Month: February 2021

Welcome Herkimer Newcomers! But Beware

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Stephen Ames Berry

Welcome Herkimer newcomers! It’s obvious you’re here–there are but a paltry handful of houses for sale in our pinch-its-cute-little-cheeks village. (Locals are over their shock and quickly fixing up properties.) The good stuff quickly vanishes even as realtors scramble for listings. Same throughout the Mohawk Valley. And Utica! Talk about a renaissance. That grimy old rustbelt city looks like someone swung wide its top and is pouring in the hidden horde of Bernie Madoff. After years here in the trenches and predicting this, it’s exciting and gratifying. 

If you’ve been reading our blog, you know much about the hidden Herkimer we stumbled into 7 years ago. #HereBeDragons And yet still you came.

But as many of you came bearing license plates from as far away as California, Texas, Alaska and Washington (“The Evergreen State” their plate read hopefully), you may not know of the false promises of our New York weather. Today, for example, holds the promise of an early spring. As with many things Herkimer, appearances can be deceiving. Fulfilling our civic duty to warn, below’s a pictorial guide to New York weather. (Tip: Now’s a great time to buy a snowblower.)

Again, welcome aboard. The world and Herkimer are changing around us. Don’t know how it’ll all shake out, but just by moving here, you’ve infused new life and possibilities into our cynical old village. Going to be good days ahead. Stay safe.

Herkimer weather unmasked

 

Fast 3D-Printed Housing in New York State: A Simple Solution for a Complex Time

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Linda Kaidan

PERI, a German technology company, has been the first to create a 3D printed multistory building that is fully German certified. The BOD2 3D printer can construct a 3 story building of 10,000 square feet.

With construction supplies in short demand, it’s a relief to see the debut of a new construction methodology that can decrease construction prices by 50% or more. 3D printing robots have become more functional than ever, and now can be used to create buildings of up to 3 stories. This multi-story functionality is especially important, as it can reduce urban sprawl.  We need never again create another San Fernando Valley of congestion, unbreathable air, and unaffordable homes.

Upstate New York has experienced a massive shortage of housing in the last year. Few homes are available for sale. Housing unavailability is also driven by many who see central and northern NY as an ideal location for remote work and home offices at a more reasonable price than their current homes in more urban areas. Statistics published by the New York State Association of Realtors for the 12 month period ending January 2021 indicate that sales increased by 16.7% and inventory dropped by 26.7%.

Constructiondive.com reports significant increases in basic building material costs over the past year, much of it the result of Covid-19 disruption:

Material % change Jan. 2020
to Jan. 2021
Iron and steel 15.6%
Steel mill products 7.4%
Softwood lumber 73%

SOURCE: Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of BLS data

3D Printing to the Rescue!

3D printed homes are constructed from concrete paste, typically mixed from local materials. Floors and walls, both interior and exterior, are extrusion printed by giant robots which are programmed to manufacture predesigned and tested structures on site. This construction can often be completed in a matter of days and includes whimsical curves that are far more enchanting than right angles and parallel planes. Home construction robots can cost $250,000 and up, but careful research and selection of a manufacturer will help to quickly build cost-efficient, high-quality housing. We certainly hope to see some local 3D printed housing soon spring up here in Upstate New York.

Recent 3D print housing projects in the US include gorgeous $10k Austin TX homeless housing and a home in Millbrook, NY listed for sale on Trulia for $300,000. Don’t be shy! Buy a nice abandoned farm and turn it into an attractive, affordable 3D printed home community. Help house our future😊