2004 Nov
2004 Nov Vol. 24, No. 11
Focus on...Building Maintenance
A Messy Situation
Garbage is a problem that every city has to deal with. In New York City alone, it's estimated that every person generates 2.5 pounds of garbage a day. Given a population of roughly 8 million, that garbage piles up into unsightly heaps very quickly, not to mention attracting vermin, too. Boards and management of buildings need to help tenants and shareholders understand proper trash disposal - to help city refuse workers dispose of it easily and efficiently, but also to reduce the unpleasant impact of garbage waiting for pick-up day. Read More
Breathing Well, Living Well
Given the number of breaths we all take on any given day, it's surprising that more attention isn't given to air quality. The subject usually only comes up when there's a problem - after people start sneezing or feeling ill. As with any potential health issue, however, the best time to talk about air quality problems is before they start. Preventive measures and a few doses of common sense can go a long way in keeping residents - and buildings - healthy. Read More
Proper Cosmetic Improvements
One of the most effective means of enhancing the value of an apartment or house is through "cosmetic" renovations. These types of improvements are, ostensibly, surface upgrades that address the appearance of a property, rather than such structural changes as replacing or tearing down walls. Assuming the infrastructure is sound, cosmetic improvements will help increase the value of your property, whether for purposes of sale or to simply provide an environment that meets your personal standards. Moreover, these improvements prudently constitute preventative maintenance, which saves both money and aggravation in the long-term. Read More
Altering Your Apartment
Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone completed renovations on time? Reducing the time the construction process takes in a cooperative or condominium building benefits everyone. The renovators are able to occupy their apartments sooner, which can result in substantial savings; neighbors are not unduly inconvenienced; and the anxiety levels of the building's board of directors, managing agent and staff are considerably reduced. If the renovation of a private home is not well thought out, it usually affects only the homeowner and the contractor. But a poorly planned and poorly executed apartment renovation can affect everyone in the building. Read More
Affordable Living in Chelsea
A casual passer-by on Eighth Avenue in Chelsea could easily pass a particular cluster of high-rises on the west side of the street and think they're just a group of typical Manhattan residential buildings. Read More
Above and Beyond
In New York City, you can have just about anything delivered to your door at any hour of the day or night. Food, furniture, entertainment; you name it, you pay for it, and you got it. This is a city where convenience and efficiency are valued almost as much as square footage and lush views of Central Park. And with the average price of a new one-bedroom reaching $1 million, it should come as no surprise that co-op or condo buyers are beginning to expect something more than just a nice address and shiny new appliances when they move into their new digs. Read More
Super Supers
Locked out? Need your heat fixed? Perhaps your apartment has a problem with multi-legged creatures. Who are you going to call? Your building superintendent, of course. Your super is there to repair the broken, find the missing, and restore order when things go haywire. Read More
Building Anatomy 101
In many ways, a building is like the human body: If you want it to function properly over the long haul, you have to take care of it with clean fuel, regular maintenance, and the occasional visit to a specialist. And like a body's vital organs, a building's systems are integrated and reliant upon each other to function properly, so it's important to know the basics of how the various systems operate. It also means being able to recognize potential problems early so that they don't develop into something major. Read More
Ready for Anything
We all know it's a good idea to keep tabs on the everyday supplies needed to keep our household clean and running smoothly: simple things like light bulbs, cleaning products, and perhaps, the odd spare roll of duct tape. The same is true for co-op and condo buildings, though the scale is obviously much larger and therefore a little more complicated. Read More
