Thursday, May 11, 2017

High Technology: Smart Antennae Guides Grader Blade on our Emerging Landscape


Member David Tucker took this photo on Tuesday evening from near the top of our building site.You can see one person still working on a bulldozer to the right. Attached to the post in the center of this picture is what looks like a Trimble Antennae - maybe an SPS585 GNSS Smart Antennae - which is part of a GNSS-based guidance system that controls the blade of a grader so that the grading will be accurate.

The wire next to the post runs down to what looks like a large car or marine battery on the ground. You can see the Trimble receiver mounted on a high pole at the front of the bulldozer.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Polished Concrete Floors - A Good Choice for our Commonhouse

We are seriously considering using Polished Concrete flooring in our commonhouse as well as some of our individual units. It's a "green" choice, has low maintenance, is durable, and is more attractive than you might think. If you'd like to know more, here's a good link: http://www.homedit.com/guide-to-polished-concrete-floors/


Field Trip on Friday!
We expect construction on the Prairie Hill commonhouse to begin very soon, and we've decided to see a variety of  polished concrete flooring to help us in decision-making. This Friday, May 12, we are taking a tour of several local businesses that have chosen polished concrete in their buildings. If you're interested in joining us, please email nanjfawcett@gmail.com for more details. We'll be starting at 4:30 on the west side of Iowa City, and will end up in North Liberty to see one last floor in a restaurant where we can also share a meal.


Monday, May 1, 2017

Grand Celebration on Prairie Hill Site

On Friday, April 21, Great Western Bank sponsored a celebration to mark the completion of our construction loan with them. They are proud to be financing the first cohousing community in Iowa, and we are delighted to have the loan application over and accepted. Steve Schmidt, our general contractor, cleared off an area on the east side of the infrastructure work, and a canopy was set up. Tables were spread with delicious edibles, and champagne was served to toast the project and our wonderful professionals who have all helped make Prairie Hill Cohousing possible.


Here is a list of all the professionals who were able to make it to the celebration. Of course, there are many others who have been part of the work and were not present but who are equally appreciated.

Great Western Bank: Rick Oehler, Melissa Schooley and Patrick Donnelly

Apex Construction: Steve Schmidt, General Contractor

John Shaw, architect

C-Wise Designing and Consulting: Martha Norbeck, architect and LEED consultant

Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County: Tracey Achenbach and Casey Cooper (staff). Ellen Habel and Jerry Anthony (board of directors)

The Housing Fellowship: Maryann Dennis, Executive Director. Mike Dennis and Silas Hugill (staff)

City of Iowa City: Jim Throgmorton, Mayor