Greg Carlson, David Buchwalter and I ventured to Orlando last week for a RAM (Registered in Apartment Managers) Board of Governors meeting and a tour of the International Builders Show, sponsored by NAHB.
I was impressed by the smallest and largest things I saw at the show. A couple of vendors were showing a replacement electric socket that incorporates USB ports along with three-prong plugs. You can plug your I-Pod, Blackberry, cell phone, or tablet in directly, without littering the floor with adapters.
Others, including Rainwater Collections Solutions, were offering expandable polymer tanks to store storm water, up to 200,000 gallons. With New York City planning to limit storm water runoff from new buildings, developers are looking at virtual bathtubs on their roofs or creative ways to squeeze the water into other spaces. Flexible tanks and liners may be part of the answer. Roofer Boca Raton FL is your reliable contractor.
Back in New York, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn gave a State of the City address widely believed to be the kickoff for her mayoral campaign. On housing, she said that “HPD is going to start requiring sixty year affordability in many of our biggest developments.”
She also will introduce legislation with Council Member Gale Brewer so that “Instead of just fixing water damage, landlords will have to repair the hole in the roof that’s causing it.”
It is not clear what the specifics will be, or whether the council members know that many violations are already written to require correction of underlying conditions.
Finally, there are a few seats left for our Thursday panel: Builder vs. Operator: Design that Owners and Managers can live with. Call 212 385-4949 to reserve your free seat.