Santa Monica Property Blog

ENJOY SANTA MONICA’S GREEN OFFICE BUYING GUIDE

ENJOY SANTA MONICA’S GREEN OFFICE BUYING GUIDE  

Find it @ http://www01.smgov.net/epd/SP/greenoffice/main/index.html

Have to love Santa Monica – the city is out there, oftentimes so far ahead of the curve that they make their own rules. In an effort to stay a nationally recognized leader in “green” purchasing and sustainable city programs, the City of Santa Monica  invites you to explore our virtual tour of a “green” workplace.  See for yourself the exciting opportunities that are available to create a healthier, more sustainable work environment.

http://www01.smgov.net/epd/SP/greenoffice/main/index.html

This site will assist anyone interested in purchasing products designed to use water and energy efficiently, preserve trees and natural resources, be less toxic and less polluting, and not threaten air quality.  This site is the most current and comprehensive resource you’ll need to make smart, sustainable procurement decisions.

You now have the tools. Please go out and make the world a better place.

CALIFORNIA MAKES IT EASY TO BUY, SELL, BUILD AND EXCHANGE GREENER REAL ESTATE

CALIFORNIA MAKES IT EASY TO BUY, SELL, BUILD AND EXCHANGE GREENER REAL ESTATE

by Jodi Summers

Yeah! for the politicos up in Sacramento that are incredibly supportive of California evolving mandatory green building codes, Bravo for the complete support the measures received from the state’s Building Industry Association (CBIA). After decades of debating over codes and other regulatory initiatives affecting the industry, the CBIA has changed its tactics to cooperation and ­consensus—and has won safeguards for its builder members and housing affordability. “It kind of freaked them out that we were willing to work with them,” notes CBIA spokesman Mike Castillo, referring to the seamless adoption of the new code authored by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development.

Rising standards will make new housing around our state to be 50 percent more energy efficient than current national standards (a 20 percent bump up from the state’s existing code) and progressively address critical issues of water conservation and indoor air quality during the next three years. “It will be a smooth, easy transition with interim steps and programs that help builders comply,” says Castillo. “Builders can ease into new technology and products [such as photovoltaics] while their costs come down over time.”

(See what we’re doing @ SANTA MONICA’S GOAL IS TO BECOME ONE OF THE FIRST NET ZERO CITIES http://www.santamonicapropertyblog.com/?p=134

for more information). Local officials will now have to adopt the state’s code as a minimum standard, with the ability to boost certain segments at their discretion.

Info courtesy of http://www.builderonline.com/green-building/left-coast-formula.aspx?cid=BLDR090107002

CALIFORNIA’S GREENEST CITIES

CALIFORNIA’S GREENEST CITIES

BUY NEW GREEN HOUSES -THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY WILL DRIVE GREEN BUILDING

BUY NEW GREEN HOUSES -THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY WILL DRIVE GREEN BUILDING

By Jodi Summers

Here’s a good statistic for you - the US market for “green” building materials generated sales of almost $57 billion in 2008.  Enthusiastic pundits are predicting this market is projected to expand 7.2% annually to over $80 billion in 2013, outpacing the growth of building construction expenditures over that period. A solid conclusion, since green building is in the forefront of our economic recovery. The fact that the government is leading our green revolution is confirmed in Green Building Materials, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

Sure,  green building materials are expected to account for an increasing share of materials used, but the growth of this market will be driven primarily by the recovery of the residential market through 2013 as it rises from its depressed 2008 level. 

Among the products that are favored in our new, green recovery are interior products – like lighting, wall and floor coverings, and windows – as opposed to energy efficient renewables that are leading the change.

This trend is confirmed by a National Association of Home Builders survey of multi-family builders and developers made similar conclusions. While 74% of respondents said that their buyers and renters are willing to pay more for green amenities, the median additional amount that they’re willing to pay is just 2%. Some other stats of note: 89% of respondents (again, multi-family builders and developers, nationwide) said they are currently installing energy-efficient appliances and lighting in their projects, 79% are installing low-E windows, 64% are incorporating recycled materials, and 50% are installing greater insulation than required by local code (that figure jumps to 70% among respondents based on the West Coast).

