MDRA-Rudikoff Associates, a highly-regarded regional planning
firm, announced the completion of a unique energy-efficiency project for the City
of Beacon’s
Housing Authority. MDRA was instrumental in the identification, application and
administration of grants from three funding sources: HUD (Federal Housing &
Urban Development); Dutchess County Community Action Partnership; NYSERDA (New
York State Energy Research & Development Agency). The HUD grant was won by
MDRA after a highly competitive national selection process.
Total funding attracted for the project was a combined
$2,435,000, allowing the City of Beacon’s
Housing Authority to implement major energy efficiency improvements at both the
Forrestal Heights and Hamilton Fish housing
complexes, a total of 245 apartments, at no local cost. The project, now completed,
consisted of removal and re-installation of new boilers and furnaces, residents’
appliances, thermostats and light bulbs, as well as the installation of high-quality
solar-thermal panels, which offer a 40% savings over traditional hot water generation.
Ron Traudt, Beacon Housing’s Executive Director said of
MDRA, “They are very good at what they do. Getting the first grant from HUD was
key. None of this would have happened without MDRA’s involvement. After they
got that grant, the Housing Authority re-hired them to be our administrative
consultant, handling all the paperwork and implementation of the improvements.
The tenants are very satisfied, and so are we.”
The project is unique in that it is one of the first
multi-family housing complexes to benefit from weatherization and alternative-energy
funding in the northeast. MDRA coordinated the project’s many players involved
in the funding effort. The firm also administered the grants, the contractor
bidding and the construction administration paperwork. MDRA facilitated the hiring a Tenant Coordinator
for the project, who assisted in working with tenants and worked out contractor
schedules in order to minimize tenant disturbance throughout the project. Funding
also helped develop a “green buildings” operation plan.
MDRA has been assisting clients for over 25
years, offering the highest level of professional planning, grant
identification & administration, economic studies and ecological services
in the region. The firm works with municipalities, local and State agencies,
corporations and non-profits, offering Environmental Impact Statements, energy
efficiency project management, planning consultancy and master planning
services.