CHI and Mayor Delfino hosts ribbon cutting for Minerva Place

On December 15, Community Housing Innovations (CHI), along with White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino, hosted a ribbon-cutting for Minerva Place Condominiums, celebrating the city's most energy-efficient residence. The units, which are being purchased by homeowners who are part of the local workforce, were developed, constructed and marketed by Community Housing Innovations, Inc., a White Plains-based nonprofit organization founded in 1991. Minerva Place Condominiums is praised as the most energy-efficient residence in White Plains, featuring the city's first GeoExchange system for heating and cooling. Eight wells, each 360 feet deep, draw energy from the earth for heating and cooling, using a ground source heat pump system. In addition to a GeoExchange system that uses the constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool the building, Minerva Place Condominiums features energy-efficient construction techniques, insulation, plumbing and lighting upgrades that are projected to save homebuyers approximately 30% on energy costs, compared to a typical new development. The project architect was Warshauer Mellusi Warshauer Architects, P.C. The modular builder was Deluxe Building Systems, Inc. The lender was TD Bank, N.A. White Plains donated land and about $75,000 per unit in subsidy from its Affordable Housing Fund. NYSERDA is projected to contribute about $55,000 toward the energy-saving improvements. "In these difficult economic times, I am proud to say White Plains has options to elevate families into home ownership," said Mayor Delfino. "These condos will fill a critical workforce housing need in White Plains." "It is a testament to the dedication of the city, our lender and construction professionals that we were able to deliver the building below budget when it is needed most and use the savings to increase energy efficiency, upgrade the landscaping, and improve common areas," stated Frank Zisa, CHI's director of development, who oversaw the project.