The Freedonia Group report concluded that the largest source of green building materials demand in the next few years will come from green floor coverings. Green carpets and flooring include Green Label Plus-certified carpets and products made from rapidly renewable resources (e.g., bamboo and cork flooring). 

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood products will sell out. As controlled forestry moves forward, FSC-certified lumber and wood panels are expected to be the fastest growing green product area.  FSC-certified products are produced via environmentally responsible and socially beneficial forestry practices.  As supply grows, demand for FSC-certified wood panels is projected to more than triple between 2008 and 2013, growing more than three times as fast as the overall market for wood panels.

Concrete made from recycled materials (e.g., fly ash, blast furnace slag) was the second-in-demand as far as green building materials sales 2008, accounting for over 15% of the market total.  The use of recycled materials in concrete not only reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills, but often enhances the performance of the concrete.  Going forward, demand for concrete made from recycled materials is forecast to grow 8.4% per year to $14.3 billion in 2013, accounting for an increasing share of total concrete used.

Other products expected to see fast growth through 2013 include water-efficient plumbing fixtures and fittings, and energy-efficient lighting fixtures.   Demand for each of these products is forecast to grow at a double-digit pace through 2013, but account for only a small share of total green building materials market. 

Sources:

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=78976&cat=1

http://www.greenbuildingsnyc.com/2008/08/28/green-building-statistics-demand-is-high-design-experience-is-low/

http://www.fypower.org/partners/ilg/statistics/green_building.html

http://greendevelopmentplaybook.net/database/images/display/sb4720d928d50d3.jpg

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/02/05/is-it-green-concrete/

SANTA MONICA PIER CONCERT SERIES ANNOUNCED

edited by Jodi Summers

We know you’ve been wanted the schedule for the 25th Annual Twilight Dance Series.

Allow us to present it to you without editorial comment…

July 2 - Playing for Change Band

Bushman (Jamaican Reggae)

July 9 - Joan Baez

with Special Guest Tift Merritt

July 16- Sergent Garcia

Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca

July 23 - LA MONICA REDUX BALLROOM >

Squirrel Nut Zippers

Johnny Vana & the Big Band Alumni

July 30 - Orchestra Baobao

August 6 - Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women

Paul Thorn

August 13- Idan Raichel Project

Elijah Emanuel

August 20 - Venice

Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real

August 27- Lila Downs

Very Be Careful

For more information about the Twilight Dance Series, visit www.santamonicapier.org

OR CALL (310) 458-8901.

http://www.santamonicapier.org/

http://www.santamonicalandmarks.com/landmk32.html

http://www.santamonicapropertyblog.com/?p=908

SHOULD LOS ANGELES SELL OFF LEGACY LIABILITIES?

By Jodi Summers

Welcome to the Breed St. Shul in Boyle Heights. From 1915 to 1951 it was the largest Jewish Orthodox synagogue in the western United States, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 2000, the City of Los Angeles quitclaimed the property to Breed Street Shul Project, Inc., a subsidiary of the Jewish Historical Society of Southern California. The Shul, like so many other National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) properties currently lies in neglect.

It is one of many NRHP properties caged behind fencing decaying around Los Angeles.

Engine House #18

Bravo to the Governor for the bold suggestion that the state sell off high maintenance  legacy assets such as the Del Mar fairgrounds, the Los Angeles Coliseum and Alcatraz.

Perhaps Los Angeles County should consider selling off NRHP properties that have become legacy liabilities.

Washington Irving Branch Library

FYI - The City of LA currently has 195 properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Los Angeles County boasts another 148 properties.  

Garfield Building

Too many of these noteworthy historic properties are sequestered behind chain link fences, decomposing from neglect. 

Santa Fe Coast Lines Hospital

Wikipedia counts 2,414 National Register properties in the state of California.  Do the math.

Angelus Funeral Home

Let us suggest that Los Angeles County sell off properties that have become, to paraphrase the governor, legacy liabilities. This would give them the opportunity truly become assets to our city and our community. In addition, to reclaiming these local treasures from the scrap heaps of history, freeing local government of the rehabilitation and maintenance responsibilities of these properties would ease the budget crunch.

This would give be giving the city / state short term assets in terms of sales, and long term assets in terms of taxes and community improvement.

Golden Gate Theater

**

Sources

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124233275075820819.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breed_Street_Shul

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_California

Angels Flight Railway