UHI's Trip to Portland Highlights Green Building!

Green Building Tour in Portland, OR

United Housing is excited to share some photos from our Green Building tour of Portland. A local, Portland Community Development Corporation (CDC), REACH CDC, has a Leed Certified multi-family housing project featuring a "green roof," solar panels, and 100% on-site storm water management called Gray's Landing.

The six-story building has underground parking, 5,000 sf of commercial space (including REACH office space), 209 affordable units - units available to households earning 60% of their median income and 42 of the apartments are targeted to low income veterans. Green features include: solar hot water panels, well insulated exterior envelope, including high efficiency windows, fresh air ventilation directly to all apartments, low-use plumbing and electric fixtures and Energy Star appliances.

REACH CDC partnered with HUD, NeighborWorks America, Portland Housing Bureau soft TIF laon, Oregon Housing and Community Services weatherization grant, used the Enterprise 4% tax credit equity, the Energy Trusts Hot Water Incentitive, an ecoroof grant from Portland Bureau of Environmental services and bond financing.

This is the first affordable rental housing development in the emerging South Waterfront neighborhood. The location is close to many transit options. This project will provide the economic stimulus for the city with living-wage jobs and economic opportunities for minority and women-owned contractors.

United Housing admires this project and hopes to create a similar opportunity in our single-family, homeowership units in Memphis at Wolf River Bluffs!

Pictured: The green roof features drought tolerant plants and solar panels that provide 50% of the building's hot water.

Check out more info on Gray's Landing by clicking here!

A Time and Place: Sundial and benchmark for Wolf River Bluffs

Artist, James Wallace, creates a public sculpture for Wolf River Bluffs. 

United Housing worked with the Urban Art Commission to secure James Wallace's talented design eye. Wolf River Bluffs is to be a site that will change the way we think about affordable housing and green design in Memphis and this unique sculpture embodies this new adventure. "Many times, it was because of an event, the marker (sculpture) is placed in a specific location." The event is green building that is affordable in a neighborhood in need to new and improved housing stock. Wallace describes his design:

"'A Time and A Place' is the marker for Wolf River Bluffs, a planned development with unique visions for both the occupants and the environment. It will be the benchmark, depicting latitude, longitude and elevation above sea level, and a sundial.    

Constructed in weathering Corten (base and platform) and stainless, it will be the zero or starting point for both time and distance.  

Finished dimensions will be approximately 13 feet long, 2.5 feet wide and 7 feet high."  

This marker will be a sign of a meeting place or the referenced site of an event. Thanks to the artist and to everyone involved in making this happen for Wolf River Bluffs!

The photo courtesy of Urban Art Commission is a model for the design to be completed in late spring/summer 2013.

First Four Homes at Wolf River a Solar Panel Shy of Complete!

The first four homes built as a part of the third round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program are ready, save for the final piece - the solar panel installation. Very soon these homes will become energy-producing homes! The Wolf River Bluffs development is also EcoBUILD certified by MLGW saving the homeowner $50 per month in utility costs! 

The second round of homes to be built are expected to be on the market later his summer. Stay tuned!

The homes feature beautiful hardwood floors!

Photos courtesy of Bianca Patel

Finishing Touches at Wolf River Bluffs Development!

The first four homes in Wolf River Bluffs are finishing up! The walls are getting painted, and the kitchens are coming together. The solar panel installations are next! Stay tuned for that!

Photos courtesy of Mike Brunk

Progress at Homes in Wolf River Bluffs

As the first month of 2013 comes to a close, the homes at Wolf River Bluffs are finally looking like houses!

As of January 28, electrical wiring and plumbing are in process. The builders have begun adding Memphis Light Gas and Water's (MLGW) EcoBUILD features to the homes. The energy efficiency will help new neighbors keep costs low on their energy bills.

According to Mike Brunk, our Construction Manager, Lot 19 has a roof as exterior paint is added.

Earthquake protection is put into the new homes!

Lot 33's framing, siding, windows, and doors are in the process of going in.

Lot 34 is next to go up! Foundation on the fourth home is complete with framing beginning today or tomorrow!

Photos courtesy of Mike Brunk

Despite the Weather, It's Coming Together!

The rain is not stopping the building at the Wolf River Bluffs Development at James Rd. and McLean Blvd.! The foundations were poured Monday, and the framing started Wednesday. 

UHI is ramping up 2013 without wasting much time. "These first four homes should be done by March as long as we stay on schedule," says Anne Meadors, Housing Production Manager. 

And we are doing just that, rain or shine!

Photos courtesy of Mike Brunk, Construction Manager. Check out more photos here. 

Energy Efficiency is the New Normal

DOE Funds Leading Edge Building Technologies

SustainableBusiness.com News

As part of its efforts to help homeowners and businesses reduce energy consumption and utility bills, the Department of Energy (DOE) is investing $9 million in six advanced US manufacturing projects that will improve energy performance.

“A typical American family spends nearly $2,000 per year on their home energy bills, and much of that money is wasted on air leaks and drafts in our homes’ roofs, attics and walls. By bringing new, affordable energy efficient products to the market, we can help families save money by saving energy, while strengthening U.S. manufacturing leadership in technologies that are increasingly in demand worldwide.”

United Housing's Wolf River Project incorporates the same energy efficient construction with the addition of solar panels giving these Memphis homes a cutting edge in efficiency. Take a better look here.