apartments - San Francisco, CA
February 2003 - PATH made preliminary recommendations to Citizens Housing's project manager and architects. Recommended PATH technologies included: high-efficiency refrigerators; universal design kitchens and bathrooms; deconstruction; construction waste management; CFL's; structure wiring systems; insulated headers; fly ash concrete; linoleum; recycled content carpet; low-or no-voc paints; low-flow plumbing fixtures; drainwater heat recovery; latex foam sealant; and no formaldehyde fiberglass insulation.
March 2003 - PATH reviewed the projects specifications and 90% construction documents; concluded a 33 year payback period for a photovoltaic system utilized by the community spaces.
April 2003 - Project received approval for level II status. Demolition work was started.
May 2003 - PATH calculated a preliminary Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System score for apartments. Based on available information, the project could earn 7 definite points, with the possibility of up to 40 additional points.
June 2003 - PATH revised preliminary LEED ® score; project could easily earn 22 points, with the possibility of up to 11 additional points.
July 2003 - PATH planned to continue discussions with Citizens Housing's staff and design team to facilitate their decision-making process on the recommended PATH technologies. In addition, PATH planned to coordinate with Citizens Housing's public relations department to develop a marketing plan for the project.
August 2003 - Construction began at the end of August, with the completion date set for December 2004. A groundbreaking ceremony was expected sometime in late August or early September. PATH prepared marketing materials for the groundbreaking ceremony.
September 2003 - Initial site work continued. The groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled for October 9th. Deva Dawson, Project Manager for the Folsom/Dore Apartments project, developed a draft list of "Sustainable Design Features" that were incorporated into the project's design and specs. These included: high-efficiency boilers; fly-ash concrete; ENERGY STAR® appliances; low-VOC paints; and bicycle storage for 15% of the units. Citizens Housing had not decided if the project would be registered with the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED ® or not.
July 2004 - PATH received authorization to continue participation on the Folsom/Dore Apartments, 98 units of affordable housing project, in San Francisco. Bambi Tran contacted the project sponsors to re-engage PATH participation in project. Ground breaking occurred earlier in the year, with a tentative ribbon cutting date of March 2005.
August 2004 - Construction continued; interior and exterior walls were being framed. PATH was asked by Citizens Housing Corporation's Project Manager for the Folsom/Dore Apartments project to explore the possibility of providing technical assistance directed toward getting the project LEED® certified. PATH noted to the Project Manager that because it was not done from the start, it is much more difficult to gather the required information for LEED® documentation after construction was well underway. PATH reviewed previously developed scorecards and was updating the scorecard to reflect current practices.
September 2004 - The project was about 60% complete. PATH updated the LEED® scorecard for the Folsom/Dore project. Some LEED ® issues remained to be clarified by Citizens Housing, their architects, and contractors. However, in summary, the updated scorecard showed that the worse case scenario would be that two of the prerequisite credits cannot be achieved (EA-P1 and EQ-P2) and only 16 total points would be achieved (need at least 26 points for LEED ® Certified). On the other hand, the best case scenario would be that all the prerequisite credits would be achieved, as well as 34 points, which would make it certifiable at the LEED ® Silver level. Preliminary planning began for a construction tour of the project sometime this Fall 2004.
October 2004 - Walls were being closed in and painting began in some units. In coordination with CHC, PATH began preparations for a construction talk and tour of the project sometime in November or December 2004. A press release was drafted as well as some PATH technology posters. A conference call to discuss LEED® certification issues with CHC, Cahill Contractors (construction contractors), and David Baker Architects (architects) was scheduled for October 8, 2004.
November 2004 - Painting was almost completed and installation of formaldehyde-free cabinets and recycled-content bathroom vinyl tiles began. In coordination with CHC, PATH continued preparations for the construction talk and tour of the project scheduled for December 8, 2004. The goal was 50 participants from the architectural, engineering, and construction industry. A press release for the project was developed and distributed to hundreds of media outfits. A conference call to discuss LEED® certification issues with CHC, Cahill Contractors (construction contractors), and David Baker Architects (architects) occurred on October 8, 2004. Several prerequisite items were pending further clarification/investigation from CHC and their project team: commissioning (who could provide commissioning services and would they be affordable? CHC was to get estimates); smoking within building (would it be allowed? If so, were the units tight enough to prevent tobacco smoke infiltration? CHC was to get estimate for blower door test).
December 2004 - Painting in the units was completed and roof jacks for the PV panels were installed. PATH organized and conducted a Talk & Tour of the project on December 8. Over 55 people -- mostly design and construction professionals -- attended. The program focused on the technologies implemented and lessons learned. Several LEED® prerequisite items are still pending further investigation from CHC and the project team: including commissioning, minimum IAQ (how to measure for compliance with naturally ventilated spaces), and environmental tobacco smoke. (Preliminary blower door tests of a unit revealed1.25 air changes per hour.)
January 2005 - Several LEED® prerequisite items were still pending further investigation from CHC and their project team: commissioning; minimum IAQ (how to measure for compliance with naturally ventilated spaces); environmental tobacco smoke (how well are the units sealed). Preliminary blower door test of a unit revealed that they are at 1.25 air changes per hour.
February 2005 - Construction continued: trim work had begun. Deva Dawson, CHC's Project Manager, received permission to register the project with LEED®. Although the project team had not finished its feasibility assessments, the goal was a LEED®-Certified rating. Substantial completion was reached on February 28th.
March 2005 --Residents began moving into the units. Deva Dawson, CHC's Project Manager, confirmed that CHC would register the project with USGBC's LEED® Green Building Rating System program. CHC also lined up their consultants to support the LEED® documentation effort.
April 2005 -- CHC officially registered the Folsom/Dore Apartments project with USGBC's LEED® Green Building Rating System program. CHC hosted a Grand Opening event on April 20th, which was attended by over 100 supporters, including San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom. Residents continued to move into the units. Episcopal Community Services began providing their services in the community spaces.
May 2005 -- The project team continued to gather information to document the LEED® credits achieved.
June 2005 -- The project team continued to gather information to document the LEED® credits achieved. The goal is to submit the full documentation package to USGBC by July 2005.
Content updated on 9/13/2005
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