Brownsville, TX - Site Demonstration

PATH - A Public Private Partnership for Advancing Housing Technology

PAGE LINKS: List of Site Demonstrations

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Project Chronology

October 2001 - PATH contacts YouthBuild for list of projects.

November 2001 - PATH contacts Brownsville Community Development Center's (BCDC) Nick Mitchell-Bennett, upon suggestion of YouthBuild.

December 2001 - PATH requests letter of commitment and other information in preparation for Level 1 PATH funding request to HUD. BCDC sends letter of interest.

January 2002 - Steven Winter Associates (SWA), on behalf of PATH, signs non-disclosure agreement. HUD gives go-ahead to proceed with project subject to approval by HUD colonia advisors.

February 2002 - SWA's Gordon Tully and Alex Grinnell travel to Brownsville to meet with BCDC, observe construction practices, see completed colonia house; evident possibility to improve framing, HVAC, glazing.

March 2002 - PATH submits report on energy tradeoffs that shows several energy-saving technologies are feasible without raising ownership cost.

April 2002 - PATH submits report on the PATH technologies that might be used in the project.

May 2002 - PATH receives negative response to suggestion to Owens-Corning to perform research in non-vented roof with OC fiberglass insulation and roofing.

June 2002 - PATH completes preliminary framing drawings; needs further engineering; looks as though major savings possible in framing costs. BCDC sends materials list for colonia house; first response to request for info after busy period. BCDC prefers single "all stops out" package to incremental approach to the demonstration homes.

July 2002 - PATH completes simplifying revisions to colonia house plans, preparatory to final set of framing drawings. PATH completes the final wind code package. PATH's decision to seek engineering stamp on package by Texas-certified engineer; plans to "spend" framing savings on advanced energy-saving measures.

August 2002 - PATH sends calculations to Simpson Strong-Tie for engineering approval and stamp.

September 2002 - PATH receives stamped engineering drawings. PATH revises framing drawings and submits drawings and calculations to BCDC to seek building department approval.

October 2002 - CDCB reviewed plans; PATH made some changes and the plans will be sent to the county building official on October 28th, 2002 for review.

November 2002 - Media Plan submitted. CDCB secures the services of a local engineer, who stamped the drawings. CDCB is in the process of qualifying two families for home ownership.

December 2002 - CDCB and PATH work together to finalize the list of energy improvements and PATH technologies to be included in the prototype(s); definitely included: SEER-14 air conditioners, increased insulation levels and low-e double-glazing.

January 2003 - Gordon Tully visits CDCB in Brownsville to go over the details of construction with YouthBuild. Closing was postponed until the first week of February.

February 2003 - Waiting for title to clear for the target homeowner.

March 2003 - Delay in clearing of title, expected closing date April 1, 2003.

April 2003 - Batter boards are set for foundations. A teleconference occurs with PATH, CDCB, and HUD regarding plans for a ground-breaking/ribbon-cutting event scheduled for the last week in June.

May 2003 - Gordon Tully visits the colonia home currently under construction and answers questions. Due to availability, a SEER-12 unit will be used. PATH made a minor change to plans because "ladders" at intersecting partitions in the outside wall do not work with required gypsum board nailing.

June 2003 - Gordon Tully visits the site to address construction problems with the attached carport roof. Tully oversees a "technology ribbon-cutting." CDCB is sending PATH a letter of interest for additional work on affordable housing for Mexican-American families.

August 2003 - PATH revises drawings to incorporate changes agreed to at site visit. PATH contacts a structural engineer in Brownsville for further refinement and to clarify conflicting requirements between IRC and Texas wind code. CDCB investigates the use of trusses and rejects them as too costly on a small home.

September 2003 - The initial Youthbuild home is nearing completion, being held up for want of a crimping tool to complete the installation of the PEX piping at the fixtures. The second home, built by contractor DeLeon, has been completed, and will be occupied soon. Several other colonia homes are in the pipeline.

Content updated on 10/30/2003

Graphical Version