Construction starts on 156 'net-zero' apartments in Rotterdam Oct 7, 2014, 6:59am EDT UPDATED: Oct 7, 2014, 9:07am EDT
Michael DeMasi Reporter- Albany Business Review
Construction has started on netZero Village, a 156-unit apartment complex in Rotterdam, New York that is designed to produce as much energy than it uses. Photovoltaic panels mounted on carports and solar thermal panels on the roof will generate electricity and heat water tanks. Windows will be airtight, the walls packed with insulation and the lights made of long-lasting LEDs. To ensure good ventilation, each apartment will have a fresh-air exchange. "At night or on cloudy days, the complex consumes energy from the grid," said David Bruns, owner of Bruns Realty Group, the developer. "In the summer, the electric meter will spin backwards. At the end of the year, that meter usage will be zero." So-called 'net-zero' apartments and homes have been popping up across the country, as developers and property owners seek ways to reduce energy costs and be more environmentally friendly. It's a small but growing segment of the real estate industry, and one that Bruns wholeheartedly supports. Bruns, a multi-family developer for the past 25 years, took a long time planning, designing and financing netZero Village because he's a strong believer in helping the environment. "As a member of the human race, I'm interested in that," Bruns said. That commitment extends to his personal life. Bruns, 49, drives an all-electric Tesla (list price: $90,000) and owns a van and two pick-up trucks fueled by recycled vegetable oil. The trucks are equipped with plows to clear snow from the 200 apartments he owns in the area. netZero Village is being built in two phases on 17 acres off Burdeck Street, near Duanesburg Road (Route 7). The land is behind an apartment complex formerly known as Carefree Village.
Bruns paid $2.1 million for the property, which includes three of the Carefree Village buildings. Those three buildings will be renovated and are not part of netZero Village. The first phase, which consists of 72 units, will cost $9 million. Berkshire Bank provided construction financing, and Ballston Mourningkill Associates is the general contractor. The second phase, with 84 units, will cost $10 million. Bruns said the energy-efficiency and environmentally friendly measures added about 15 percent to 20 percent to the construction cost. He's not concerned because he intends to own the property for the long-term. He also is convinced the apartments will attract tenants because of the green construction techniques and competitive rents. A one-bedroom, 790-square-foot unit will cost $1,195, including all utilities, Internet access, basic cable, full-size washer/dryer and covered parking. A two-bedroom, 1,093-square-foot unit will rent for $1,435. Model units are expected to be ready by mid-April.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
A one-bedroom, 790-square-foot unit will cost $1,195, including all utilities, Internet access, basic cable, full-size washer/dryer and covered parking. A two-bedroom, 1,093-square-foot unit will rent for $1,435.
not a bad deal! where in ROTTENdam will these be located?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
not a bad deal! where in ROTTENdam will these be located?
Corner of Burdeck St. and Rt. 7
"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,"
not a bad deal! where in ROTTENdam will these be located?
17 acres off Burdeck Street, near Duanesburg Road (Route 7). The land is behind an apartment complex formerly known as Carefree Village.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
way too expensive for seniors and a lot of others looking to rent......you can get a mortgage anywhere for less...
who will rent these.....section 8????????.....lol...
rent is way over the top for most....should have rent control in this area....
in the owner's dreams for renters...
When you factor in that ALL utilities are included as well as all the other amenities, I think you're wrong on that. I'm a low income senior, and I just did some quick number crunching and realized that this would be a very affordable deal for me. I'm actually paying more than that (I factored in my utilities) in my current apartment which is 50sq ft smaller. Heating costs and electric killed me last winter. I'll be looking into these apartments as a new home.
"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,"
When you factor in that ALL utilities are included as well as all the other amenities, I think you're wrong on that. I'm a low income senior, and I just did some quick number crunching and realized that this would be a very affordable deal for me. I'm actually paying more than that (I factored in my utilities) in my current apartment which is 50sq ft smaller. Heating costs and electric killed me last winter. I'll be looking into these apartments as a new home.
I agree with you. There is a market for apartments like these in the Capital Region for people 50+ who are downsizing and for young adults who prefer apartment living.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
I agree with you. There is a market for apartments like these in the Capital Region for people 50+ who are downsizing and for young adults who prefer apartment living.
Yep. I think that people get locked into a certain mindset, and as a result don't realize that there ARE alternatives to the "traditional" mom dad buddy sis and apple pie model that doesn't seem to work anymore.
"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,"
When you factor in that ALL utilities are included as well as all the other amenities, I think you're wrong on that. I'm a low income senior, and I just did some quick number crunching and realized that this would be a very affordable deal for me. I'm actually paying more than that (I factored in my utilities) in my current apartment which is 50sq ft smaller. Heating costs and electric killed me last winter. I'll be looking into these apartments as a new home.
I agree. Some folks paid upwards of $400/month JUST FOR HEATING COSTS! and everyone is complaining about the ever rising cost of cable.
the only seniors that do ok financially living in their own homes....are one's that their homes are paid off. but then they reach an age where they can't maintain it anymore, they sell their homes and move to apts.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
[b] A one-bedroom, 790-square-foot unit will cost $1,195, including all utilities, Internet access, basic cable, full-size washer/dryer and covered parking. A two-bedroom, 1,093-square-foot unit will rent for $1,435. Model units are expected to be ready by mid-April.
Are you and your two mommies going to move there?
DV thinks no one knows how to read the news ourselves, he has to post the news we've already read about. Too bad he can't find any news stories that supports his comments that taxes in the county are lower than in the 1970's
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
DV thinks no one knows how to read the news ourselves, he has to post the news we've already read about. Too bad he can't find any news stories that supports his comments that taxes in the county are lower than in the 1970's
JUST BECAUSE SISSY SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO...BUT HE THINKS IT DOES!!!!! JUST BECAUSE MC1 SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO!!!!!
DV thinks no one knows how to read the news ourselves, he has to post the news we've already read about. Too bad he can't find any news stories that supports his comments that taxes in the county are lower than in the 1970's
Says the gutless coward with an ax to grind. Can't say anything constructive, then resort to 6th grade tactics.
"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,"
I applaud Mr. Bruns efforts and I am glad he is building environmentally friendly. However are these units not tapping into the sewer treatment plant? I thought that was one of the hold ups with the approval process with the town? If they truly want to be net zero they need to treat and reuse on site or go to septic. Sending sewage to the treatment facility causes energy use at the treatment plant.
I applaud Mr. Bruns efforts and I am glad he is building environmentally friendly. However are these units not tapping into the sewer treatment plant? I thought that was one of the hold ups with the approval process with the town? If they truly want to be net zero they need to treat and reuse on site or go to septic. Sending sewage to the treatment facility causes energy use at the treatment plant.
They are NOT using the sewage treatment plant.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
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