Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: development questions--again

[Laura Fitch (lfitch]

Ultimately I'd say that Pioneer Valley Cohousing got about as much bang for 
the buck as any community (including the biggest common house in the US). 
This probably had something to do with being self-developed.  But we had 
real professionals in our group - including the GC who had experience with 
affordable housing.

Laura

Laura E. Fitch, AIA, LEED
Kraus-Fitch Architects, Inc.
110 Pulpit Hill Rd.
Amherst, MA  01002

413-549-5799
lfitch [at] krausfitch.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sharilyn Rediess" <sredies1 [at] rochester.rr.com>
To: "'Cohousing-L'" <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 2:02 PM
Subject: Re: [C-L]_ development questions--again


> So, as Catya said, "the lack of MONEY" in the arrangement--that means that
> the group has to come up with lots more up front money (to buy the land,
> have a significant investment to convince the bank to give you a
> construction loan) in addition to the other costs like legal fees,
> environmental evaluations, etc.  Is that correct?
>
> If you can raise that kind of cash up front (through home equity loans,
> savings, beg, borrow [no stealing]), in the long run will the overall cost
> be lower in this model (sans development partner)?
>
> If any of my fellow New Yorkers are reading, is this type of a model more 
> or
> less problematic under the Martin Act, or is in not relevant?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Shari
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Catya Belfer-Shevett [mailto:catya [at] homeport.org]
> Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 1:18 PM
> To: Cohousing-L
> Subject: Re: [C-L]_ development questions--again
>
> That's about what we're doing (no GC yet) - the problem is the lack of
> MONEY in that arrangement.  In terms of having qualified professionals,
> it's great.
>
> - catya, Mosaic Commons
>
> sredies1 [at] rochester.rr.com wrote:
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I am part of the forming Rochester Group and have been reading archives
> and
> > asking individuals (cohousing and local planners/architects) many
> questions
> > about the development process.  Here is a question that I would 
> > appreciate
> > hearing thoughts on:  One cohousing group I spoke with is using a
> > development model that includes a project manager, general contractor, 
> > and
> > architect as their primary development team.  Is this approach the same 
> > as
> > what is typically called "self-development"? Or would this type of team
> > have enough professional expertise to avoid the pitfalls of
> > self-development that have been described on this list.  From what I
> > understand, this type of model can be less expensive than having the 
> > usual
> > partnership with a developer.
> >
> > Our group understands the value of having experienced professionals who
> can
> > oversee the project (help keep it in budget), permitting, and handle many
> > of the development type decisions/tasks, etc.  Can a project manager/GC
> > handle this as capably as a developer?
> >
> > Thanks for your patience in answering yet another development question.
> > Any thoughts would be appreciated.
> >
> > Shari Rediess
> > Rochester NY
> >
> >
> >
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