Pittsburgh Greenhouse

Terry and I doing the VPWG request forms, as well as him helping me with URA paperwork, in 2008, when 329 Hancock St was first identified as a candidate property.

http://digitalfreaks.org/~lavalamp/cp/displayimage.php?album=47&pid=2816#top_display_media

I'd like to take a moment thank property speculators, the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority, and JP Morgan-Chase/Lehman Brothers for their unbridled support over the years.

From my letter to Allegheny County Property:

"I recently purchased my property.  It is a vacant building.  It is
under restroration construction.  I hope to move in by Spring 2013.
It will be my single family home.  I currently rent an apt close to
the property.

From the FAQ: "A homestead property is a dwelling primarily used by an
owner as his or her permanent home. The owner may be living
temporarily at another location, but he or she must have the intention
of returning to that home [...] In general, it is the address where

Photos from Day 1 of my 2012 "Vacation" are up.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104636252182283970301/posts

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104636252182283970301/albums/5731241309981078721

A big thanks to my mumzies, Judy Fulton, and Mary Beth Simmons for letting me borrow her XM/Serious radio for the job site. (FUCK ALL CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS)

Also a HUGE thanks thanks to Terry Doloughty for Engineering support.

Paging THOMAS Ozell of McKeesport, PA. If you are not deceased, please contact me about your vacant, tax delinquent property on Hancock St. in Polish Hill.

It seems you haven't paid taxes in 5+ years on either property in your name in the Allegheny County Property Real Estate Database.

I want to buy it, or at least ensure that someone reputable has legal title to it.

But I have a sneaking suspicion that someone (not me) is going to spend thousands of dollars tracking down your next of kin.

Preliminary demolition started: The last two weekends I’ve worked extensively inside the 329 Hancock to demolish and excavate interior walls as well as plaster ceilings (Plaster+Lathboard) between the 1st and second floor (with the goal of exposing all remaining joists to help carpenters and structural engineers assess the extent of water damage.) A full weekend of demolition is tentatively planned for the weekend of 4/13, with the requisition of a mini dumpster (10 cubic yards). I need to notify the neighbors about parking).

Floorplans and 3D Design Renderings from Tai+Lee delivered. Very promising results.

I got bent! Well, at least this 1/2" EMT did. My very first conduit bend.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104636252182283970301/albums/posts/5722175114693347170

Conduit for temporary exterior lighting run. Should illuminate Hancock St for security, and protect contractors, and also illuminate space where the construction sign will go.

So my long-term savings with Clearview Federal Credit Union may be moot; they are not offering new residential construction loans any longer (a la 2008)

Fifth/Third (5/3) bank doesn't seem to want to call me back.

Dollar Bank is telling me that 20% down-payment is a non-negotiable position, even aftering to collateralize my retirement and other educational savings accounts.

$30k in cash at $150k is probably the most I could muster, and I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with the monthly mortgage payment above $150k in principal.

On the topic of Patience:

Time to get Verizon DSL Activated [Ordered Dec 8th, Sync Light Ceases Flashing Jan 23rd] Time to activate AC Electrical Service: [Panel installed Dec 15th, Ordered Duquesne Light Jan 13th, Activated Feb 17th] Time to purchase 329 Hancock St: 3+ Years

I met with Tai+Lee on Tuesday to review the preliminary design approaches for 329 Hancock St.. They have developed several permutations of a floor plan based on the general design details I’ve provided them as guidance (From my self-developed floor plans in 2008). I’m very pleased with the results of their design efforts; one design being a direct representation of my 2008 layout, and two variations on theme which add both practical modifications with respect mostly to LEED for Homes’ square-footage-to-bedroom occupancy ratio.